DES MOINES (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Education announced more than 18,000 K-12 students have qualified for education savings accounts to attend private schools. Families living in 96 of 99 counties represent that group, including more than 3000 in Polk County and just over 1300 in Linn and Scott Counties. The state won’t release additional details about the program until October. DES MOINES (IRN) – An Iowa man has been sentenced for his role in the January 6th attacks at the U.S. Capitol. KCCI-TV reports Salvador Sandoval received 88 months in federal prison and three years of supervised releasee for 12 federal charges. Sandoval tried to take riot shields from two officers and pushed two more. He is one of nine Iowans charged in connection with the attacks. DES MOINES (IRN) – Despite drought across most of Iowa, the latest Iowa Department of Agriculture crop report shows most are progressing ahead of the five-year average. Corn, hay, and soybeans are all ahead of both the 2022 pace and the last several years. This comes as more than half of the state was rated at short conditions for both topsoil and subsoil moisture.

SIOUX COUNTY (IRN) – While drought continues to dominate across the state, with 83% of Iowans feeling its impacts, recent heavy rain has caused flash flooding in different areas over the weekend. Rain totals over four inches were common in both northwest and southeast Iowa over a few days this weekend. Governor Kim Reynolds issued disaster proclamations in Sioux and Lee Counties due to flash flooding damage. DES MOINES (IRN) – Union members spent their Sunday afternoon continuing a strike against a Des Moines manufacturer. Teamsters Local 238 has been picketing for eight days outside of Amcor, according to KCCI-TV. The union members are calling for better wages and benefits after rejecting an offer from the company on July 29th. ALTA (IRN) – At least nine Iowa communities are having to sort out how to proceed because their libraries are shared between the communities and school districts. The Des Moines Register reports a partnership between the Alta Public Library and the local public school is in jeopardy because of a new state law that requires school districts to remove books deemed inappropriate for minors. This sets up a possible conflict with the freedoms afforded public libraries.

DES MOINES (IRN) – A Des Moines man is accused of sexually abusing a child inside a church. KCCI-TV reports Huy Nguyen was arrested Thursday on second-degree sex abuse charges. Police say he inappropriately touched a child at Christ the King Catholic Church. The church says Nguyen is not an employee or volunteer with them. NORWALK (IRN) – Another school district has a list of books removed under Senate File 496. Norwalk Schools have taken 64 books from shelves for a potential conflict with a new state law that bans books that are not age appropriate. Urbandale initially had nearly 400 books listed, but also reduced theirs to 64, according to a report from the Des Moines Register. Other metro school districts are reviewing the policy and awaiting guidance from the Iowa Department of Education, but nothing has been formally released from the state organization. ALAMAKEE COUNTY (IRN) – A Waterville man has died following a single vehicle crash in Alamakee County. The Iowa State Patrol reports a vehicle driven by 68 year old Jeffry Kelly was eastbound approaching River View Road, when it made contact with several trees and came to a rest after striking landscaping rock Friday afternoon. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

HARDIN COUNTY (IRN) – The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is looking into an officer-involved shooting in Hardin County. On Wednesday morning, the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call of an individual having a mental crisis in Ackley. At or about 5:00am, law enforcement made contact with the individual that was brandishing a knife. A taser was deployed on the individual, subject refused to cooperate, became combative, and assaulted law enforcement with the knife. At that time two officers discharged their service weapon as the subject retreated into the basement. The subject was not struck in the discharge of the weapons. Cristian Alejandro Larios is charged with attempted murder. A Republican lawmaker in southeast Iowa arrested during RAGBRAI is now being sued by his daughter and her mother. WHO-13 reports Adrian Dickey is accused of forging the signature of Korynn Dickey to place a lien on her vehicle after gifting a vehicle to her in 2020. Following a crash, Korynn attempted to submit an insurance claim, but found out about the lien and that proceeds from the claim were paid to Dickey. The Jefferson County Treasurer’s Office is also listed in the suit. DES MOINES (IRN) – Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds will host Fair-Side Chats with Republican candidates for president at the Iowa State Fair. All Fair-Side Chats will take place at JR’s SouthPork Ranch on the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Nearly every candidate except for Former President Donald Trump is participating.

DES MOINES (IRN) – Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced the deployment of 109 Iowa National Guard members to Texas on Wednesday. The governor’s office made the announcement to assist Texas in securing the international border. Reynolds is also sending some Iowa State Patrol officers. Both deployments will last until the fall and will be paid for with American Rescue Plan money. IOWA CITY (IRN) – Three former Iowa Hawkeyes have been charged with alleged illegal gambling as part of a statewide probe of college athletes. Former Iowa Hawkeyes Kicker Aaron Blom, Baskeball Player Ahron Ulis, and Former Baseball Player Gehrig Christensen have also been charged in an alleged gambling investigation. The Des Moines Register reports all three were making wagers using accounts of older family members, and all three are accused of doing so for events at the University of Iowa. DES MOINES (IRN) – Des Moines Water Works has increased the amount of water it can collect after another round of drought in the state. The Des Moines Register reports the organization has raised its flashboards for the 3rd summer in a row for intake at its Fleur Drive water treatment plant. The Raccoon River is over 80% below its normal levels.