DES MOINES – Following a tour of communities impacted by flooding, Governor Kim Reynolds will hold a press conference today about the latest. Several state and federal proclamations have provided aid to dozens of Iowa Counties impacted by widespread severe weather and flooding in the state. Reynolds made visits to Rock Valley, Spencer, and Sioux Rapids on Wednesday. IOWA – While the traffic fatality count in Iowa is down so far in 2024, the month of July has been on pace for a higher amount of deaths on state roadways. The Iowa DOT traffic count reported 149 people had died in vehicle crashes so far in 2024, but the month of July is on pace for 49 deaths, which would be among the worst on record. The Iowa State Patrol reminds drivers to obey posted traffic laws and to avoid driving while excessively speeding or distracted. ESTHERVILLE – Four record flood crests were reported along the Des Moines River basin in June. The National Weather Service reports high marks were reported along the west fork of the river in northwest Iowa in the communities of Estherville, Emmetsburg, and Humboldt. The previous records for those locations was during Spring 1969 flood event. OSKALOOSA – The Oskaloosa community is mourning the loss of a school administrator while he was on vacation. The district announced the death of Mark Scholes in a swimming accident in Lake Michigan over the weekend. The school is offering grief counseling today.    

IOWA – Tuesday was deadly on Iowa’s roadways, according to the Iowa State Patrol. The state police agency reported three separate fatal crashes in Carroll, Black Hawk, and Wayne Counties. Among those who died in crashes were 84 year old Larry McDanel and 70 year old Linda mcDanel of Exline, Ronald Eischeid of Carroll, and an unidentified individual from Mondamin. DICKINSON COUNTY – A trial is underway for a man accused of killing an Algona police officer in 2023. WHO-13 reports testimony as started as Kyle Ricke faces charges in relation to the death of Kevin Cram. Several witnesses testified against Ricke, including law enforcement and family members. ROLFE – Law enforcement is searching for a Pocahontas County man they consider dangerous. KCCI-TV reports Nathan Edward Nickless is wanted for allegedly fleeing U.S. Marshals. The search is centered near the town of Rolfe.        

OSAGE – A Republican is retiring from the Iowa Senate just weeks after winning a primary to put himself on the November ballot. The Des Moines Register reports Senator Waylon Brown gave no reason as to why he’s leaving his seat, effective Wednesday. Brown served as the Majority Whip and represented Worth, Mitchell, and Cerro Gordo counties. The senator won his primary by just a few points over challenger Doug Campbell. ALTOONA – The process begins soon for a potential new casino in Cedar Rapids. KCRG reports the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission is expected to review an application by the Linn County Gaming Association and Peninsula Pacific Entertainment. The new casino, if approved, would provide 8% of revenue to local non-profits. The joint applicants updated a 2021 application after previous attempts failed. ANKENY – A juvenile was killed in a two-vehicle crash in Ankeny Sunday. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office reports the head-on crash led to the death of the teen. All three individuals in both vehicles were minors.  

DICKINSON COUNTY – The Iowa State Patrol reported two fatalities over the weekend on Iowa’s roadways. The first occurred Saturday evening in Cedar County. A Mazda CX-9 was northbound on Cedar Valley Road and crossed the center line, colliding with a Polaris Off-Road Vehicle heading south. One person has died, and was not identified by police. Two others were injured. The second crash was reported later Saturday in Dickinson County. A Kia Stinger operated by 18-year-old Teagan Vos of Sheldon left a curve on a rural road and overturned. A passenger identified as 19-year-old Edith Lupercio-Lopez of Sioux Center died and Vos was critically injured. PLEASANT HILL – A lawsuit has been filed for more than $300,000 a contractor believes its owed by the Southeast Polk School District for work on a new football stadium. The Des Moines Register reports Central Iowa Dirtworks alleges both the school district and main contractor Graphic Construction Group breached a mutual contract. CID received a $2.7 million contract to work as a subcontractor in June 2021. The school district countered, saying their board has yet to formally approve the final project and that the funds will be released upon that motion. MADISON COUNTY – Police are investigating three separate crashes in Madison County that all occurred on Saturday night. KCCI-TV reports two of the incidents occurred at the same time. Two people were injured, and one incident was a hit-and-run, according to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office.

IOWA – Voter registration numbers show Republicans are gaining in terms of new participants. KCRG-TV reports the GOP has 782,177 listed in their party, an increase of just over 33,000. Democrats have dropped from 672,490 to 650,112. At this point last year, Democrats had a registration edge in three of the four congressional districts, but Republicans now have that same edge statewide in each. IOWA – The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that low-income Iowa residents recovering from the impact of flooding beginning June 16th could be eligible for a helping hand from the USDA’s Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program . Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said that approximately 4,000 households that may not normally be eligible under regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program rules may qualify for D-SNAP – if they meet certain criteria, including the disaster income limits and have qualifying disaster-related expenses. DES MOINES – Fireworks season has not been kind to parks in Iowa’s capital. KCCI-TV reports Des Moines Parks and Recreation has found damage due to Independence Day celebrations in 19 parks, with more expected to be discovered. Des Moines Police reported more than 700 fireworks-related complaints from July 1st through the 5th. COUNCIL BLUFFS – Google announced plans to spend $1 billion in Council Bluffs. Radio Iowa reports Google opened a data center in 2009 and another four years later. The corporation announced plans to expand to Cedar Rapids this past spring.