Author: Tyler Crabb

DES MOINES— In a special election that was held on Tuesday, Democrat Renee Hardman was elected to the Iowa State Senate. KCCI-TV reports that Hardman bested Republican Lucas Loftin by an overwhelming margin to win the seat representing parts of Des Moines’ suburbs. The seat became vacant after the death of Democrat State Senator Claire Celsi on October 6th. Hardman, who is the CEO of the nonprofit Lutheran Services of Iowa and a member of the West Des Moines City Council, is the first Black woman elected to the Senate. Hardman’s election denied Republicans’ bid to reclaim a supermajority, or two-thirds control of the Senate. Democrats had flipped a Republican seat in a special election in August, giving Democrats 17 seats to the Republicans’ 33 seats.

SIOUX CITY (KTIV) – A pet food company in Sioux City is recalling two of its products due to the possibility of Salmonella contamination. KTIV-TV reports that a recall notice posted on the FDA website stated that Consumers Supply Distributing of Sioux City is recalling their four-pound bags of Country Vet Biscuits- Original Meaty Flavor and Heartland Harvest Dog Biscuits – Meaty Flavor with Chicken. According to the notice, the products have expiration dates of September 6th, 2026, and were sold in stores in Iowa, Nebraska, and five other states. There have been no reported illnesses related to the issue that was discovered by FDA sampling, and customers that bought affected bags can return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

TAMPA, FLORIDA—The Iowa Hawkeyes closed out 2025 by earning their first win over a ranked opponent since 2021. Quarterback Mark Gronowski totaled three total touchdowns in leading the #23 ranked Hawkeyes past #14 ranked Vanderbilt in a 34-27 victory in the ReliaQuest Bowl on New Year’s Eve. The win gave head coach Kirk Ferentz his 11th career bowl win, giving him the most bowl wins in Big Ten History. Iowa finishes the season with a 9-4 overall record, marking the 11th time Iowa has won at least nine games since Ferentz took over the program.

MARSHALLTOWN— Marshalltown authorities arrested a suspect in connection to a report of shots fired in the Marshalltown High School parking lot earlier this month. KCCI-TV reports that authorities arrested 18-year-old Jace Antonio Vargas of Marshalltown on Monday, following the incident on December 18th. Marshalltown police had responded to a report of a person firing shots at people in the high school parking lot at around 4:45 pm, when school was not in session. According to court records, Vargas allegedly tried to rob the victims of drugs, before firing shots at the victims when they tried to drive away. Vargas is facing several felony charges, including attempted murder, first-degree robbery, carrying a weapon on school grounds and going armed with intent. He also faces multiple misdemeanor charges.

DUBUQUE— A former Iowa High School football coach is scheduled to appear in court early next week for a plea and sentencing hearing. According to KCRG-TV, 40-year-old former Dubuque Senior High School football coach Darrell Moore is expected to enter into a guilty plea on January 5th, after he was accused of stealing over $47,000 in funds from the Dubuque Independent Football League. Court records indicate that the funds were deposited into Moore’s FanDuel account, and were also used to pay for his Roku account, purchases at grocery stores, gas stations, and restaurants. Court records also alleged that Moore used the funds at golf courses and to make hotel reservations, and other online purchases. As part of the plea deal for a first-degree theft charge, the court is planning deferred judgement after 24 months of informal probation, along with $15,000 in restitution.

SIOUX CITY— An 18-year-old from Council Bluffs is facing arson charges after firefighters in Sioux City were called to a fire at a fast-food restaurant. KTIV reports that first responders were called to the Wendy’s on Gordon Drive in Sioux City on Tuesday for the report of a fire. Sioux City Police say the call came in around 9 am, and that customers and employees were evacuated from the building. Sioux City Police identified the suspect as 18-year-old Malachi Neylon, who was located at a separate business a short distance from the Wendy’s. Neylon faces one count of first-degree arson and one count of fourth-degree criminal mischief. Under Iowa law, a first-degree arson charge carries a possible sentence of 25 years in prison.

DES MOINES— Governor Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced Monday that Iowa has been awarded funding through the Rural Health Transformation Program. The program is a federal initiative managed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Iowa’s proposal, Healthy Hometowns, will receive $209 million for the first year of implementation. The program is Iowa’s plan to strengthen health care in rural communities, by making care more accessible, connected, and patient focused.

DES MOINES— Several cases of avian flu in Central Iowa have been confirmed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. KCCI-TV reports dozens of dead birds were discovered at Maffitt Reservoir, south of Highway 5, while there have been more reports from Saylorville and Copper Creek. According to the Iowa DNR, Maffitt Reservoir has been closed to allow workers to remove the birds. The Iowa DNR adds that the birds pose no threat to Iowa’s water quality.

MADISON COUNTY— Former Madison County Treasurer Amanda DeVos had a third felony charge added to the case against her, bringing the total number of criminal charges to six. WHO-TV reports that the 38-year-old former county treasurer was arrested in January for allegedly altering government records using her access as treasure to make it appear she had paid her vehicle registration plates in October of 2024 when she had not. DeVos was initially charged with a Class D felony for felonious misconduct and three aggravated misdemeanors for tampering with records, fraudulent practices in the third degree, and third-degree theft. Last week, an amended filing showed additional felony charges of fraudulent practices in the second degree and felonious misconduct related to her personal property taxes in May of 2024.

ANDERSON, Ind. — A single-engine airplane that departed from Fort Dodge on Friday morning crashed in Indiana. Four people were on board the Piper PA-46 aircraft that crashed around 9 am in Anderson, Indiana and there were no survivors according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The individuals were identified on Saturday as Joseph Scallon, 68, of Iowa Falls; Jesse Ostheimer, 41, of Alden; Braden Hicks, 36, of Manson; and Owen Renaud, 19, of Alden. The CBS-News affiliate in Indianapolis reported that the single-engine plane was reportedly told to reroute while attempting to land at the Anderson Municipal Airport due to coming in at too high an altitude. The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.

MILFORD — One person was injured after a motorcycle accident in Milford on Saturday. KTIV-TV reports that the Milford Police Department responded to the accident just after 6:15 Saturday night. Milford Police said an on-scene investigation revealed that a 2013 Harley Davidson Street Glide driven by 49-year-old Chad Banks had left the roadway and rolled. The police department said that Banks was found unresponsive when they arrived, and CPR efforts were performed. Banks was then transported by ambulance to Lakes Region Hospital for treatment, before being transferred to Avera Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota with debilitating injuries. Officers said the accident is still under investigation.

IOWA CITY — Redshirt freshman kicker Kyle Konrardy delivered in the clutch Saturday afternoon, nailing a 54 yard field with five seconds left to lift Iowa State past Iowa 20-19. Cyclone quarterback Rocco Becht completed three of his four passes for 42 yards on the final drive to set up the game winning kick. The visiting team has now won each of the last five games in the annual Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series.

OSKALOOSA — A Pennsylvania man is facing charges after authorities say he made online threats toward an Iowa juvenile. The Oskaloosa Police Department says it received a report Wednesday of an online threat of bodily harm to a juvenile in the city. KCCI-TV reports that officers worked with the Oskaloosa Community School District to follow up on the threat and eventually found a person of interest in Altoona, Pennsylvania. The police department in Altoona, Pennsylvania verified the identity of the suspect and have charged 19-year-old Patrick McIntire with first-degree harassment and threat of arson, which is a felony.

WATERLOO — Waterloo Police recovered a man’s body from the Cedar River Thursday night. KWWL-TV reports that officers responded to the Waterloo Boat House around 7:30 p.m. for a report that a man was fishing along the river before falling in. They believe he suffered a medical event prior to falling in. Upon pulling the man out of the river, he was pronounced dead at the scene. No foul play is suspected and the victim’s identity has not been released. 

AMES — A substantial makeover is underway for Iowa State University’s 66-year-old LeBaron Hall. The Des Moines Register reports that demolition started on Thursday to make way for the new home of Iowa State’s College of Human Sciences. Bundled with additional renovations of McKay Hall and the Human Nutritional Science Building, the estimated $51.5 million project will replace LeBaron Hall, complete with a three-story building with classrooms, a multipurpose courtyard and renovated lobbies. LeBaron Hall’s demolition and replacement will cost $39 million. The entire project was made possible through private donations and university funds.