IOWA – Confidence continues to increase about a potential winter storm impacting a large portion of the state after the Thanksgiving holiday. The National Weather Service continues to monitor a system set to impact Iowans mainly Friday evening through Sunday morning. While snowfall totals continue to be difficult to forecast, meteorologists are confident that travel will be impacted during that time, especially on Saturday. The Iowa DOT is preparing for widespread plow operations for the first time this winter. MARSHALLTOWN – Marshalltown police have arrested a man they believe is responsible for a deadly hit-and-run in November. WHO-13 reports 36-year-old Edgar Yepez Diaz has been charged with homicide by vehicle, leaving the scene of a crash while causing death, and child endangerment. Police claim Yepez Diaz was the driver of a vehicle that killed 30-year-old Melanie Nelson on November 1st. URBANDALE – An Iowa school superintendent is set to return from medical leave despite an ongoing investigation by the Iowa Attorney General’s Office. KCCI-TV reports Urbandale Superintendent Rosalie Daca is scheduled to be back at work on December 1st. The Iowa Board of Education claims Daca falsified reports and violated education laws, while the school district denies the accusations.

DES MOINES— Governor Kim Reynolds announced she will present former Governor of Iowa and U.S Ambassador to China Terry Branstad the Iowa Award in a ceremony at the Iowa State Capitol. The Iowa Award is the state’s highest citizen award. The Iowa Centennial Memorial Foundation, established in 1948 by Governor Robert D. Blue and the Iowa Legislature, created the award. COUNCIL BLUFFS – A Red Oak man was sentenced to 27 years in federal prison for sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child pornography. According to public court documents, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received CyberTips that an account, later determined to be associated with 51-year-old Tracy Brian Schooling uploaded files and possessed more than 300 videos and 300 images containing child sexual abuse material. IOWA – The final USDA Crop Progress and Condition report for 2025 has been released — marking two updates after the Federal Government shutdown. The document updated in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Agriculture shows the 2025 harvest is complete. Topsoil moisture condition rated 4 percent very short, 27 percent short, 67 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus.

DES MOINES – A report commissioned by the Des Moines Public School Board claims the search firm hired to review details about now-former Superintendent Ian Roberts missed several concerns before his hire, or did not disclose them to the district. The Des Moines Register reports the Dickinson Bradshaw law firm claims that JG Consulting did not inform the board about Roberts use of a false resume and doctored transcript prior to his hiring. It also alleges the search firm did not vet Roberts or his immigration status — he was arrested in September and faces deportation. The law firm also claims that JG did not use E-verify, despite implications it would. IOWA – A total of 244 people have died on Iowa’s roadways, approximately 20% below the five-year average as the holiday travel season ramps up. The Iowa DOT reports an average 58 people have been killed in crashes statewide in November and December combined since 2020. The Iowa State Patrol reminds all drivers to obey posted speed laws, wear seatbelts, and avoid driving while intoxicated or distracted by devices, especially with additional vehicles expected during the Thanksgiving holiday travel weekend. IOWA – Meteorologists are monitoring a potentially impactful precipitation system across the state after Thanksgiving. The National Weather Service is cautioning that a system could track into the state Friday evening and impact Iowans through Monday morning. What, if any snow, remains to be determined, but much colder air will settle into the state by Wednesday, which has increased the concerns about an impactful winter weather system. More forecast details are expected by the middle of the week.

FAYETTE – A Fayette man died in an ATV crash on Friday afternoon. The Iowa State Patrol reports 84-year-old Veryl Burghardt was driving a four-wheeler on a rural road, when it crashed in a ditch. The man later died from his injuries. Several Fayette County agencies responded. DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the first influenza-related death of the 2025-26 respiratory virus season. The individual was an older adult from southwest Iowa. Iowa’s most recent Respiratory Virus Surveillance Report shows the virus at a very low level of activity, and hospitals are currently reporting low patient admission rates. Although flu activity in Iowa is currently low, Iowans can take a few simple precautions to keep themselves and their families healthy throughout the respiratory virus season. Vaccination protects from serious illness and death from respiratory diseases like flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). DES MOINES – A 13-page report released this week summarizes the hiring process of former Des Miones Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts. The document details what board members knew and was created by a Des Moines law firm on behalf of the board. A special session was held Friday to release the document. Roberts was arrested in late-September by federal immigration officers. The district is in a litigation battle with JG Consulting, the group that recommended Roberts following a background check and other factors.

DES MOINES – A federal grand jury in Des Moines charged a Des Moines man with computer fraud. The Indictment alleges that 34-year-old Ezekiel Dean Potter after being terminated by his employer in April 2023, accessed or attempted to access to the employer’s computer systems without the employer’s authorization. When he gained access, Potter reset usernames and passwords for the employer’s accounts and deleted or revoked access to employer’s accounts. The Indictment alleges Potter engaged in this conduct for over a year and a half—from May 14, 2023, until at least January 16, 2025. WEST DES MOINES – An Iowa nursing home has been sued at least 17 times for wrongful death and negligence since 2024. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports Care Initiatives, a non-profit based in West Des Moines, oversees 43 nursing homes in the state. Several cases have been settled in the last 16 months, while some remain in litigation. IOWA – Thanksgiving travel should likely be much colder than the anticipated above average temperatures expected this weekend in the state. The National Weather Service shows after highs will top 60 for many this Saturday and Sunday, much colder air could be settling in during one of the busiest travel days of the year on Wednesday. Forecasters caution it’s still too early to determine, what, if any, precipitation comes with the colder air over the holiday, and more details about the possibility will become clearer by early next week.