Category: State News

IOWA (IRN) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture projects the annual corn crop yield should increase in 2023, especially as harvest begins to loom. The August projections show the forecast for the state is 2.62 billion bushels, up six percent from last year, with an average of 2023 bushels per acre. Soybean and oat production is expected to be down from 2022, at five and two percent respectively.

DES MOINES (IRN) – One of Iowa’s biggest employers is once again requiring in-person working. Principal Financial told most of their local workers that they will need to report to the office at least three days per week by November 6th, according to Axios Des Moines. This comes as many downtown Des Moines employers are shrinking their footprint. The Des Moines Register reports Nationwide and Wells Fargo are among the employers selling their downtown spaces.

CEDAR RAPIDS (IRN) – An Iowa man was found not guilty for driving through a crowd of abortion-rights protestors. David Alan Huston is not guilty of assault and fleeing the scene, according to KWWL. A group was protesting in front of a federal courthouse in Cedar Rapids following the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2023, when Huston drove by. He claimed that the protestors swarmed his vehicle and blocked traffic when he had a green light. One woman was hit in the ensuing collision.

***Not for KNIA/KRLS***
KNOXVILLE (IRN) – Thousands of race fans have gathered in the Sprint Car Capital of the World for the 62nd NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals. The biggest sprint car racing weekend in the world features dozens of drivers from across the globe competing for the most prestigious title in the sport — Knoxville Nationals Champion. Eleven-time title winner Donny Schatz (shots) won the crown in 2022. He is in the field of finalists racing tonight in Knoxville.

AMES (IRN) – Another round of Iowa and Iowa State athletes have been charged in connection with a gambling probe and college sports. The Des Moines Register reports Cyclone running back Jirehl Brock and teammate Isaiah Lee, and former Hawkeyes Arland Bruce and Reggie Bracy allegedly bet on games in which they competed. Iowa State’s DeShawn Hanika and Jacob Remsburg and Iowa’s Jack Johnson are accused of placing bets on college sports while participating. Many of the players involved were also alleged to have placed bets underage. They join seven other current or former Division I athletes in the state in facing charges related to wagering.

IOWA (IRN) – Despite some improvement, all of Iowa remains abnormally dry, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor Report. While some of the state has seen rounds of rainfall, it’s been generally spotty from system-to-sytem, and 78% of the state is in moderate or worse drought — or an estimated 2.2 million Iowans.

DAVENPORT (IRN) – A Davenport man was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for production and possession of child pornography. According to public court documents, William Richard Trudell was identified by law enforcement as a person of interest after a cybertip was received by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that reported that images of child pornography had been uploaded. Law enforcement traced the email that was used to upload the images back to Trudell. During a search of Trudell’s electronic devices, officers located hundreds of images. The investigation also revealed that Trudell had been sexually abusing a minor child over a three-year period and produced child pornography images and videos.

URBANDALE (IRN) – An Urbandale man has been found guilty for murder in relation to the death of his wife in 2020. KCCI-TV reports Dustin Lee Sample will face a mandatory life sentence for a first degree murder charge. Sample killed his wife Mary, who was found dead with head trauma in her home.

FORT DODGE (IRN) – Warrants have been issued for two men in connection with a shooting in Fort Dodge. Police are searching for Jason H. Ferguson and Austin S. Ferguson in connection to a July incident, according to WHO-13.

DES MOINES (IRN) – Former president Donald Trump will make an appearance at the Iowa State Fair after many of his competitors for the Republican nomination had announced conversations with Governor Kim Reynolds. The Des Moines Register reports the 45th president of the United States will be at the fairgrounds Saturday afternoon with several Florida Republicans endorsing his campaign in an apparent attempt to distract from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and his stop in Des Moines. Trump is not expected to participate in Reynolds’ planned conversations.

STATE CENTER (IRN) – An electrician died Tuesday while on the job. The Des Moines Register reports a man was found unresponsive at 7:30 a.m. after suffering from high voltage. According to the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, he worked for the State Center electric utility.

FORT DODGE (IRN) – A Fort Dodge woman accused of drowning an infant shortly after giving birth has a plea hearing next week. Taylor Blaha is charged with first degree murder from an incident in November 2022. Prosecutors allege Blaha and the child’s father Brandon Thoma killed the newborn in their apartment. Thoma plead guilty to child endangerment resulting death and faces up to 60 years in prison, according to WHO-13.

DAVENPORT (IRN) – An Iowa City man was sentenced yesterday to 15 years in federal prison for receiving child pornography. According to public court documents, and evidence presented at sentencing, William Robert Adams, 23, was identified through a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children after suspected child pornography was found on the social media platform Snapchat. During the execution of a search warrant on Adams and his residence, law enforcement located numerous pictures and videos of children ranging in age from toddler to age 16. Law enforcement also found evidence that Adams was buying and selling child pornography online.

DES MOINES (IRN) – The Iowa State Fair begins Thursday. Thousands of visitor are expected to converge on the southeast side of Des Moines over the ten days. The new food item finalists for top prize this year are the Iowa Twinkie, Grinder Ball, and Deep-Fried Bacon Brisket Mac-n-Cheese Grilled Cheese.

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.