State News

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October 16th, 2023

DES MOINES (IRN) – The Iowa State Capitol was threatened on Saturday. The Iowa State Patrol received information about a threat from the United States Capitol Police made via social media. The Department of Public Safety investigated and assessed the threat and determined it to be not credible. Out of an abundance of caution, the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Iowa State Patrol swept the building and located nothing of concern. The building was cleared at 1:30 p.m. and all normal activities at the Capitol resumed shortly after. IOWA (IRN) – Those in Iowa who want to see the most out of fall colors should do so early this week. According to the Iowa DNR, the most vibrant viewing from border to border takes place this week in the fast majority of Iowa communities. This year’s show started faster due to ongoing drought, but last week’s rain for many will keep the colors on trees a bit longer. IOWA CITY (IRN) – A new NCAA women’s basketball attendance recorded was broken as the defending National Runners Up hosted a game at Kinnick Stadium Sunday. The Des Moines Register reports the Iowa Hawkeyes and reigning, unanimous player of the year Caitlin Clark welcomed more than 55,000 fans for a scrimmage against DePaul. The Crossover at Kinnick event shattered the previous national record of 29,619 for the 2002 national title game. A check of $250,000 was given to the University of Iowa’s Stead Family Children’s Hospital from event proceeds.


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October 14th, 2023

DES MOINES (IRN) – A Polk County jury found Bravon Tukes not guilty for his alleged role in the shooting inside Starts Right Here educational center in Des Moines, according to WHO-13. Tukes was accused of discussing the shooting with gunman Preston Walls and then giving him a ride after the shooting that killed Giovanni Dameron and Rashad Carr. NEVADA (IRN) – The mother of an infant who died in Story County this summer is now in an Iowa jail on a murder charge. KCCI-TV reports Sheyenne Shore was booked into the jail Thursday. She was charged in June but was in custody in California on unrelated charges. The medical examiner’s office confirms the baby died of multiple injuries, including many to the head. IOWA(IRN) – Alliant Energy wants to increase rates its 725,000 customers in 2024. According to the Des Moines Register, the rate hikes would range from 5 to 7.7%. Alliant electric customers would see their monthly bills climb $10 on average, while natural gas customers would see a $3 average monthly hike. Both rate hikes, if approved, would take effect in October 2024. Customers can file formal comments in opposition to the Iowa Utilities Board.


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October 13th, 2023

MITCHELL COUNTY (IRN) – An Iowa man died in a grain bin accident Wednesday. WHO-13 reports the Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office was called to an entrapment in the afternoon west of Osage. Dennis Fischer was pronounced dead on scene despite rescue efforts. HAMPTON (IRN) – A Hampton man died in a collision with a semi truck Wednesady afternoon. The Iowa State Patrol reports Robert Dietz was traveling westbound on Highway 3 when it crossed over the center line, colliding head on with the front trailer axle of a Freightliner operated by Andrew Stansbury of Eldora. Dietz died as a result of injuries. CLARION (IRN) – A Powerball ticket purchased in Iowa was a number away from the grand prize won Wednesday. KCCI-TV reports a ticket purchased in Clarion matched four of the five main numbers and the Powerball to win a $50,000 prize. A player in California won the $1.7 billion jackpot. IOWA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Education announced that just under 19,000 Students First education savings accounts (ESAs) were approved by the Sept. 30 program close date in their opening year. The total approved applicants exceeded Legislative Services Agency estimates made this past spring of approximately 14,000 applicants. Details about ESA program participants will be available after certified school enrollment numbers are finalized in December.


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October 12th, 2023

DAVENPORT (IRN) – An Iowa man convicted in the killing of a 10 year old girl will spend his life in prison without parole. The Associated Press reports Henry Earl Dinkins was sentenced Wednesday for the murder of Breasia Terrell. The girls disappearance in July 2020 led to several searches. Her body was found north of Davenport in the spring of 2021. ANKENY (IRN) – An Iowa DNR officer was fired after she was accused of using a state database to screen potential dates and for a recent incident with Ankeny police. The Des Moines Register reports 41 year old Angela Jansen of Central City worked for the DNR for nearly five years. In June, a confrontation with an ex-boyfriend led to police response, and Jansen was armed at the time. She told police she had used a state database to determine the marital status of someone she was considering dating. IOWA (IRN) – Iowa is joining other states in opposition to a Massachusetts animal welfare lawsuit. KCRG-TV reports Attorney General Brenna Bird has filed a brief backing pork producers as a ballot measure in Massachusetts could impose spacing requirements for pigs, and bans the sale of pork that doesn’t comply.


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October 11th, 2023

ANKENY (IRN) – An Ankeny man faces three decades in prison for his role in a fatal crash in Story County. The Des Moines Register reports Micah Denman was sentenced to 30 years in prison following a guilty plea of vehicular manslaughter. The Iowa State Patrol attempted to stop Denman in April, and a subsequent pursuit saw speeds approach 130 MPH. Duan Sievert of Maxwell was rear-ended as a result, and died from injuries related to the collision. CRESTON (IRN) – A Creston man charged in August with 40 counts of sexual abuse has entered a plea of guilty. KCCI-tv reorts Ryan Kissell abused a child for more than a decade, and will receive a ten-year prison sentence. Kissel was arrested at Nadaway Valley High School. IOWA (IRN) – Several rounds of needed rainfall are likely through Friday, according to the National Weather Service. Many communities north of Interstate 80 could see upwards of four inches of precipitation by opening kickoff of football games Friday, with other areas receiving closer to a few inches. Nearly all of Iowa is in drought and has been since mid-summer. IOWA CITY (IRN) – Mercy Iowa City announced the winning bid for its bankruptcy auction Tuesday. KGAN in Cedar Rapids reports American Healthcare Systems and Preston Hollow Community Capital will assume control of the struggling hospital. The University of Iowa made an offer, but the owners deemed it inadequate. The hospital will be reorganized into a non-profit organization.