ELDORA – A therapist hired to work with at-risk students in Eldora has been fired after being accused of having sex with minors in the facility. WHO-13 reports the State Training School at Eldora let go the currently unidentified individual, who is the subject of an ongoing investigation by Eldora police. The therapist is accused of bringing in contraband and having sex with seven residents, all of whom are likely underage. MONTICELLO – Memorial services have been planned for a Monticello man killed in a shooting. Aaron McAtee died Tuesday at Fareway in Monticello in what police are calling a random act of violence, according to KCRG-TV. A visitation is scheduled on November 14th and a funeral the next day. The suspect has been identified as 38-year-old Nathan Russell of East Dubuque. IOWA – A planned forum with presidential candidates is moving forward despite pressure from the Republican National Committee for invitees to not attend. The Des Moines Register reports Family Leader President Bob Vander Plaats is continuing a Thanksgiving event that has a select list of GOP candidates invited, including Former President Donald Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Senator Tim Scott, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, and Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Those candidates

DES MOINES – The Iowa Supreme Court will hear an appeal regarding the fetal heartbeat abortion ban passed by Iowa lawmakers in the 2023 session. KCCI-TV reports Attorney General Brenna Bird filed a brief to review a Polk County District Court ruling that put a hold on the law that would ban almost all abortions in Iowa. Currently, the medical procedure is legal up to 20 weeks of pregnancy in the state. WEST BEND – A Burt man died when a semi and concrete truck collided in Humboldt County Wednesday evening. The Iowa State Patrol reports a semi and trailer driven by Shane Edward Stanton of Mississippi failed to yield right of way near West Bend, to a concrete truck operated by Taylor Lee Chance, who died from his injuries. Stanton was transported by life flight to the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics. The crash remains under investigation. IOWA CITY – An Iowa Hawkeyes football player who admitted to gambling on other teams at the school will see his career end after the NCAA continued to insist on lengthy punishments for students who violate the rules related to wagering in college sports. The Des Moines Register reports Noah Shannon faces a one year ban — which ends his eligibility, after he initially cooperated in an investigation into betting at both Iowa and Iowa State University conducted by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. Other Hawkeyes also face the punishment — which previously included a lifetime ban from competing. Both Hawkeyes Coaches Kirk Ferentz and Tom Brands blasted the NCAA for being behind the times in relation to wagering laws and technology, and the extreme punishments for those who violate policies that don’t harm competition. WAUKEE – Waukee voters approved continued expansion of one of the fastest growing school districts in Iowa Tuesday. WHO-13 reports a $180 million bond referendum was given the go-ahead in Waukee, which will also the district to build a 12th elementary school and assist with ongoing renovations. The district has grown by 19% over the past five years in terms of enrollment from 2018 to 2023, serving just over 12,500 students compared to 10,500 in 2018.

MONTICELLO – A Fareway employee in Monticello was killed and the man suspected of doing so was shot by police in a subsequent attempt to arrest him Tuesday. The City of Monticello Police say they were dispatched to the grocery store to assist with 48-year-old Aaron McAtee, who police believe was attacked in a random act of violence. McAtee died at the University of Iowa Hospitals from his injuries. Nathan Russell of East Dubuque was identified as a person of interest in the case and located in Hopkinton by the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office. Police say Russell failed to comply with orders and was subsequently shot in the attempt. As of Tuesday night, Russell was also transported to the University of Iowa Hospitals. Both incidents remain under investigation. KOSSUTH COUNTY – Six Iowa Counties now have confirmed cases of the avian influenza. WHO-13 reports the Iowa Department of Agriculture reported another instance at a farm in Kossuth County. Since October 20th, cases have been also reported in Buena Vista, Pocahontas, Guthrie, Clay and Hamilton Counties. DES MOINES – Des Moines police are charging a man already in prison with murder. KCCI-TV reports 24 year old Davossi Wisdom faces first degree murder for an incident in 2022, where he was accused of running over 32 year old William Kline several times. Police say Wisdom was arrested and convicted on unrelated charges for robbery and theft, and evidence connected him back to the homicide.

DES MOINES – It’s now official – Governor Kim Reynolds has endorsed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ahead of the Iowa Caucuses. The Des Moines Register first reported the planned event over the weekend, which was made public by Reynolds on Monday. DeSantis is hopeful that Reynolds’ popularity among Republicans in Iowa will surpass their desire to see Donald Trump back in the White House. DES MOINES – A Des Moines man faces multiple charges after he is accused of shooting at a police officer. KCCI-TV reports Cody Gibbs was being flagged down by police for a traffic stop late Sunday. Des Moines Police say Gibbs drove away from the stop and crashed his vehicle, and attempted to flee on foot. Gibbs is charged with attempted murder of a peace officer and intimidation with a dangerous weapon, among half a dozen other charges, after he allegedly shot at the police while being chased. IOWA CITY – A dispute over a hospital’s bankruptcy in Iowa City has been resolved. The University of Iowa has now purchased Mercy Iowa City, according to KCRG-TV. Mercy had initially announced Preston Hollow Community Capital had won an auction, but a judge ruled against their bid and approved the sale to the university instead. MARSHALLTOWN – Tenants and shoppers alike were in for a surprise in Marshalltown Friday when the lights went out. The owner of a mall in the community hadn’t paid their bill, according to WHO-13, and the State Fire Marshal closed all stores in the facility due to safety concerns. TLC Associates resumed paying the bill, but many business owners in the space are now having second thoughts about returning.

DES MOINES (IRN) – It appears Governor Kim Reynolds will throw her political weight behind a Republican candidate in the presidential field. The Des Moines Register reports Reynolds is expected to endorse Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ahead of the January 15th Iowa Caucuses. Reynolds drew the ire of Former President Donald Trump earlier in the campaign by not endorsing him for the GOP ticket, and at the time, she intended to stay out of the frey. Trump’s campaign was once again critical of Iowa’s governor for the move, calling it the start of her “retirement tour.” DeSantis trails Trump in the latest Iowa Poll, tied at 16 percent with former Ambassador Nikki Haley and well behind Trump’s 43% among Republican voters. ALTOONA (IRN) – After several significant losses in recent elections, Democrats are hoping a recent visit from a U.S. Senator will bolster the party statewide. Pennsylvania’s John Fetterman appeared at the Liberty and Justice annual celebration Saturday. Fetterman spoke at the fundraiser that featured several prominent Iowan democrats, including State Auditor Rob Sand. CASS COUNTY (IRN) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office is requesting public assistance related to a kidnapping. On Saturday, an adult male was reported as kidnapped to the department. The victim told police he was forced to drive to Chicago on behalf of a man with a gun. The suspect then allegedly carjacked another individual near Mile Marker 51 on Interstate 8. Police ask anyone if a family member from the surrounding area has not returned home. At this point the identity of the subject in the second incident is unknown. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office is currently working with multiple law enforcement agencies in the investigation.