IOWA – Food pantries across the state are seeing significant demand due to the ongoing federal shutdown and potential impacts on SNAP benefits. KCCI-TV reports there will be partial funding for the program providing nutrition to thousands of Iowans, but details remain on how close they will be to normal. Governor Kim Reynolds office said the state will continue matching cash donations to regional food banks up to $1 million. A Waukee food pantry mentioned lines were out the door on Monday. DES MOINES – Despite a guilty plea a year prior, the former Superintendent of the Des Moines Public Schools did not mention it in his application. The Des Moines Register reports Ian Roberts did not disclose in 2023 a prior conviction, despite a question on the application asking if he had committed a crime beyond traffic offenses. Roberts pled guilty to a charge of unlawful presence of a loaded firearm in January 2022 in Pennsylvania. The Iowa Department of Education did not clarify to the Register if doing so was disqualifying for a license. IOWA – Iowans will hit the polls today for city and school board elections. Since 2019, voters select leaders for municipal government at the most local level. Several schools will also attempt to pass bond issues, including $51 million at Southeast Polk High School. Polls are open until 8 p.m. today.

MARSHALLTOWN – A Marshalltown woman has been killed in an apparent hit-and-run incident. The Iowa State Patrol reports 30-year-old Melanie Katherine Nelson was attempting to cross an intersection, when she was struck by a Dodge Ram Pickup. As of Sunday, the driver of the vehicle is at-large. Nelson died from her injuries. ARNOLDS PARK – Funds have been secured to turn a northwest Iowa park into protected land. WHO-13 reports Arnolds Park in Dickinson County will now become conservation property after a $1.9 million fundraiser was completed. The 73-acres will be managed by Dickinson County Conservation for water quality, wildlife habitat, and outdoor recreation uses. LANSING – The Iowa and Wisconsin Departments of Transportation are announcing that a car ferry service will start today to provide an alternative option following the closure of the existing Iowa Mississippi River bridge between Lansing, Iowa, and Crawford County, Wisconsin. The free, 12-vehicle ferry will provide an alternative way for vehicles to cross the river and operate for 16 hours, seven days a week.

DES MOINES— Governor Reynolds announced the state will provide interim support for Iowa’s food banks and pantries if the USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits end as expected on Saturday, November 1 due to the federal government shutdown. The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is holding two virtual meetings a week with Iowa’s six regional food banks and other food system partners to understand their needs as they prepare for increased demand. The group has identified increased staffing, distribution, and food inventory as primary needs. In response, Governor Reynolds has directed HHS and Volunteer Iowa to recruit and deploy volunteers to support food assistance operations in communities across the state where help is needed. CRESTON – A Creston man faces a kidnapping charge after police claim a juvenile jumped from his moving vehicle. WHO-13 reports the Union County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported robbery, and found a minor in the road. The victim had jumped from a moving car after a failed online marketplace sale, and claimed the driver had assaulted her. Police arrested 21-year-old Jayden Peavler. The juvenile suffered non-life threatening injuries. DES MOINES – A Des Moines man was sentenced this week for incest of a minor. KCCI-TV reports the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested 33-year-old Tyler Hardwick in November 2023 after an investigation found he had sexually assaulted a minor. He entered an Alford plea to 10 counts of second-degree sexual abuse and one count of incest, and faces up to 55 years in prison.

PERRY – The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Perry Police Department have charged Amanda Jean Goff with one count of Human Trafficking in the First Degree. Goff was taken into custody without incident at the Sac County Jail where she had been held on related offenses. Human Trafficking in the First Degree is a class A felony. As detailed in the criminal complaint, it is alleged that in January 2025, Goff took a 14-year-old female to a Perry hotel for the express purpose of having the victim engage in commercial sexual activity with another person. IOWA – Governor Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Education announced that four Iowa schools have been selected as the state’s inaugural Iowa Blue Ribbon Schools for 2025 during a ceremony at the Iowa State Capitol. Formerly the National Blue Ribbon Schools, the prestigious program is now a state-led recognition initiative, honoring some of the state’s top-performing schools. The inaugural 2025 Blue Ribbons Schools are: Albia Middle School; Bryant Elementary School, Dubuque ; George-Little Rock Elementary; and Prairie Hill Elementary School, College Community School District. IOWA – More than 267,000 Iowans will be without SNAP benefits pending action from the U.S. Congress and Trump Administration during an ongoing government shutdown. The Des Moines Register repots November 1st will mark the beginning of funds running out. Iowan spent more than $45 million in benefits in May, the latest data available from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Existing benefits can be spent, but funds will not be replenished.

POLK COUNTY – A Des Moines woman was killed hitting a semi pulled over on the shoulder of Interstate 35 on Tuesday afternoon. The Iowa State Patrol reports a semi tractor operated by 23-year-old Cole Ladehoff of Ankeny was on the side of the rode when another car lost control heading northbound, and struck the semi. Nineteen-year-old Emilie VanWinkle was in the front seat of the Sable while wearing a seatbelt, and died from her injuries. IOWA – U.S. Representative Randy Feenstra has announced his intention to run for governor. The Des Moines Register reports this comes after his May announcement of forming an exploratory committee, following the decision by Governor Kim Reynolds to end her time in office at the end of her term next year. Three other Republicans have announced their intentions to run for governor, which will be a contested primary next June. JOHNSTON – The Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board unanimously reprimanded three Johnston School Board candidates for violating a law that prohibits campaign signs on corporate property. WHO-13 reports a citizen complaint was filed on Ocotber 13th that ACCO Unlimited Corporation was violating Iowa Code on behalf of candidates Alicia Penner, Patrick Green, and Connor Christensen. The signs were removed on Tuesday and a reprimand sent to the candidates and business owner.