Category: State News

DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds released a statement about a Satanic Temple display in the in the Iowa Capitol Building. While the governor called the display “absolutely objectionable,” there were no calls for removal. The Satantic Temple properly completed an application to have a display during the holiday season, as all faiths are welcome. Some state lawmakers have called for its removal, but many Republicans have stated that would not be possible due to First Amendment protections in the U.S. Constitution. Reynolds encouraged Iowans to pray over and recognize a nativity scene on display instead.

DES MOINES – The Animal Rescue league rescued more than 30 dogs from a Des Moines home. WHO-13 reports the floors had layers of feces and urine, and all of the animals found were suffering from fleas, illness, scabbing, and loss of hair. A rescue was performed at the same home four years ago and city officials worked with the homeowners, who had been hoarding other items.

CLARKSVILLE – A former Iowa police officer will spend up to 15 year in prison for exchanging nude photos with a minor he met while investigating a sex offender. The Des Moines reports Michael William Tobin was sentenced after he was found guilty of sexual exploitation. Tobin had sex with a teenager after she joined the departments ride-along program, and exchanged several photos with the girl, including those that were evidence in a criminal investigation.

IOWA – A new Des Moines Register poll shows former President Donald Trump is gaining support among Republican voters ahead of the Iowa Caucus. The Iowa Poll for November shows 51% of likely participants intend to select Trump as their nominee for president. Among Republicans, more than two-thirds believe Trump can defeat President Joe Biden despite mounting legal challenges. The next closest candidates were Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at 18 percent and Former U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley at 16 percent.

BOONE – A former Boone County Sheriff’s deputy has reached a plea agreement in relation to the death of a K-9 unit last year. WHo-13 reports Dallas Wingate put his K-9 into the back of his truck at 10 p.m. on September 1st, 2022, and left the animal unattended for nearly a day. The dog was found dead by Wingate. An investigation shows the K-9 unit named Bear died due to heat stress and dehydration. Wingate pled to a lesser charge of animal neglect resulting in death, and will serve at least 18 months of probation.

OTTUMWA – Two people died in a house fire over the weekend in Ottumwa. KCCI-TV reports the Ottumwa Fire Department responded to the home at around 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and others were able to get out of the building safely. The State Fire Marshal is investigating and those who died have not been identified.

IOWA – The USDA has released the annual Crop Progress and Condition Report for the state. In Iowa, above average temperatures and below average precipitation allowed for a fast, efficient planting season, and similar conditions in the fall allowed for a near complete harvest 10 days ahead of schedule.

SAC COUNTY – New details have been released about a Sac County man missing for nearly three weeks. KCCI-TV reports the county sheriff’s office has discussed more details about the disappearance of 53 year old David Schultz on November 21st. Investigators say Schultz left his home at 7 p.m. the night before his semi was found, and four hours later, Schultz was seen at a truck stop near Fort Dodge, and its believed that it stopped where it was found early that morning.

OTTUMWA – One man has died after he was ejected from his vehicle near Ottumwa. The Iowa State Patrol reports Tristan Zimmerman was traveling westbound on Highway 34 before drifting onto the shoulder and rolling the vehicle. Timmerman was in the car with Shalya Zimmerman and two children, all of whom were injured. Tristan was not wearing a seat belt and died on scene.

OMAHA – An Iowa man has been arrested in connection to the death of a priest in Nebraska. The Associated Press reports Reverend Stephen Gutgsell was assaulted in Fort Calhoun and taken to an Omaha hospital, where he died from his injuries. Kierre Williams of Sioux City was charged with homicide and other related charges after police received a 911 call that he had broken into the church.

JOHNSON COUNTY – An Arizona man has died in a single semi crash on Interstate 80 west of Iowa City. The Iowa State Patrol reports the large vehicle operated by 55 year old Eric Smith left the westbound lanes at 4:30 Friday morning and crashed into a tree. The semi then caught fire.

DES MOINES – Authorities have identified a woman found dead near the Des Moines International Airport. WHO-13 reports that city employees were working in a wooded area Thursday near the airport when they found the body of 55-year-old Belinda Anne Morris. An investigation is ongoing.

IOWA CITY – A long time punter for the Iowa Hawkeyes earned the highest honor possible for his position on the football field. The Des Moines Register reports Tory Taylor won the 2023 Ray Guy Award, given to the best punter in all of college football each year. Taylor has been renowned on and off the field, as his Name Image Likeness work with Raygun shirts raises funds to prevent miscarriages in Iowa through the Count the Kicks Foundation.

SAC COUNTY – It’s been more than two weeks since a truck driver disappeared while hauling piglets. The Des Moines Register reports its now been 17 days since David Schultz went missing near Sac City on Highway 71. Authorities continue to partner with private groups to search for the man who left his cell phone and wallet behind in his semi found on the highway in late November.

IOWA – Several Iowa cities broke records for heat on Thursday. The National Weather Service reports Waterloo, Ottumwa, Mason City, and Lamoni all have new record high temperatures for December 7th. Unseasonably warm weather continues today, until a mix of precipitation impacts the state into Saturday morning.

AMES – The CyHawk basketball series ends in a split this week, after a dominating performance by the home team Thursday. Iowa State’s men knocked off Iowa 90-65, the largest victory in the Cyclones over the Hawkeyes in the rivarly’s history. The win was the 600th for ISU at Hilton Coliseum. This came a day after the Iowa women pulled away late to knock off a young Cyclones team 67-58 Wednesday. National Player of the Year Caitlin Clark scored her 3000th career point on her in-state rival’s floor.