Category: State News

TRURO, IA (IRN) – Some people in the Interstate 35 Community School District call for firing their superintendent. As of Thursday morning, over 300 people had signed an online petition demanding the removal of Superintendent Sharon Dentlinger. The petition states that the community has lost confidence in Dentlinger. It claims she has failed to provide transparent and open communication with staff and the community on important safety issues for students and staff.

OSKALOOSA, IA (IRN) – Police have located a man they say shot another man Tuesday night in Oskaloosa. Twenty-two-year-old Gavin Jones could be charged with willful injury causing serious injury. Jones was apprehended in Missouri.

ELY, IA (IRN) – Fire crews in Ely battled a massive fire at a trucking repair company last night. The building was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived, and the smoke and flames could be seen from Cedar Rapids.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Gov. Kim Reynolds signed her nearly 1,600-page state government reorganization bill into law Tuesday, setting the stage for a likely long and complex implementation process. The new law will reduce the number of cabinet-level agencies from 37 to 16 by “aligning agencies with similar business operations and missions,” according to the governor’s office. Democrats say it is a “power grab.”

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa State Fair has filled two more nights on the 2023 Grandstand concert calendar, announcing a comedy show and rock concert. On August 14th, The Black Keys will headline with special guests The Velveteers. The rock duo has won five Grammys. On August 15th, comedian and ventriloquist Jeff Dunham will take the stage – along with a bunch of dummies he calls friends.

IOWA (IRN) – Struggling discount retailer Tuesday Morning has closed its three remaining Iowa stores, in West Des Moines, Coralville and Davenport. The Dallas-based discount home décor and home furnishing retailer previously had closed a store in Ankeny.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa Republican House lawmakers passed a sweeping education bill Tuesday. It would restrict LGBTQ topics in elementary schools and what books are allowed in all classrooms and school libraries. Schools would no longer be required to teach kids about HPV and the availability of a vaccine to prevent HPV. The HPV virus prevents cervical cancer, among other cancers, but Iowa Republicans say it encourages girls to be promiscuous.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – On Tuesday, Governor Reynolds signed a bill that will reorganize state government, consolidating several state agencies.The bill will effectively merge and reduce the number of state agencies from 37 to 16. The Governor says it will make government smaller, more efficient, and cost-effective. Democrats argued it will lead to less oversight and accountability, and take away services from those in need.

BOONE, IA (IRN) – A former Boone County Sheriff’s Deputy is now facing a felony charge after his K-9 overheated and died after being left in a hot car for nearly a day. Dallas Wingate, 50, is charged with Interference of a Police Dog Service. Wingate allegedly left the dog in his vehicle for 22 hours before checking on him.

KNOXVILLE, IA (IRN) – Hail damaging siding and vehicles has been reported in multiple locations throughout central Iowa, including Osceola. Tornados were spotted in rural Warren county between Knoxville and Pleasantville, with damage to some houses, and west of Pella. No injuries were reported.

ANKENY, IA (IRN) – Ankeny police want to know why a man entered someone’s apartment without permission and stayed for 30 minutes while the occupants slept. According to police, the man walked into two units at Prairie Lakes Saturday night. He hovered over a woman while she slept on the couch. The man was barefoot when he entered and later took a pair of socks from the counter and put them on before he left. The man also allegedly took a drink, used the bathroom and collected all the shoes in the house and set them next to the couch. He was inside for about a half-hour before being confronted by residents, when he left.

IOWA (IRN) – The National Weather Service has confirmed at least 10 tornadoes touched down in Iowa last Friday. Those tornadoes touched down in six eastern Iowa counties. Seven were rated EF2 tornadoes. An EF2 tornado that touched down in Wapello County had an estimated peak wind of 135 mph and had a path length of 8.1 miles.

IOWA (IRN) – The southeastern half of Iowa will once again be under a significant risk for severe weather and tornadoes for the second time in less than a week. Tuesday’s setup looks similar to last Friday’s in terms of tornadic potential and placement. The start time may be a few hours later, pushing the main hours of concern out of the school day and later into the evening.

SOLON, IA (IRN) – A Classic Rock station got knocked off the air after Friday’s tornadoes in eastern Iowa. 100.7 The Fox is not transmitting over the air after their radio tower got taken down by an EF-2 tornado near Solon.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (IRN) – First lady Jill Biden said Monday that she wants the runner-up Iowa women’s basketball team to be invited to the White House in addition to the national title winner Louisiana State University. She watched LSU’s 102-85 victory over Iowa from the stands on Sunday night. Speaking at the Colorado state capital in Denver, Biden praised Iowa’s sportsmanship and congratulated both teams on their performance.

CLAY COUNTY, IA (IRN) – An Iowa man died after a crash threw him from the tractor he was driving, according to the Iowa State Patrol. Troopers say 77-year-old Roland Dean Taylor, of Terril, died in the crash on Sunday. Taylor was driving an International 300 Utility tractor northbound on U.S. Highway 71 in Clay County. Meanwhile, a pickup truck was also traveling northbound behind the tractor. The pickup truck struck the tractor, and Taylor was thrown from the machine.

EASTERN IOWA (IRN) – After at least eight tornadoes hit eastern Iowa on Friday, a Level 4 of 5 Risk, a Moderate Risk, has once again been issued for the area for tomorrow. Another outbreak of weather is expected, including strong tornadoes, damaging wind and very large hail.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A man is dead after a shooting in Des Moines on Saturday. Witnesses told police they heard gunshots and then saw a person down before the suspect ran off. Medics performed CPR on the victim, but he later died at the hospital. This is the seventh homicide in the city this year.

DALLAS, IA (IRN) – The Hawkeyes’ historic run in the NCAA Tournament fell just short of a championship. Second-seeded Iowa lost to third-seeded LSU in the title game Sunday afternoon, 102-85, and finished the season 31-7. The victory made LSU’s Kim Mulkey the first women’s coach to win national championships at two different schools. She won three at Baylor before leaving for LSU two years ago.

SIOUX CITY, IA (IRN) – Someone in Dubuque took home a ticket that won the Lotto America record-setting jackpot. The ticket was purchased at Eichmans, a family-owned restaurant and convenience store. The winner can choose between a $40 million annuity or a $21 million cash option.

IOWA (IRN) – Violent storms swept across Iowa Friday afternoon, with several tornadoes reported in eastern parts of the state and damage to homes and buildings. Coralville and Hills were among the towns that saw extensive damage and part of Charlotte was evacuated because of a propane leak. Many homes were flattened, and the extent of the damage is being assessed. There were injuries, but so far, no deaths have been reported.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The suspect in a homicide investigation in Fort Dodge took his own life during a confrontation with police in Des Moines on Friday afternoon. Officers with the Fort Dodge Police Department and the US Marshals Service had tracked Clayton from Fort Dodge to the metro area. He was spotted in a vehicle parked at a gas station. As officers approached, he started backing the car up. He then pulled a gun and shot and killed himself.

NEWTON, IA (IRN) – The Newton Fire Department says firefighters rescued four people from a house fire Thursday night. One of the residents had called 911, saying they were on the home’s second floor. When firefighters arrived, the crew rescued the caller and three children from the second floor by ladder.

DALLAS, TX (IRN) – The University of Iowa’s women’s basketball team defeated top overall seed and previously unbeaten South Carolina 77-73 on Friday night to earn a spot in the National Championship game on Sunday afternoon. It is Iowa’s first appearance in the National Championship game. It’s South Carolina’s first loss since March 16th, 2022 snapping a 42-game winning streak. Caitlin Clark scored 41 points, a national semifinal game record, and had eight assists and six rebounds.