Category: State News

MARSHALLTOWN – A suspect in a shooting that resulted in the death of one person has been arrested. WHO-13 reports Marshalltown Police charged 29-year-old Allen James Hart of Mt. Pleasant with intimidation with a dangerous weapon and multiple counts of reckless use of a firearm. One person died after being transported to a nearby hospital with injuries.

ATLANTIC – A former school counselor is being accused of inappropriate conduct. KCCI-TV reports that Atlantic Schools fired Jesse McCann last month. No criminal charges have been filed, but parents allege that McCann sent inappropriate messages to at least one student. He was let go on February 11th.

HARRISON COUNTY – A Manilla resident was killed in a two vehicle crash in Harrison County on Monday evening. The Iowa State Patrol reports a Toyota RAV4 was traveling eastbound on Highway 30 before crossing the center line and colliding with a GM Sierra. The driver of the Toyota has been identified as 30-year-old Merari Eduviges Perez, who died from injuries suffered in the collision. A 57-year-old Missouri Valley man was injured in the crash.

IOWA – Multiple chances for rain across the state continue to ramp up this week, with thunderstorms possible by Friday night. According to the National Weather Service, preliminary projections from its Storm Prediction Center show a slight risk for severe storms forming late Friday, although that forecast is subject to change. Temperatures on Friday are expected to climb into the low 70s for many, before a cold front drops those highs by 20 degrees going into Saturday.

MARSHALLTOWN – One person has died in a shooting reported in Marshalltown early Sunday morning. KCCI-TV reports an investigation is underway as police search for a suspect related to the incident. Two gunshot victims were transported to a hospital, and one of them has since died. The Marshalltown Police Department is asking the public for any possible leads.

MASON CITY – Three people were found dead in a Mason City home Saturday evening. WHO-13 reports Mason City Fire and Police Department personnel found three people unresponsive inside of a house. There is no sign of foul play after the initial investigation.

DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is hosting a series of town hall-style meetings where local staff will provide updates on recently completed hunting and trapping seasons, discuss possible changes to hunting and trapping rules and regulations, and address other topics as requested. The meetings are open to the public and will be featured in twenty different communities. Comments collected from these public meetings will be considered along with other related comments received by the Iowa DNR prior to proposing changes to hunting rules and regulations.

IOWA – As drought expands across the state again heading into the spring, several rounds of rainfall may provide some relief this week. According to the National Weather Service, multiple chances for precipitation are expected for most Iowans over the next several days. It comes as two-thirds of the state rates as abnormally dry and 1/4 is listed in moderate drought. The Spring Flood Outlook issued by the National Weather Service shows near normal chances for river flooding.

URBANDALE – Two juveniles now face first degree murder charges in relation to the deadly shooting of a 14-year-old in Urbandale. KCCI-TV reports Urbandale police announced the charges on Friday related to a death investigation that started this past Sunday. The suspects have only been identified by their ages and gender, which include a 14-year-old and 13-year old male.

CEDAR RAPIDS – A judge sentenced a man to multiple life sentences without parole for the deaths of four people in 2024. KCRG-TV reports 36-year-old Luke Truesdell was convicted and found guilty for three counts of first degree murder and another charge of second-degree murder in November. Truesdell was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences on earlier this week. He attached four victims with a metal pipe in a pole barn in rural Linn County on June 5th, 2024.

DES MOINES – A body was found in the Des Moines River on Friday, according to WHO-13. The Des Moines Police Department responded to a 911 call from a boater who believed they found someone dead in the water. A rescue team found the individual, who has not been publicly identified. Police don’t believe criminal activity resulted in the man’s death.

GREENFIELD – An Adair County man died on Thursday afternoon following an explosion near Greenfield. KCCI-TV reports emergency crews responded at approximately 1:15 p.m. in rural Adair County to what appeared to be an explosion. Authorities have identified 51-yearold John David Christensen as the sole occupant of the structure.

DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds is defending her use of an Iowa State Patrol aircraft. The Des Moines Register reports Reynolds claims she only uses it for official business and allows her to reach more people across the state. A Register report indicates Reynolds has been using the aircraft purchased with COVID-19 relief funds, which is different from her predecessor, Governor Terry Branstad.

DES MOINES – Attorney General Brenna Bird announced that the State of Iowa is suing both General Motors and OnStar for alleged collecting and selling of data from Iowans without consent. KIMT-TV reports the suit is filed in Polk County District Court. It claims that the vehicle manufacturer misled consumers by misrepresenting OnStar services and implying that enrollment was critical for basic safety.

DES MOINES – Iowa Democrats wrote a letter and say they are trying to stop Whirlpool from laying off nearly 350 employees from their Amana location. WHO-13 reports 341 employees will be let go on March 9th, even as dozens of jobs have been posted in Mexico. Iowa Democrats sent a letter to leadership, asking to reconsider the decision. Governor Kim Reynolds says Iowa Workforce Development resources will be deployed in Amana for the 341 employees losing their jobs.

DES MOINES – The Iowa Senate passed a bill that requires Iowa’s Secretary of State to verify the citizenship status of voters. WHO-13 reports Senate File 2203 was passed mainly along party lines and requires the secretary of state to use the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements program. Opponents argue that the measure has declared otherwise eligible voters ineligible in other states using it. Those in favor say that 35 votes from noncitizens counted in the 2024 election in Iowa.

AMES – Iowa State University is ending a program that promised free tuition to some Des Moines students. KCCI-TV reports the ISU 4U Promise Program was designed to make college more affordable for students at King and Moulton Elementary, which are among the state’s poorest zip codes. Iowa State contributed more than $1 million to the program since 2015, but budget concerns have leadership reconsidering it as an option.

DES MOINES – Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds ordered flags to be at half-staff today to honor Former First Lady of Iowa Billie Lee Ray. The Des Moines Register reports that Ray died on February 18th and that her visitation will be held today. Ray was married to long time Governor Robert Ray, and both founded an organization at Drake University dedicated to Character Counts.