WEST DES MOINES – A West Des Moines man was arrested for alleged possession of sexually exploitative videos of children. KCCI-TV reports 27-year-old Andrew Stearns is accused of using the Kik app to possess several files of child sexual abuse material. Urbandale police say they received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. IOWA – Spotty precipitation, heavy in some areas, limited Iowa farmers to 4.3 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 22nd, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field work included cutting hay and spraying. Above average temperatures spurred crop growth. Topsoil moisture condition rated 3 percent very short, 16 percent short, 73 percent adequate and 8 percent surplus. Virtually all of Iowa’s corn crop has emerged, and there were scattered reports of corn silking. Corn condition rated 62 percent good and 21 percent excellent. Nearly all of the soybean crop has emerged. IOWA – Two different flash flood warnings have been issued in southern and central Iowa since Monday night as heavy rain continues to pummel much of the state. According to the National Weather Service, a slight risk for excessive rainfall continues until Thursday for most of Iowa. Additional rounds of 1-3″ of rainfall remain possible through Friday, with some locations in the state already receiving 3-6″ of precipitation since Monday afternoon.

IOWA – Flash flooding potential is increased again today across the state as a stationary front drops more rounds of thunderstorms in some of the same areas that received 2-4 inches of heavy rain yesterday. According to the National Weather Service, 2/3rds of Iowans are at a slight risk for more excessive rainfall. Those in low-lying areas, living near streams, or in urban areas should take extra caution for ponding water. Anyone that encounters a flooded roadway should turn around and find an alternate route.INDIANOLA – An Indianola couple has pleaded guilty to kidnapping and injuring the man’s ex-girlfriend in 2023. The Des Moines Register reports 42-year-old Jordan Mangum and 36-year-old Jessica Wheeler were charged for taking the victim from her Des Moines home and strangling her and slashing her throat, running her over multiple times with a van. Both pleaded guilty to 3rd degree kidnapping, assault while participating in a felony, and domestic abuse by strangulation. Mangum entered an Alford plea. Both likely face at least four decades in prison. IOWA – Several businesses and organizations filed a lawsuit on Monday challenging a new Iowa law regulating Pharmacy Benefit Managers and other aspects of prescription drug regulations. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports the suit is against the Iowa Insurance Commissioner and brought by several groups and it argues that Senate File 383 is not allowed due to federal regulations. The bill supported by pharmacists and rural health advocates requires reimbursements to meet national and state average costs and aimed to adjust cost-sharing laws. Opponents to the bill and those filing the suit argue the cost of prescriptions will increase due to the measure.

IOWA – A heat wave winding down could give way to multiple rounds of thunderstorms this week, some of which may be severe. According to the National Weather Service, widespread rainfall amounts of 1-2″ are likely between now and Thursday evening across Iowa, with many communities expected to get to 3″ or more. A slight risk for excessive rainfall is in place, especially in central and northern Iowa. While not as hot as this past weekend, temperatures will remain uncomfortable for many, especially with high humidity expected. A slight risk for severe weather is also in place later this evening. DES MOINES – President Donald Trump will be at the Iowa State Fairgrounds later this summer. WHO-13 reports Trump will start Independence Day celebrations on July 3rd. No additional details outside of a speech have been announced. Trump previously visited the Iowa State Fair in 2015 and 2023. IOWA – Iowa’s elected leaders largely supported a move by the Trump administration and U.S. Military to bomb three nuclear sites in Iran this past weekend. The Des Moines Register reports Governor Kim Reynolds, Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, and all four U.S. Representatives released statements in favor of the attacks during an ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel. Democrats and some Republicans across the country are concerned with the military strike without congressional approval.

IOWA – Extreme heat is expected to continue through Monday across much of the state. All of Iowa remains under either a heat advisory or extreme heat warning, with the hottest temperatures and heat index values expected west of Interstate 35. Air temperatures in the mid-90s are likely in the afternoon and evening hours statewide, with feels-like readings approaching 110 degrees in many communities. Heating shelters are open in communities throughout the state. The heat wave is expected to continue through Monday, according to the National Weather Service. IOWA – There are now nine state-run beaches listed with swimming not recommended status, according to the latest update from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The Des Moines Register reports the number has jumped by eight from the last report. Those beaches include Backbone, Beeds Lake, Black Hawk, Blue Lake, Bobwhite State Park, Emerson Bay, Nine Eagles, North Twin Lake West, and Pine Lake South. All nine beaches tested positive for excessive E. coli bacteria. REINBECK – A Reinbeck nurse who admitted to stealing painkillers from nursing home residents has agreed to surrender her license. KCRG-TV reports 42-year-old Andrea Raffield is accused by the Iowa Board of Nursing of removing controlled substances from the supply of the facility for personal use. Board records do not detail the impacted nursing home. Raffield was criminally charged with tampering records, prohibited acts with a controlled substance, and intent to deliver in November 2023.

POWESHIEK COUNTY – Two different fatal crashes occurred just under an hour apart in Poweshiek County on Thursday. The first occurred just after 7 a.m. on Interstate 80. The Iowa State Patrol reports a semi with an oversized load blue a trailer and parked on the shoulder with a pilot vehicle behind it. A third vehicle driven by 48-year-old Christian Marie Leeth of Texas collided with both vehicles, including the semi, and struck the driver of the pilot car, 55-year-old Brenton Fergia, who was outside fixing the tire. He died from his injuries. Less than an hour later, two cars collided on Highway V18 in a head-on crash. A Hyundai driven by 37-year-old Joshua Allen Klein of Brooklyn, Iowa, hit a Pontiac operated by 70-year-old James John Jacobi of Belle Plaine after crossing the center line. Jacobi died from his injuries. DES MOINES – A Wyoming man is in custody after entering the stage area during the National Speech and Debate Tournament in Des Moines. KCCI-TV reports 22-year-old Jayden Michael Roccaforte was charged with disorderly conduct and possession of a controlled substance. The man is accused of entering the stage and prompted an evacuation based on his behavior, according to event organizers. The competition will resume today. DES MOINES – Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose slightly to 3.6 percent in May, up from 3.5 percent in April. The number did include 3,900 Iowans joining the labor force. The participation rate rose to 67.3 percent, up from 67.2 percent in April. Meanwhile, the U.S. unemployment rate remained at 4.2 percent. The total number of unemployed Iowans increased to 62,400 in May from 60,700 in April.