WATERLOO, MidAmerican Energy is taking the final steps to flip the switch at the company’s first utility-scale solar energy project, located in Waterloo. In mid-November, MidAmerican will power-up the 3-megawatt Waterloo solar project, comprising nearly 10,000 solar panels. The array has the capacity to serve nearly 650 average Iowa homes. DESOTO, IA (IRN) – A Fort Dodge man is in the Dallas County jail accused of assaulting his pregnant girlfriend in an attempt to to cause a miscarriage. 31-year-old Michael Canady was arrested on Saturday at the Edgewater Motel in DeSoto after his girlfriend called 911 to report an assault. The victim told police that Canady hit her in the face and head – even biting her face – and hit her multiple times in the abdomen. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – A former Linn-Mar high school track and field coach is facing several charges – including kidnapping and sexual abuse. Kameron Marrelle Beets, 29, was arrested Monday in Cedar Rapids. He’s charged with third-degree kidnapping, third-degree sexual abuse, sexual exploitation of a minor, sexual exploitation by a school employee, and invasion of privacy. He’s accused of using his position as owner and operator of B.E.A.S.T. Academy, a high school sports photography company, to reach victims. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – There are roughly 284,000 Iowans ages 5-11 that could soon be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention could approve the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 5-11 as soon as Nov. 4. About 99,000 doses are expected to arrive in Iowa between Oct. 27 and Nov. 4. ANKENY, IA (IRN) – An Ankeny woman is now the first female enlisted infantry soldier in the Iowa National Guard. Private Taylor Patterson joined the Guard in June 2020. Patterson was not the first female to enlist as an infantryman in the Iowa National Guard, but the 22 other women before her were unable to complete the intense 22-week training at Fort Benning, Georgia.

DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – MidAmerican Energy says customers can expect their total bills to increase this winter by 46-96%. Natural gas market prices have more than doubled from this time last year. Increased global demand coupled with limited production and inventory have greatly increased the cost of natural gas. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Detectives have made an arrest in the death of a 21-year-old man who was shot to death in Des Moines Friday. 27-year-old Darren Antwon Diggs was charged with first-degree murder and robbery. Police say Digg and the victim knew each other and that the motive appears to be drug-related robbery. COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA (IRN) – A Council Bluffs woman was fatally shot in her home early Friday, and police are searching for a 28-year-old man in the killing. INDEPENDENCE, IA (IRN) – State and local authorities are investigating a death in Independence on Saturday night. Shortly before midnight the Independence Police Department was sent to a report of a medical emergency at an apartment. Officers located a 29-year-old female who was unresponsive and tried to revive her. She later died. IOWA (IRN) – Both Iowa and Iowa State football have moved up in the latest AP poll. Iowa, which had an off week, is now the No. 9 team in the country. Iowa State, which is coming off a dramatic win over formerly No. 8 Oklahoma State, is back in the top 25 at No. 22. Both teams hit the road for week nine. Iowa will take on Wisconsin and Iowa State will take on West Virginia.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Detectives have made an arrest in the death of a 21-year-old man who was shot to death in northeast Des Moines. 27-year-old Darren Antwon Diggs was charged with first-degree murder and robbery. Police say Digg and the victim knew each other and that the motive appears to be drug-related robbery. COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA (IRN) – A Council Bluffs woman was fatally shot in her home early Friday, and police are searching for a 28-year-old man in the killing. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A man was arrested after leading law enforcement on a chase that ended with him crashing into a Des Moines home Friday night. He faces multiple charges. AMES, IA (IRN) – Iowa State is back in the Big 12 race again. Brock Purdy threw for 307 yards and two touchdowns, the defense stopped Oklahoma State inches short on a fourth-and-2 late in the game, and the Cyclones beat the No. 8 Cowboys 24-21 on Saturday.

NEVADA, IA (IRN) – A Colorado man accused of killing his girlfriend’s two-year-old son at her Ames apartment in April is now behind bars in Iowa. Twenty-five-year-old Trevin Nicholson was booked into the Story County Jail on a charge of First Degree Murder on Thursday. WARREN COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A pedestrian was hit and killed on southbound Interstate 35 in southwestern Warren County Friday evening. The Iowa State Patrol said the pedestrian was hit west of New Virginia. WOODWARD, IA (IRN) – The Woodward City Council has approved a plan to allow a company to build a more than 1 million-square-foot warehouse. The name of the company has not been revealed. The warehouse will employ 1,000 people, and it could open up by September 2022. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Today’s football game between Drake and Stetson in Des Moines has been canceled due to coronavirus concerns among Drake personnel. Under the league’s rules, Drake will forfeit the game.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Kimberly Dickey, who is the project director for NextEra Energy’s proposed 3,500 acre solar farm in Linn County, is a former chair for the same Linn County commission set to vote on her new development. Dickey also helped write Linn county’s comprehensive plan, which helps guide the county’s physical, social and economic development. AMES, IA (IRN) – Two Iowa State University crew club members were participating in their first practice on the water when they drowned in March after their boat capsized in strong winds. New findings released Wednesday report the pandemic had kept the club off the water for 18 months, and investigators concluded that team members’ excitement for a chance to return likely clouded their judgment about safety. Three other members made it to shore, two of them with help from bystanders. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Gov. Kim Reynolds says she may take legal action against President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate that goes into effect November 1. Reynolds says Biden is overreaching and she wants to protect Iowans who don’t want the vaccine. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Weeks ahead of the Nov. 1 mandate, 100% of employees at Broadlawns Medical Center became fully vaccinated. Five employees quit. JOHNSON COUNTY, IA (IRN) – The Iowa DOT is looking for public input in proposed improvements on Interstate 380 in Johnson County, including the proposed widening to six lanes for a portion of the highway.