CLARKE COUNTY – A hit-and-run crash involving a horse-drawn buggy in Clarke County is the fourth fatal incident involving both types of vehicles in the last ten years. WHO-13 reports 16-year-old Elmer Borntrager died after a vehicle struck the rear of his buggy south of Murray on Wednesday evening. The Iowa DOT reports this is the 83rd crash between a motor vehicle and a horse-drawn buggy in Iowa since 2015. As of early this morning, the suspect remained at-large. IOWA – Iowa families who reply on SNAP benefits will have their benefits restored as soon as today. KCCI-TV reports the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services announced that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funding should be available now. Recipients are encouraged to check balances before making purchases. IOWA – While the usual crop progress report was unavailable for several weeks during the harvest season during the federal government shutdown, the Iowa Department of Agriculture believes that time is coming to a close. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports that Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says the first snowfall of the season this past week marked the end of the growing season and that based on observations from his staff, that the corn and soybean harvest is wrapping up this week.

DAVENPORT, Iowa – Two Quad Cities men were sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a racketeering conspiracy. According to public court documents, the racketeering conspiracy involved the Fifth Street gang, which operated as a criminal enterprise responsible for numerous acts of violence, including murder and attempted murder in the Quad Cities. Rasheem Damonte Bogan was sentenced on October 9 to 27 years in federal prison and Kylea Dapri Cartwright, Jr., was sentenced on November 6 to 30 years in federal prison. In total, 14 defendants, were convicted of federal crimes related to the Fifth Street Gang’s criminal conduct between April 2006 and February 2024. DES MOINES – Gov. Kim Reynolds ordered all flags in Iowa remain at half-staff from sunrise to sunset today in honor and remembrance of former Iowa Senator and Iowa Board of Regents member Larry McKibben. A Marshalltown native, McKibben served in the Iowa Senate from 1997 to 2010. McKibben died Sunday from Alzheimer’s Disease. Flags on the State Capitol Building, flag displays in the Capitol Complex, and on all public buildings, grounds and facilities statewide are currently at half-staff in honor of former Vice President Dick Cheney.SAYLOR TOWNSHIP – An Iowa distillery has filed a federal lawsuit for alleged mishandling of a permit and costing the company millions of dollars. The Des Moines Register repots Red Boot Distillery is suing the United States government, claiming an agency with the U.S. Treasury was negligent in handling documents. An issue occurred when the distillery changed ownership just before obtaining a federal permit, with the government agency claiming it was not property operating. The Saylor Township company is suing for at least $3.5 million.

KEOSAUQUA – Ahead of a vote to reopen the government, U.S. Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks held an in-person town hall in Keosauqua, facing a crowd frustrated by what’s happening in Washington D.C. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports Miller-Meeks was jeered at by several members of the audience over her positions and votes in the current term. She had been criticized about a lack of voter interaction, but held a remote-town hall on October 15th. Miller-Meeks will run again first in a primary to defend her seat, which has been rated as a toss-up by most major political forecasters. AMES – The Iowa Board of Regents have selected the next president of Iowa State University. WHO-13 reports David Cook was selected to replace the outgoing Wendy Wintersteen in March. Cook is the president of North Dakota State University and a graduate of Iowa State. IOWA – Several Iowans had quite the show in the skies on Tuesday night. According to the National Weather Service in Des Moines, multiple photos were sent in for the aurora borealis, or Northern Lights. The phenomenon was last spotted in the state late in the spring of 2024. There will be additional chances for viewing tonight. IOWA – After many Iowans received their first snow of the year, near record highs are possible by the end of this week. Daytime highs will continue to climb over the next few days, up into the low-to-mid 70s for some by Friday and Saturday. The record highs those days in Des Moines are 73 and 75 respectively.

IOWA FALLS – The Iowa Falls Police Department has identified the three people found dead at a home Sunday morning with gunshot wounds. In a release, a shooting was caused by a domestic situation. The two victims have been named as 42-year-old Jessica Marie Bennett and 51-year-old Alan Jandro Karalius of Garner. Forty-five year old Shawn Michael Bean was also found dead from a self-inflicted wound after shooting the other two and an unidentified third person who was injured. HUMBOLDT – A Hardy woman was killed in Humboldt in a crash impacted by snow and ice over the weekend. The Iowa State Patrol reports a Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by 60-year-old Debora Lei Ruberg was traveling on Highway 3 before losing control and entering the eastbound lane. The jeep was struck by a tractor trailer traveling in the opposite direction. Ruberg died from her injuries. ALBIA – An Iowa high school is holding virtual classes today after possible exposure of carbon monoxide to several students and staff. KCCI-TV reports the Albia School District is looking into multiple cases of individuals not feeling well and leaving school Friday, including one who went to the emergency room for exposure to the deadly gas. The Albia Junior-Senior High building had additional carbon monoxide detectors installed, but more students and staff showed signs of exposure on Monday, prompting the virtual learning day.

IOWA FALLS – Three people were found dead and another transported to a hospital in Iowa Falls with gunshot wounds over the weekend. An investigation is underway for the shooting, according to WHO-13, which apparently occurred Sunday morning. Several agencies are looking into possible motive, but there was no danger to the public as a result. IOWA – An Iowa Capital Dispatch report shows 18 of 43 school bond issues proposed to voters during last week’s election received the supermajority needed for passage. There were 15 elections that had a majority vote yes, but that did not clear the required 60% threshold, with ten of those failing to get above 50 percent. In total, voters had to decided on a combined $1.44 billion in projects.DES MOINES – The Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa has announced the theme for 2026. The “Iowa Classic” aims to honor the 250th anniversary of the United States as a country, and Iowa’s 180th as a state. The route will be announced in January for the July 18th to 26th bike ride.