Category: State News

COUNCIL BLUFFS – A Missouri Valley man has died in a crash along Interstate 29 after his stationary vehicle was struck from behind. The Iowa State Patrol reports a Chevy Ram was stopped in the traveling portion of the interstate on Monday afternoon for an unknown reason. The truck was struck from behind by a semi. Sixty-year-old Donald Marks was pronounced dead at the scene, and the semi driver suffered minor injuries.

JOHNSTON – The Iowa Gold Star Military Museum held Memorial Day traditions to honor fallen soldiers. KCCI-TV reports the annual event includes a free military breakfast, the laying of a wreath, and the firing of a howitzer. This year’s ceremony highlighted the loss of Iowa service members overseas in the past year, including Staff Sgts. Nate Howard and Edgar Torres-Tovar, as well as Maj. Jeffrey O’Brien and Sergeant Declan Coady.

PARKERSBURG – Monday marked 18 years since an EF-5 tornado destroyed large portions of Parkersburg. WHO-13 reports on May 25th, 2008, the devastating storm also caused extensive damage in nearby New Hartford. The tornado packed winds of just over 200 MPH and was on the ground for 43 miles. It killed nine people and injured at least 75.

CALAMUS – Two people died when a UTV left a trail and entered water in Clinton County on Sunday. The Iowa State Patrol reports the crash occurred in the afternoon, with the vehicle landing on its top. Both the driver and the passenger died, according to the report. They have not been identified.

DES MOINES – Des Moines Police have made an arrest following a deadly hit-and-run incident. WHO-13 reports 28-year-old Ludvin Zuniga Sarceno is accused of driving a vehicle and hitting a woman early Sunday morning. An investigation and search soon followed after police responded to a call of an injured person in a roadway.

IOWA – Gov. Kim Reynolds ordered all flags in Iowa to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to noon today in honor of Memorial Day and directed that the National League of Families POW/MIA flag also be flown on the Capitol grounds for the entire day. Flags will be at half-staff on the State Capitol Building and on flag displays on the Capitol Complex. Flags will also be at half-staff on all public buildings, grounds and facilities throughout the state.

SIOUX CITY – A northwest Iowa man arrested for a high-speed chase and shooting at police received more than 100 years in prison. KTIV reports 39-year-old Danie Wenzel was guilty of assault on a peace officer using a dangerous weapon, possession with intent to deliver, and two counts of intimidation with a dangerous weapon for an August 2025 incident. Wenzel also pled guilty to a pair of other charges related to a domestic incident. He must serve 20 years before becoming eligible for parole.

MARSHALLTOWN – A Marshall County jury found a man guilty of 2nd degree murder in relation to a 2024 shooting. WHO-13 reports 31-year-old Ilias Julian Lasley received the verdict this week. He’s accused of shooting 28-year-old Mario Murillo and 33-year-old Frances Tillie Gasca following an argument. Lasley was found guilty on one count of murder and two counts of control of a firearm by a felon — and found not guilty on the other first degree murder charge.

DES MOINES – The Iowa Senate Ethics Committee voted on Friday to dismiss a complaint against State Senator Zach Wahls for his employment of the Next 50 Network while serving in the legislature. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports the complaint was filed because the project allegedly violated ethic rules in the senate. Wahls was cleared of any wrongdoing.

GREENFIELD – It’s been two years since a deadly tornado ripped through a southwest Iowa community. WHO-13 reports the community of Greenfield has been recovering, but signs of the May 21st, 2024 EF-5 tornado remain tow years later. The storm with winds briefly topping 300 miles per hour killed five people and injured 35 others. City officials said recovery efforts are approximately 85% complete.

DES MOINES – Iowa’s unemployment rate remained steady in April, according to the latest from Iowa Workforce Development. KCCI-TV reports the percentage remains at 3.3% in Iowa and 4.3% nationally. The number of those not working and seeking employment dropped a bit, and 55,000 open positions are currently listed.

MARION – A Springville woman was sentenced to three years in federal prison on Thursday. KCRG-TV reports 67-year-old Debra Vaughn pled guilty in December to bank fraud for stealing $500,000 from a small business owned by a veteran in Marion. She stole the money from her employer’s bank account through embezzlement, according to court records. She must pay $158,000 in restitution, as the remaining balance was taken from a civil case.

DES MOINES – The National Weather Service confirmed at least 25 tornadoes impacted the state during an active stretch of severe weather this past weekend. KCCI-TV reports damage surveys released on Wednesday highlighted 23 of those on Sunday night, mostly in northwestern Iowa. None of the storms rated higher than an EF-1, and the amount confirmed this weekend has brought the 2026 total to 51 so far this year.

DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation for Emmet, Hancock, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Pocahontas, Winnebago, Woodbury, and Worth Counties in response to severe weather that occurred on May 15th Governor Reynolds’ proclamation allows state resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of this severe weather and activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program and the Disaster Case Advocacy Program for those counties. The proclamation is effective immediately and will remain in effect for 30 days unless terminated or extended.

GILBERT – U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. attended a bill signing by Governor Reynolds on Wednesday. The legislation known as Iowa’s Make America Healthy Again bill was officially made law at Gilbert Elementary, which allows ivermectin to be purchased over-the-counter, and forces the state to obtain waivers from the federal government to establish its own guidelines for SNAP benefit purchases.