Author: Iowa Radio News

DES MOINES – Through the Safe Haven Law, a baby boy, born December 3 is now in the care and custody of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and will be placed with a foster family until permanent placement is determined. This brings the overall total to 74 infants since the law went into effect more than two decades ago. This brings the total to eight cases in 2024, including a baby girl born October 13 and a baby girl born on November 11. In 2023, ten infants were relinquished to HHS custody under the Safe Haven Act Iowa’s Safe Haven Act is an option for parents in crisis who determine they cannot care for an infant up to 90 days old.

AMES – Ames police are investigating an incident Saturday evening in which they found a man suffering from a gunshot wound. According to a release, the department was dispatched to an apartment with medical assistance. The department believes there is no ongoing threat to the public; however, they are investigating the incident as a homicide.

DES MOINES – Hundreds of people received free gas on Sunday as part of a relatively new tradition in Des Moines. KCCI-TV reports Rev. Rob Johnson started the Fueling Hope Giveaway three years ago, this year, donating $30,000 in fuel to those who made to a Kwik Star location at the event.

IOWA – Governor Kim Reynolds directed leadership with the Iowa Department of Public Safety to adhere to any federal orders issued by President-Elect Donald Trump related to immigration. The memo was released by the governor’s office on Friday and is addressed to Commissioner Stephan K. Bayens and Department of Corrections Director Beth Skinner. The memo is an attempt to ensure Iowa law enforcement comply with any criminal investigative efforts related to potential detaining and deporting of immigrants not living in the country legally.

LINN COUNTY – A judge will decide if the trial of a man accused of killing four people will be moved out of Linn County. KCRG-TV reports Luke Truesdell requested a change of venue for four counts of first degree murder, citing dozens of news reports about the alleged incident. Police claim Truesdell admitted to beating four people with a metal pipe and killing them in Marion. Jury selection has yet to begin, and Linn County prosecutors claim it’s too early to try and move the case.

IOWA – The Iowa Department of Education released 2024 fall certified enrollment numbers for public school districts and accredited nonpublic schools as well as open enrollment numbers and participants in the Students First Education Savings Account program for the 2024-25 school year. Public school district certified enrollment was similar to last year at 480,665, with a drop of less than one percent. . A total of 27,866 participants used education savings accounts at an accredited nonpublic school as of the Oct. 1 certified enrollment date.

DES MOINES – A Des Moines man was sentenced to 17 years in federal prison for distributing fentanyl that led to the overdose death of a one-year child. According to court documents, Kenneth Leroy Quinn, also known as “Coach K,” distributed several pills containing fentanyl on April 29, 2023. Quinn’s customer used some of the pills and brought the remaining pills home. The customer’s one-year-old son ingested the fentanyl mixture and died of acute fentanyl toxicity. After completing his term of imprisonment, Quinn will be required to serve a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Quinn was also ordered to pay $1847 in restitution.

ANKENY – The former leader of the Ankeny Chamber of Commerce is accused of stealing $250,000 from the group. KCCI-TV reports Melisa Cox was arrested and accused of theft, money laundering, and unauthorized use of a credit card. An investigation that started in November concluded in Cox losing her role as CEO and President of the chamber and eventual criminal charges.

IOWA – Two Iowa healthcare practitioners have entered into civil settlements to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by submitting false or fraudulent claims to Medicare as part of a telemedicine scheme. Cori Lempiainen has agreed to pay $150,000 to the United States to resolve allegations that between October 4, 2021 and November 11, 2022 she billed Medicare for over 650 claims for office visits and medical discussions she did not provide. Paul Baumert has agreed to pay $14,325.96 to the United States to resolve allegations that between May 16, 2022 and August 26, 2022 he billed Medicare for over 200 claims for office visits and medical discussions that he did not provide

EAGLE GROVE – An Eagle Grove police officer has been arrested and let go from his job following a multiple-week investigation. Twenty-seven year old Colt Richardson was placed into custody this week following allegations of improper contact with a minor. In December, the department received a complaint about Richardson. He faces a charge of Dissemination of Obscene Material to a Minor, a serious misdemeanor. The Wright County Attorney’s Office will consider further charges.

DES MOINES – A proposal by an Iowa Senator to kick off the session would expand Iowa’s 99 counties and territory. WHO-13 reports Republican Mike Bousselot has proposed to purchase the bottom row of counties from Minnesota. While no formal bill has been proposed, the Ankeny resident’s push echoes similar efforts in Indiana to acquire counties from Illinois and from President-elect Donald Trump and his push to acquire Greenland and the Panama Canal.

AMES – The Iowa Board of Regents approved a 30-year development agreement at its Wednesday meeting that allows Iowa State University, Goldenrod Companies and the Iowa State University Research Park to move forward with the CyTown multi-use district. The board’s decision comes after the completion of infrastructure and upgrades to the parking lots between Jack Trice Stadium and the Iowa State Center.

DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds laid out priorities for the first of two years in the general assembly with the annual Condition of the State address Tuesday night. Reynolds highlighted her desire to see restrictions on electronic devices in classrooms, the creation of a “DOGE” task force similar to an advisory council set up by President-Elect Donald Trump, a call for work requirements tied to Medicaid, and significant property tax reform. Republicans hold supermajorities in both legislative chambers and widely support the Governor’s overall agenda.

WASHINGTON D.C. – Senator Joni Ernst indicated her support for Secretary of Defense Nominee Pete Hegseth. Ernst made a statement following a hearing held on Tuesday. Ernst received criticism from fellow Republicans during the lame-duck session in December due to hesitancy in supporting Hegseth, who has drawn criticism for sexual assault allegations, which he dismissed as a smear campaign.

DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds has ordered flags in Iowa to resume full-staff on Inauguration Day. The Des Moines Register reports this is acting against a federal mandate that have them at half-staff for the death of President Jimmy Carter. Reynolds joins Texas Governor Greg Abbott in defying the federal call. Reynolds has ordered the half-staff order to resume following President-elect Donald Trump’s official swearing-in.