Category: State News

FAIRFIELD, IA (IRN) – Two teens accused of killing their Spanish teacher in Fairfield both want their trials in juvenile court. Jeremy Goodale’s attorney filed the request in Jefferson County Court. It comes after the lawyer for Willard Miller, the other teen charged in the case, filed the same motion last week. The two 16-year-olds are accused of killing Nohema Graber. Police found her body on Nov. 3 in Chautauqua Park in Fairfield after her family reported her missing earlier in the day.

IOWA (IRN) – The National Weather Service is warning of severe winds and possible tornadoes across the state today. Many school districts have already issued closings and early dismissals ahead of the severe weather. Wind speeds could pick up to 70 mph Wednesday afternoon and evening. Tree damage and fallen power lines with outages will be possible. Travel will be especially difficult for high-profile vehicles on interstates and highways.

LIBERTY CENTER, IA (IRN) – There’s a development in the ongoing investigation of a missing Liberty Center man. Andy Wadle, 37, has not been heard from since Nov. 16, when he reportedly left his family a bizarre phone call. Blood was found by his truck on a trail at Otter Creek Park. Court documents show Wadle has been accused of sexually abusing a child over a several-year period. The charges were filed Nov. 29, nearly two weeks after Wadle was last seen and heard from.

IOWA (IRN) – It has been one year since COVID-19 vaccination shots have been available in Iowa. This week, 80% of Iowa’s COVID-19 patients in ICU’s are not vaccinated.

ANKENY, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division released its annual financial report and showed that $415.8 million were made in liquor sales in the 2021 fiscal year – a massive 13.2% increase over the previous year. The top five selling brands? Black Velvet Canadian Whisky, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum, Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey, and Hawkeye Vodka.

MALVERN, IA (IRN) – Fire destroyed the Mulholland Grocery on Main Street in Malvern, Iowa Monday evening destroying the familiar, popular and widely-used business. Mulholland Grocery served as a grocery store, catering business and butcher shop for residents throughout Mills County. It was the only grocery store in town. The business first opened in the 1870s as a dry goods store.

POWESHIEK COUNTY, IA (IRN) – Steven Alan Vogel, who was found guilty of Murder in the first degree and guilty of abuse of the corpse of Michael Williams, was sentenced to life in prison and an additional 5 years. Officials in Jasper County found Williams’ body burning in a roadside ditch on September 16th. Investigators say Vogel hit Williams multiple times in the head with a baseball bat before strangling and killing him.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A trio of Iowa state budget experts predicted Monday that state revenue will increase by about 3% for the current fiscal year and 1.7% next year, leaving billions of dollars in unspent money. Republican leaders say the money should be returned to Iowans in the form of tax cuts.

URBANDALE, IA (IRN) – Five different books, labeled inappropriate by some parents, will stay on Urbandale school shelves. A committee held a meeting Monday to discuss pulling the books from the school library. The committee voted on each book individually, voting to keep all of them.

WEST DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Hy-Vee is sending food and water to those devastated by tornadoes in Mayfield, Kentucky. Nearly 40 Hy-Vee employees and volunteers were in West Des Moines Saturday morning loading snacks and water into a fleet of disaster relief trucks. After a stop in Chariton to gain more food and water, the trucks traveled to Mayfield, Kentucky to distribute the food. In total, Hy-Vee is sending 328,000 bottles of water and 225 thousand snacks like granola bars and chips.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – The Iowa Chapter of the American Red Cross is asking for blood donations after Friday night tornadoes destroyed entire communities and killed dozens in five states. To make an appointment, go to redcrossblood.org.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – The murder trial for a 20-year-old Cedar Rapids man accused of killing his father, mother and sister will be pushed back to April 2022. The trial for Alexander Jackson was originally set for January 25, but is now set to start on April 5. Police found 61-year-old Jan Jackson, 68-year-old Melissa Jackson and 19-year-old Sabrina Jackson dead. Alexander Jackson has pleaded not guilty.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The search is underway for a 11-year-old boy from Des Moines who is missing. Fray Sanchez voluntarily left home riding a green BMX-style bike and hasn’t returned. He’s approximately 5’2” tall and weighs approximately 95 lbs.

WEBSTER CITY, IA (IRN) – An inmate escaped Webster County jail around 11 p.m. Saturday. The inmate, 43-year-old Jordan Mefferd of Fort Dodge, escaped through a third story window using sheets tied together to climb down into an alley. After a car chase, he was apprehended. Mefferd is facing felony eluding and felony escape charges. Destiny Sumpter, 27, is charged with violation of probation and aiding and abetting felony escape.

AMES, IA (IRN) – T.J. Otzelberger became the first Iowa State coach to win his first 10 games with the team, guiding the 17th-ranked Cyclones past Jackson State 47-37 on Sunday. The Cyclones improved to 10-0 after ending last season with 18 straight losses.

IOWA (IRN) – Lawyers for Gov. Kim Reynolds are arguing in court that she was too busy to respond quickly to public-records requests this year due to the pandemic, and that her decision-making process is shielded from disclosure by executive privilege. The governor’s office has made those arguments in recent weeks as part of an effort to dispose of two lawsuits alleging she and her staff have violated the Iowa Open Records Law.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – One hundred health care professionals are being contracted to work at over a dozen medical facilities across Iowa. The Iowa Department of Public Health says the health care providers will be nurses and respiratory therapists, a need during the pandemic. They will work at facilities across Iowa that provide 1, 2, and 3 trauma level care.

IOWA (IRN) – Deer hunters found a dead mountain lion with a broken snare around its neck in east-central Iowa. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources said the nearly 120-pound cat was found Tuesday in Poweshiek County by a group of hunters.

SIOUX CITY, IA (IRN) – Sioux City is considering spending $250,000 in federal coronavirus relief funds to provide a $300 bonus to city employees a little more than a week before Christmas.

STORY COUNTY, IA (IRN) – Just weeks before Christmas, thieves are targeting people who spend their lives helping others in Story County. On Thursday, cars were broken into in the parking lots of two long-term care facilities Bethany Life and Accura Healthcare. Multiple car windows were smashed and purses were stolen. The suspects then went to Walmart where they quickly used stolen credit cards.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Volunteers and visitors will be allowed to enter all Cedar Rapids Community School District buildings beginning on Jan. 3. Masks will be required.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Iowa’s leading rusher has played his final game as a Hawkeye. Running back Tyler Goodson announced Friday he will skip the bowl game and his senior season to focus on the NFL Draft. Goodson has led Iowa in rushing the past three seasons.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Maurine Nieman is a professor of biology at the University of Iowa. Two years ago, she lost her son JJ to the flu. Inspired by her tragic loss, she teamed up with Families Fighting Flu and her students to create a video game to teach kids about the flu and the importance of vaccination. The game is called “Flu’s Clues,” and is available online.