Category: State News

SHELBY COUNTY – A Westphalia resident was killed in a collision in Shelby County on Sunday afternoon. The Iowa State Patrol reports a Chevy Equinox was traveling north on Highway 59 preparing to turn onto County Road F32 before colliding with a motorcycle. Sixty-three year old Francis Rueschenberg died as a result of the crash.

OMAHA – A missing eight-year-old child from Iowa was found safe in Omaha, with the alleged kidnapper now in custody. KCCI-TV reports an endangered persons advisory was issued in Shelby County at teh same time as a kidnapping warrant for 51-year-old Garry McBreen. The Nebraska State Patrol located the man with the boy at an Omaha McDonald’s.

DES MOINES – Lawmakers will end up using roughly $1.2 billion in reserve funds to cover spending in the state this upcoming fiscal year. The Des Moines Register reports Republican majorities approved $9.65 billion in expenditures starting July 1st, a 1.4 percent increase from 2026. The state is generating $8.47 billion in revenue due to recent tax cuts.

DES MOINES – The former Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent was sentenced to two years in federal prison for false statement for employment and illegal alien in possession of firearms. According to public court documents, 54-year-old Ian Andre Roberts, a Guyanese citizen, falsely stated that he was a United States citizen on employment paperwork related to his position at the Des Moines Public Schools in June 2023. Roberts was not authorized to work in the United States except for an 18-month period between July 2018 and February 2020. After completing his prison sentence, Roberts will serve a three-year term of supervised release, which will be non-reporting if he is removed from the United States.

BREMER COUNTY – A Des Moines man has been charged in relation to a Bremer County crash that killed an Urbandale man last year. WHO-13 reports Lal Pui Liana Puia Sai Lo was arrested and faces counts of homicide by vehicle and serious injury by vehicle. Criminal complaints indicate that Puia Sai Lo failed to yield at an intersection. According to the Iowa State Patrol, 41-year-old Lungawia Chalthleng died in the August 2025 collision.

IOWA – President Donald Trump has endorsed one of five Republicans trying to become the next governor of the state. KCCI-TV reports Congressman Randy Feenstra received the backing of the White House. He faces State Representative Eddie Andrews, businessman Zach Lahn, former State Representative Brad Sherman, and former Director of Iowa Administrative Services Adam Steen in Tuesday’s primary election.

WEBSTER CITY – A wanted Woolstock man was arrested and faces several charges. WHO-13 reports the Webster City Police Department and several other agencies arrested 42-year-old Jeffrey Scott Johnson after an off-duty officer spotted the man on Wednesday. More than a dozen chargers were field against Johnson on Thursday, including those for kidnapping, sexual abuse, stalking, and domestic abuse.

DES MOINES – A trial date has been set for a woman accused of shooting and killing another woman in Des Moines in April. KCCI-TV reports Sharneeka Evans has pled not guilty to first-degree murder. She’s accused of killing Ashley Hall at a Des Moines apartment earlier this spring. The trial date has been set for July 27th.

DES MOINES – Iowa waters are starting to get busy as summer heat entices many to local beaches, rivers and lakes to cool off and have some fun. With the peak of the boating season only a few weeks away, the Iowa DNR reminds boaters to stay alert and keep safety in mind every time they are on the water. Many Iowans enjoyed time on the water during the long holiday weekend last week. Iowa DNR Conservation Officers and Water Patrol Officers worked through more than 200 calls for service over the busy Memorial Day weekend.

DES MOINES – The former superintendent of the Des Moines Schools arrested for federal immigration, fraud, and firearms charges will be sentenced on Friday. KCCI-TV reports the lawyers for Ian Roberts argue his pending deportation will be a harsh enough sentence and that he should receive probation for his guilty plea. Prosecutors mistakenly released a memo this week recommending a 37-month sentence.

IOWA – Many Iowa families are preparing to receive assistance to feed children during the summer months. WHO-13 reports Iowa is participating in SUN Bucks, or the federal Summer EBT program, after skipping out on the resource the last two years. Last year, Governor Kim Reynolds endorsed sending food boxes through food pantries rather than direct financial benefit. This summer, eligible children will receive $40 per month through the summer.

IOWA CITY – Additional suspects have been arrested in relation to the Iowa City Pedestrian Mall shooting. KCRG-TV reports 17-year-old Ka’Mari Dozier of Cedar Rapids is accused of handing the gun to 17-year-old Damarian Jones, who has been charged with five counts of attempted murder. Also charged is 18-year-old Isaiah Bates. Thirteen others have been charged with inciting a riot.

JEFFERSON COUNTY – The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an accidental shooting that injured a young girl Sunday. KCCI-TV reports deputies responded to the incident with an unintentional discharged of a weapon. The girl was airlifted to a hospital.

CLINTON COUNTY – Officials have released the names of the people who died in a UTV crash in Clinton County over the weekend. WHO-13 reports 61-year-old Lon Leroy Bennett and four-year-old Harold L. Bennet were killed when the UTV they were driving was traveling along a trail in the area. For an unknown reason, the UTV went off the trail, crashed into a watercourse, and flipped onto its top.

IOWA CITY – The Iowa City Community School District continued its search for an interim superintendent on Tuesday. KCRG-TV reports Superintendent Matt Degner announced his resignation following concerns about finances in the district. Degner cited family health concerns for leaving. The district used a $10 million loan to cover payroll last fall.