Category: State News

KOSSUTH COUNTY – More cases of the bird flu have been confirmed in the state, according to the Iowa Department of Agriculture. Additional outbreaks were confirmed on Saturday in Kossuth and Cerro Gordo County, WHO-13 reports. In Kossuth County, game bird pheasants, quail, and chukars tested positive, while mixed species were the cause in Cerro Gordo county.

IOWA – One high profile Republican presidential nominee has ended his campaign. Senator Tim Scott announced on Fox News Sunday he was suspending operations ahead of the Iowa Caucus. Scott first announced his intentions in May of 2022, and announced last month it would be going all in on the Hawkeye State.

COLFAX – A Colfax man has broken a unique Guinness World Record. KCCI-TV reports Aaron Bartholmey has a pencil collection totaling more than 69,000 items. The story was first shared this summer, and three months later, the record is now broken.

TAYLOR COUNTY – More than one million chickens will be slaughtered due to an outbreak of the bird flu in Taylor County. The Associated Press reports the Iowa Department of Agriculture announced the infection on Friday, with a disaster proclamation that shortly followed from Governor Kim Reynolds. The USDA has found fewer wild birds carrying the virus, but in an attempt to prevent spread, farms found with the disease have entire flocks wiped out to prevent further spread.

DES MOINES – A teen shot at a Des Moines park walked to Hoover High School for help on Friday. WHO-13 reports the individual had non-life threatening injuries for a shooting that occurred at 3 p.m., and the case remains under investigation.

CEDAR RAPIDS – Two men were arrested Thursday in relation to October shootings in Cedar Rapids that killed two people. KCRG-TV reports Cameron Leonard was arrested in Burlington for the death of DoorDash driver Myron Snyder. Maurice Brown was also found dead at the apartment. Police say they also arrested Pierre Morrow in connection to the case. Leonard was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals and charged with first degree murder and other charges.

ELDORA – A therapist hired to work with at-risk students in Eldora has been fired after being accused of having sex with minors in the facility. WHO-13 reports the State Training School at Eldora let go the currently unidentified individual, who is the subject of an ongoing investigation by Eldora police. The therapist is accused of bringing in contraband and having sex with seven residents, all of whom are likely underage.

MONTICELLO – Memorial services have been planned for a Monticello man killed in a shooting. Aaron McAtee died Tuesday at Fareway in Monticello in what police are calling a random act of violence, according to KCRG-TV. A visitation is scheduled on November 14th and a funeral the next day. The suspect has been identified as 38-year-old Nathan Russell of East Dubuque.

IOWA – A planned forum with presidential candidates is moving forward despite pressure from the Republican National Committee for invitees to not attend. The Des Moines Register reports Family Leader President Bob Vander Plaats is continuing a Thanksgiving event that has a select list of GOP candidates invited, including Former President Donald Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Senator Tim Scott, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, and Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Those candidates

DES MOINES – The Iowa Supreme Court will hear an appeal regarding the fetal heartbeat abortion ban passed by Iowa lawmakers in the 2023 session. KCCI-TV reports Attorney General Brenna Bird filed a brief to review a Polk County District Court ruling that put a hold on the law that would ban almost all abortions in Iowa. Currently, the medical procedure is legal up to 20 weeks of pregnancy in the state.

WEST BEND – A Burt man died when a semi and concrete truck collided in Humboldt County Wednesday evening. The Iowa State Patrol reports a semi and trailer driven by Shane Edward Stanton of Mississippi failed to yield right of way near West Bend, to a concrete truck operated by Taylor Lee Chance, who died from his injuries. Stanton was transported by life flight to the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics. The crash remains under investigation.

IOWA CITY – An Iowa Hawkeyes football player who admitted to gambling on other teams at the school will see his career end after the NCAA continued to insist on lengthy punishments for students who violate the rules related to wagering in college sports. The Des Moines Register reports Noah Shannon faces a one year ban — which ends his eligibility, after he initially cooperated in an investigation into betting at both Iowa and Iowa State University conducted by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. Other Hawkeyes also face the punishment — which previously included a lifetime ban from competing. Both Hawkeyes Coaches Kirk Ferentz and Tom Brands blasted the NCAA for being behind the times in relation to wagering laws and technology, and the extreme punishments for those who violate policies that don’t harm competition.

WAUKEE – Waukee voters approved continued expansion of one of the fastest growing school districts in Iowa Tuesday. WHO-13 reports a $180 million bond referendum was given the go-ahead in Waukee, which will also the district to build a 12th elementary school and assist with ongoing renovations. The district has grown by 19% over the past five years in terms of enrollment from 2018 to 2023, serving just over 12,500 students compared to 10,500 in 2018.

MONTICELLO – A Fareway employee in Monticello was killed and the man suspected of doing so was shot by police in a subsequent attempt to arrest him Tuesday. The City of Monticello Police say they were dispatched to the grocery store to assist with 48-year-old Aaron McAtee, who police believe was attacked in a random act of violence. McAtee died at the University of Iowa Hospitals from his injuries. Nathan Russell of East Dubuque was identified as a person of interest in the case and located in Hopkinton by the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office. Police say Russell failed to comply with orders and was subsequently shot in the attempt. As of Tuesday night, Russell was also transported to the University of Iowa Hospitals. Both incidents remain under investigation.

KOSSUTH COUNTY – Six Iowa Counties now have confirmed cases of the avian influenza. WHO-13 reports the Iowa Department of Agriculture reported another instance at a farm in Kossuth County. Since October 20th, cases have been also reported in Buena Vista, Pocahontas, Guthrie, Clay and Hamilton Counties.

DES MOINES – Des Moines police are charging a man already in prison with murder. KCCI-TV reports 24 year old Davossi Wisdom faces first degree murder for an incident in 2022, where he was accused of running over 32 year old William Kline several times. Police say Wisdom was arrested and convicted on unrelated charges for robbery and theft, and evidence connected him back to the homicide.