Category: State News

MARSHALL COUNTY (IRN) – One of the deadliest summers in recent years continued on Iowa’s roadways this week. The Iowa State Patrol reported four fatal crashes since Sunday in Marshall, Cedar, Chickasaw, and Winnebago Counties. As of Wednesday, the year 2023 has outpaced the previous five year average for fatal crashes by 21%, as 194 people have died on the road in the state so far this year.

AMES (IRN) – The fiscal year ending June 30 signaled a record level of investment in roads and bridges based on projects awarded through the Iowa Department of Transportation. Since July 1, 2022, over $1.47 billion across 839 projects was awarded to contractors through the Iowa DOT to improve mobility for those who travel throughout the state and to increase the safety of roads and bridges at the city, county, and state levels.

BAGLEY (IRN) – A missed deadline means no property tax collection for an Iowa town. KCCI-tv reports the City of Bagley did not file their certified budget on time, causing a $50,000 hit to their general operations, which could have a wide reaching impact. The city council and mayor failed to report their projected expenses and revenues for the current fiscal year this past spring.

NEWTON (IRN) – Fresh off of an ESPYs victory, a summer of celebration continues for Iowa’s most famous active athlete. Caitlin Clark has been named the Grand Marshal for Saturday’s Hy-Vee Homefront 250 race at Iowa Speedway. Clark will deliver the message to start engines and participate in other activities–including a meet and greet, according to the Des Moines Register.

DES MOINES (IRN) – Governor Kim Reynolds announced that her administration has now implemented the alignment bill passed by the legislature last session. Senate File 514, which became effective on July 1, reduces the number of cabinet-level departments from 37 to 16 by consolidating agencies with similar functions and centralizing programs that serve similar needs. The legislation also eliminated more than 500 unfilled positions. The governor also introduced a new state logo that will be adopted by executive branch departments.

HIGHWAY 20 (IRN) – The Iowa State Patrol announced a partnership with 12 agencies as part of an ongoing effort to patrol Highway 20. The effort started in Iowa has spread to 12 states along the highway for what was the longest stretch of highway in the nation in 1989 at over 3,000 miles long. The Highway 20 Speed Enforcement project is a bimonthly collaborative effort, taking place on a select day with two, two-hour initiatives in the morning and evening. On July 13th, 691 contacts were made with motorists on the highway in 12 states, resulting in 389 citations.

CAMP DODGE (IRN) – The Iowa National Guard is joining the Department of Defense in celebrating 30 years of the State Partnership Program this week. The program was developed to pair state National Guards with established European countries during the dissolution of the Soviet Union to facilitate cooperation with all aspects of civil-military affairs and encourage state-level ties. Governor Kim Reynolds and Maj. Gen. Stephen Osborn, the Adjutant General of the Iowa National Guard, are marking the occasion by recommitting their support for the program. In 2011, the Iowa National Guard formed a unique partnership with Kosovo, and earlier this year, Governor Reynolds traveled to Kosovo to meet with President Vjosa Osmani on an international trade mission.

DES MOINES (IRN) – Three foods will compete for the title of the best new option at the Iowa State Fair. Fair officials have taken 64 new offerings down to the finals, and according to KCCI-TV, the Bacon Box’s grinder ball, Watcha Smokin’s Iowa Twinkie, and What’s Your Cheez’s deep-fried bacon brisket mac and cheese grilled cheese are the choices. Fairgoers will have the chance to try all three and vote for their favorite between August 10th and the 14th, with the winner announced on Wednesday, August 16th.

DES MOINES (IRN) – A temporary injunction has been placed on a newly-signed bill restricting abortion in Iowa. The Des Moines Register reports the block on the fetal heartbeat law signed by Governor Kim Reynolds reverts the state back to the 20-week law in place after the Iowa Supreme Court split their decision on reviving the 2018 version of the legislation. The temporary block is in place as the litigation process plays out. The law bans nearly all abortions in Iowa, with narrow exceptions for rape, incest, and medical emergencies that threaten the life of the mother.

DES MOINES (IRN) – Voters in a Des Moines City Council ward are threatening to sue their representative for not showing up to meetings. KCCI-TV reports that Indira Sheumaker has not made it to a meeting since March 6th. Voters say the council member has not communicated to anyone during that time, including a group that is demanding she return or resign. Sheumaker has been collecting a salary of $28,000 and health benefits. Her term continues until January 2026.

WEST DES MOINES (IRN) – A driver killed in a single vehicle crash in West Des Moines has been identified. WHO-13 reports 37 year old Thomas Davis of Des Moines was traveling eastbound at a high rate of speed on Interstate 80, when he left the road and hit the Jordan Creek Bridge Sunday morning. Davis was the only occupant of the vehicle and pronounced dead on scene, and no other vehicles were believed to be involved.

DES MOINES (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Agriculture’s weekly update showed more than half of Iowa’s corn, soybeans, and oats remain in good or excellent condition. As of Sunday, 64% of Iowa’s corn and 58% of the soybean crop is in the top two categories. Hay and pasture remain in the worst shape due to the ongoing drought that has all of Iowa rated abnormally dry or worse — 24% of pasture is in poor or very poor shape. The crop progress for nearly all crops is ahead of schedule when compared to the five year average with the exception of soybeans.

WEST DES MOINES (IRN) – A Sunday crash left one driver dead in West Des Moines. The Des Moines Register reports a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed left the roadway and hit the Jordan Creek Bridge over Interstate 80. The driver was the sole occupant and has not been identified publicly by police.

CEDAR RAPIDS (IRN) – One person was injured in Cedar Rapids after a reported shooting. KCRG-TV reports the Cedar Rapids Police Department responded to possible gunshots near a home, and a person inside the house was hit by a single bullet. Police say that individual was in stable condition as of Sunday.

SIOUX CITY (IRN) – In less than one week thousands of bike riders will be treking across the state in the 50th Anniversary of RAGBRAI. The Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa starts on July 23rd in Sioux City, and this year, travels through Storm Lake, Carroll, Ames, Des Moines, Tama, Coralville, and Davenport. This year, organizers are aiming to have close to 100,000 riders pass through the capital city, which would shatter the previous event record of 48,615.

NEWTON (IRN) – An actor on many TV and movie screens in the 90s and 2000s has found a second career in racing. Frankie Muniz is participating in the 2023 Calypso Lemonade 150 on Saturday at the Iowa Speedway. The star of Malcolm in the Middle has found his footing on racetracks across the country, according to KCCI-TV in Des Moines.

DES MOINES (IRN) – Governor Kim Reynolds signed a fetal heartbeat abortion bill into law Friday at the Family Leader Summit. Reynolds signature immediately places a near total ban on all abortions in Iowa, with some exceptions for rape, incest, and to protect the life of the mother. The measure has been challenged in court, and according to the Des Moines Register, a Polk County district judge will rule as soon as Monday whether the law will remain in effect.

CASS COUNTY (IRN) – Three people died in a two vehicle crash in Cass County Friday afternoon. The Iowa State Patrol reports a Ford F350 driven by 43 year old Michael Adam Warnaca of Exira was traveling northbound on Highway 71 and for unknown reasons crossed the center line and struck a Toyota Camry head-on driven by 46 year old Erick William Kerkman of North Liberty. The two drivers were killed, as was a teenage girl riding in the Camry. A male juvenile in each vehicle survived but were injured. There have been 188 people killed on Iowa’s roadways so far in 2023, an increase of 20% over the prior five-year average.

NORWALK (IRN) – A man found guilty of first-degree murder in connection to a stabbing in Norwalk has been sentenced. The Des Moines Register reports 38 year old Antonio Lavell Lewis was found guilty for the killing of 31-year-old Karisa Shendelman last September. Lewis will be in prison for the rest of his life following a hearing held this past week.

CARROLL (IRN) – While Iowa’s High School baseball players prepare to compete for state championships next week, fans not in Carroll for the festivities will have to pay to watch the games if they want to do so online or on their cellular device. While the Iowa High School Athletic Association has filed a lawsuit against broadcast partner Iowa High School Sports Network, the latter has not been prevented from charging a $9.99 pay per view or $18.99 tournament pass to view games via their app or website. The games remain fee on certain local and cable television channels across the state, but those without traditional satellite or cable will have to pay. No hearing has been scheduled in the lawsuit in Polk County District Court.