Category: State News

IOWA – Several thunderstorms brought hail throughout the Des Moines metro and in Dallas County late Monday night. Multiple rounds of severe weather prompted the warnings late in the evening, as several confirmed reports of quarter-sized hail were collected across multiple central Iowa communities. It came after near-record heat arrived again, with daytime highs in the mid-to-upper 80s spotted throughout hte state. More mild conditions return, with multiple chances for rain in the forecast through Easter Sunday.

DES MOINES – Iowa Senate Republicans have set their fiscal year 2027 budget target of $9.623 billion ahead of the final weeks of the Legislative Session. KCCI-TV reports it comes in about $48 million below the Governor’s January proposal. Republican leadership argues it aligns with flat taxes passed two years ago, while Democrats in the minority argue it masks a $1 billion shortfall, and underfunds several programs in the state.

FREMONT COUNTY – Police identified the man killed in an explosion in a Fremont County salvage yard a week ago. WHO-13 reports the incident on March 24th resulted in the death of 66-year-old Blaine Schoening of Council Bluffs. The man was in the process of disassembling a fuel tank at J-Dogg Salavage Yard in Bartlett. No other injuries were reported.

WOODBURY COUNTY – Several buildings and vehicles have been destroyed in northwest Iowa after a massive fire shut down Highway 20 on Saturday. WHO-13 reports several fire crews were dispatched to a blaze that spread over several miles due to dry, windy conditions. Homes, machine sheds, and farm equipment were all damaged and lost. Firefighters from Nebraska and South Dakota were called in for assistance as well. One injury was reported due to the fire.

IOWA – Several Iowa-based newspapers may be closing this week after a publishing company shut down. KCCI-TV reports Mid-America Publishing based in Hampton oversees several small-town publications, including those in Madrid, Ogden, and Sigourney. Many of those newspapers announced April 1st as their final date of news if nobody buys their outlets.

IOWA – Record heat is possible again today across much of the state before a cool down later this week. Many Iowa communities have recorded their first 90+ degree day of the year, according to the National Weather Service, and some in southwest Iowa may approach that mark again. Temperatures in the 80s will be common today, before multiple rounds of thunderstorms come with an approaching cold front. Some isolated severe weather is possible, especially in eastern Iowa.

DES MOINES – Two campaigns for Iowa governor have been fighting over whether one of the candidates should have appeared on the primary ballot in June. KCCI-TV reports Eddie Andrews has had his nominating papers challenged, which has been directly linked to his opponent Adam Steen. The latter has admitted that his campaign is directly challenged the candidacy of Eddie Andrews with the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office. Andrews remains on the ballot in June.

IOWA – According to the National Weather Service, breezy conditions, paired with dry grasses, low relative humidity, and gradually warming temperatures will lead to critical fire weather conditions today. Burning of any kind is not recommended.

CHICAGO – A bevy of large players made rebounding difficult for the Iowa State Cyclones, as they fell in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Men’s basketball tournament late Friday night. ISU fell to Tennessee 76-62. The Cyclones found themselves deep in the tournament despite missing All-American Justin Jefferson, who was unable to play Friday. The Iowa Hawkeyes continue their tournament journey in the Elite 8 this evening, taking on Illinois at 5:09 p.m.

HOUSTON – March Madness continues with a Cinderella-type run for the #9 seeded Iowa Hawkeyes. But it wasn’t an unfamiliar foe that the Hawks knocked off, as it was a 77-71 win over conference rival Nebraska to qualify for the school’s first Elite Eight Appearance since 1987. The Iowa State Cyclones will look to join their in-state rivals in the same round, seeking their 30th win of the season and first Elite Eight bid since 2000 against Tennessee. Tip-off is at approximately 9:10 central time on TBS.

DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds signed a temporary health maintenance organization tax increase into law on Thursday. House File 2739 narrowly passed both chambers to help address a budget gap in the state’s Medicaid budget. Health insurance companies have indicated they plan on passing the increased costs to consumers.

DES MOINES – The Iowa Environmental Council and Harkin Institute related a report this week that connects environmental factors to spiking cancer rates in Iowa. KCCI-TV reports that the three most common pesticides used in the state have links to cancer, and that the state’s rate of use is higher than most. Eighty percent of the top 25 counties with high cancer rates are largely rural.

ANKENY – A total of 15 children were injured when a vehicle left the pickup line and struck them at St. Luke’s Catholic School in Ankeny on Tuesday. WHO-13 reports nine of those were transported by ambulance and six others were taken by their families to Des Moines-area hospitals. Seven remained hospitalized as of late Wednesday night. Ankeny police say a vehicle jumped the curb outside of the school and struck a group of students ages seven to 11. An investigation is ongoing.

CEDAR RAPIDS – A Chicago felon was convicted of several theft crimes in relation to a scheme involving the use of fake U.S. Treasury checks at eastern Iowa financial institutions. KCRG-TV reports 34-year-old Tryone Harris was convicted on five counts of theft of government property, and additional identity theft and money laundering charges. In 2023, Harris is accused of trafficking five stolen U.S. Treasury checks valued at more than $300,000.

DES MOINES – The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is urging lawmakers to advance a bill that would make animal torture a felony on the first offense. KCCI-TV reports the Iowa House passed a measure unanimously, but it is now listed under unfinished business at the Iowa State House. The Iowa Senate would need to schedule the measure for discussion or debate. The state ranks 45th out of 50th for animal protection laws, according to the Animal Legal Defense Fund.