DES MOINES (IRN) – Governor Kim Reynolds announced her husband Kevin is suffering from lung cancer. In a statement issued Thursday, the governor’s office shared the diagnosis of the state’s First Gentleman. Reynolds says the medical team caring for her husband believes there is reason to be optimistic about the prognosis and upcoming treatment plan. DES MOINES (IRN) – Long-time mayor of Des Moines Frank Cownie has announced he will not seek another term. WHO-13 reports a letter was sent to Des Moines residents on Thursday morning. Cownie thanked residents for their support and their contributions to the growth of the capital city. Cownie is the longest serving mayor in Des Moines history, currently in his 20th year. ALTOONA (IRN) – An Altoona man was the big winner of one of the most popular cooking competitions in America. The Des Moines Register reports Grant Gillon was the champion of MasterChef Season 13. Gillon’s episode in the finals aired on Wednesday, where he was congratulated by world-famous chef Gordon Ramsey.

ALGONA (IRN) – A capacity crowd of 1,000 people attended the funeral service of a Algona police officer killed on duty. KCCI-TV reports Kevin Cram received a hero’s farewell at his funeral service. Cram was killed on Septmeber 13th. Kyle Ricke has been charged with first-degree murder and is accused of shooting and killing Cram during an attempted arrest. MADISON COUNTY (IRN) – A Winterset woman died in a single vehicle crash in Winterset. WHO-13 reports Carole Harms was traveling alone on Tuesday and lost control near a turn and rolled the vehicle. The Madison County Sheriff’s Office believes a medical issue may have contributed. STORY CITY (IRN) – The Roland-Story School District is being sued over alleged treatment of a former student who was assaulted by a state champion wrestler. WHO-13 reports the victim’s family is seeking compensation for several charges. The incidents date back to January of last year, when Kade Blume was charged as an adult with felony assault. Blume later took a plea deal that moved the case to juvenile court. The victim’s family is suing the Roland-Story School District over how school officials handled the allegations after they were made aware of the assault. IOWA (IRN) – Harvest remains ahead of schedule as the season ramps up across Iowa. The USDA weekly report shows 5 percent of the state’s corn has been harvested for grain, ahead of 2 percent at this time last year. Corn is in the dent stage of beyond in 96 percent of fields, six days ahead of 2022 and 11 days ahead of the five year average.

ALGONA (IRN) – Today, the Algona community mourns the loss of Police Officer Kevin Cram. The funeral of the officer shot and killed earlier this month while on duty will be held today after the community gathered at a reception held Tuesday. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation continues to work on the case, and Kyle Ricke is in custody after he allegedly shot the officer. NEVADA (IRN) – An arrest has been made in relation to the death of an infant in Nevada. The Nevada Public Safety Department reports Juan Angel Montalvo and Sheyenne Nichole Shore both have been charged with first degree murder and child endangerment causing death. On June 11th, Nevada first responders were made aware of the death of a seven month old child. The two were arrested in California for unrelated charges and will be returned to the state of Iowa. IOWA (IRN) – While several rounds of heavy rain prompted a flash flood warning and provided needed drought relief, most of the state remains dry and many missed out on precipitation Tuesday. While radar estimates indicated upwards of six inches of rain fell in Audubon County and many other central Iowa communities received one-to-four inches, it may not be enough to knock those places out of drought. Last week’s national report showed at least 70 percent of Iowa was in severe drought or worse. IOWA CITY (IRN) – Yet another award has been given to the best women’s basketball player in the nation. KCCI-TV reports Iowa Hawkeye star Caitlin Clark won the AAU James E. Sullivan Award, presented for 93 years to the most outstanding athlete at the college or Olympic level in the country. Clark joins former Hawkeye National Championship Wrestler Spencer Lee to receive the honor. Clark has also won the Honda Cup and was named Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year by the Collegiate Women Sports Awards, and swept every national women’s basketball honor this past year.

IOWA (IRN) – Iowa Democrats have matched the same day for the 2024 Caucuses as Republicans, with one catch. The Iowa Capital Dispatch reports Democrats will also have their caucus for party-related matters at the state level on January 15th — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. However, the day for presidential preference has not been established, due to concerns a mail-in process would make the choice to similar to a primary, and cause concerns with New Hampshire and their laws enacting their state as the first primary. Republicans will hold traditional caucuses on January 15th to select their preferred nominee. STORY COUNTY (IRN) – One person was killed and two injured in a crash over the weekend in Story County. WHO-13 reports two vehicles collided in a rural part of the county. Tanner Crooks died from his injuries after authorities believe he ran through a stop sign and broadsided another vehicle. Two others were seriously injured. HAMILTON COUNTY (IRN) – A former band teacher in western Iowa has been convicted on several charges related toward misconduct with students. The Des Moines Register reports 44 year old Benjamin Work was an educator in the West Harrison Community School District. He has been found guilty of sexual exploitation by a school employee, lascivious acts with a minor, and indecent contact with a child. Work used his role in leading school plays by requesting students to take off clothing during costume measurements and by touching some of those individuals during the process. Several reports to law enforcement were filed in April 2022.

ALGONA – A fallen officer in Algona will be remembered this week. Funeral services and visitation will be held over the next two days for Kevin Cram. The 10-year veteran of the force was shot and killed last week during an attempted arrest of Kyle Ricke, who is accused of the killing. WAUKEE – An arrest was made in connection to the death of a one year old in Waukee. WHO-13 reports Yemissi Keto was arrested Friday and charged with first degree murder. In August, emergency crews responded to a call of an unresponsive child. Keto also faces one count of child endangerment resulting in death. DES MOINES – Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose from 2.7 percent to 2.9 percent in August, tying the year-ago rate, while the U.S. unemployment rate increased from 3.5 percent to 3.8 percent in August. Iowa gained 2,400 jobs and Iowa’s workforce grew by 500 people last month. The number of unemployed Iowans increased to 50,200 in August from 47,700 in July. The state’s overall labor force participation rate decreased slightly from 68.8 to 68.7 percent in August.