WAUKEE – A Kansas man was sentenced this week to just over 19 years in federal prison for transportation of child pornography from his previous home in Iowa.  Thirty-three-year old Derek Levi Hendrickson transported three internet capable computer devices across state lines in September 2022 when he moved to Waukee. Those devices – two cell phones and a laptop computer – contained thousands of images and videos of child pornography. At the time of his offense, Hendrickson was a registered sex offender due to a 2015 Kansas state conviction. MASON CITY – A Mason City woman was killed after she was hit by a vehicle in the community Wednesday evening. The Iowa State Patrol reports a juvenile was driving a GMC Envoy and struck 42-year-old Jennifer Dawn Buls-Vrba. Several agencies are investigating the cause. MARSHALLTOWN – A middle school in Marshalltown could be on the path toward renovation ahead of its century birthday. KCCI-TV reports residents are working to get a ballot measure on the November ballot to update Miller Middle School. The district says millions of dollars in renovations are needed to update the facility, especially as it relates to air conditioning and outdated mechanical systems.    

LINN COUNTY – A quadruple murder trial is on hold for a psychiatrist’s evaluation of the suspect accused of killing four people in June. KCRG-TV reports 34-year-old Luke Truesdell of Marion was arrested after three of those individuals were found dead and a fourth was found gravely wounded from an apparent attack with a metal pipe. Attorneys claim Truesdell may be suffering from a mental disorder. A follow-up hearing will be held in August. DES MOINES – Additional layoffs are on the docket for a major agricultural manufacturer in Iowa. KCCI-TV reports John Deere will reduce additional workforce. The company cites increased costs and declining sales. There was no number given, but some impacted employees told the TV station they had received their notice on Wednesday. JASPER COUNTY – One person died in a head-on collision in Jasper County. WHO-13 reports the crash was reported south of Newton on a county road. The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office is unsure as to why a vehicle driven by 41-year-old Michael Croy crossed the centerline, but he died as a result from his injuries; the other driver was hurt, but not seriously.    

DES MOINES – A law banning most abortions of Iowa will start next week. The Associated Press reports the bill signed by Governor Kim Reynolds in a special session last year goes into effect on Monday. The Iowa Supreme Court ruled in June in favor of Republicans who had a previous effort to ban abortions in Iowa rejected. IOWA – State Auditor Rob Sand found that the Iowa Department of Education did not follow their own policies in renew the contract of the administrator of the new school voucher program. WHO-13 reports the audit found the original contract with Odyssey for Education Savings Accounts was amended in July of 2023 after the initial agreement was formed that April. The contract pays the company $2.7 million for administration and required Odyssey to have an office in Iowa, which was listed as the State Capitol. WINTERSET – An annual bike ride across the state is benefiting from seasonably cool to average temperatures. KCCI-TV reports an estimated riders converged on Winterset Tuesday for RAGBRAI. The tradition will continue through central Iowa today before pushing toward the Mississippi River by Saturday.

IOWA – The Iowa Delegation to the 2024 Democratic National Convention met virtually on Monday to discuss the 2024 Presidential Nomination and decided to unanimously endorse Vice President Kamala Harris. Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart, who also chairs the Iowa delegation to the convention, joined several members of the party across the nation rallying behind Harris following President Joe Biden’s decision to drop out of the 2024 election. Republican members of Iowa’s congressional delegation have called on Biden to resign entirely from his position, but the 46th president intends on finishing his term. IOWA – A cooler, drier week provided farmers with nearly six full days of suitable fieldwork, according to the latest Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and USDA reported the state remained saturated as it relates to soil, with 11 percent of both topsoil and subsoil moisture levels reported as short. More than 95% of the state’s crops all rated fair or better, including corn, hay, oats, and soybeans. BURLINGTON – A Burlington man was sentenced to ten years in federal prison for attempting to entice a minor. According to public court documents, Corey Lee Ritz, 48, engaged in a Facebook conversation with an undercover officer posing as a 15-year-old female. Ritz proceeded to graphically describe the kinds of sex acts he would like to perform if they met in person and suggested to the undercover agent they should include another minor in a proposed meeting. After completing his term of imprisonment, Ritz will be required to serve five years of supervised release.

IOWA – Following President Joe Biden’s announcement he no longer intends to run for a second term, Iowa’s Republican leadership joined those across the country in demanding he resign before the November election. The Des Moines Register reports Governor Kim Reynold and Representatives Zach Nunn, Ashley Hinson, and Mariannette Miller-Meeks were among those calling for Biden to end his career. Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart disagreed, saying Biden has earned the right to finish the term as the party determines a new nominee leading into the August national party convention. DES MOINES – An Ankeny man is heading to Paris for the Paralympics. Justin Phongsavanh will compete for gold in the seated Javelin. The now Georgia native will join several current and former Iowans at the Summer games, including UNI Graduate Erin Kerkhoff. PHOENIX – An Olympics snub didn”t leave too much of a sour taste for the reigning NCAA Women’s Basketball player of the year. Former Iowa Hawkeye Caitlin Clark was among the WBNA All-Stars who toppled the U.S. National Team over the weekend, according to KCRG-TV, winning 117-108. Clark says she’s looking forward to the upcoming break, not getting much after her historic senior season with the Hawkeyes, the WBNA Draft, and the professional season this summer.