Category: State News

WELDON – An EF-1 tornado was confirmed near the town of Weldon on Thursday night, according to the National Weather Service. Storm cleanup followed on Friday, according to KCCI-TV. Several damaged homes and downed trees were reported in the community. There were four additional tornadoes confirmed in western Iowa. An active pattern in April continues on Monday, with more severe weather possible.

DES MOINES – Lawmakers have approved a bill that increases the speed limit on two-lane highways to 60 miles per hour. The Des Moines Register reports the current 55 MPH number was established in 1973 as a response to an international oil embargo. A national study shows an increase of five miles per hour on speed limits typically leads to an 8.5% increase in fatality rates on highways and interstates. It will cost nearly $825,000 to implement the changes.

DES MOINES, Iowa – Two world-leading times during the evening session highlighted the action Friday in the 116th running of the Drake Relays in sunny, breezy weather at Drake Stadium. Eight records were set in all, pushing the two-day total to 12 in this latest edition of America’s Athletic Classic. Gracie Hyde in the women’s steeplechase and Oklahoma State in the women’s 4×800 set the fastest pace among the record breakers, while South Dakota pole vaulters soared to the greatest heights. Today marks the finals of the event.

DES MOINES – Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.4 percent in February, the same as in January and down slightly from 3.5 percent one year ago. The U.S. unemployment rate increased to 4.4 percent in February. The total number of unemployed Iowans decreased to 58,700 in February from 59,100 in January.

DES MOINES – Iowa House Republicans passed a bill to ban warrant resolution clinics. WHO-13 reports House Study Bil 780 was introduced on Wednesday and passed committee meetings on Thursday. A warrant resolution clinic was held in Des Moines on April 3rd, which helped 50 people resolve low-level, non-violent warrants. The bill was created in part due to one of those participants, 46-year-old Sharneeka Evans, who one week later was charged with first-degree murder for the death of 36-year-old Ashley Hall.

IOWA – Multiple severe thunderstorms were reported from the western border of the state through central Iowa on Thursday. A tornado was spotted near Mitchellville, according to the National Weather Service, and multiple wind gusts up to 70 MPH were reported in Lamoni. Storm damage was spotted in southern Iowa as part of the line of storms.

DES MOINES – The Iowa House passed another version of property tax legislation, but no agreement has been reached as the session passes its original deadline. KCCI-TV reports an amended version of Senate File 2472 passed in a 64-23 vote on Wednesday, which included several changes from the version that nearly passed the Iowa Senate unanimously earlier this month. The new version imposes a 2% hard cap on revenue growth for city and county governments.

IOWA CITY – An arrest warrant has been issued in relation to a shooting in Iowa City that injured five people this past weekend. WHO-13 reports Iowa City Police held a press conference on Wednesday that detailed more about the incident that injured three University of Iowa students. A large fight broke out early Sunday morning involving approximately 40 people. Police claim that 17-year-old Damarian Jones of Cedar Rapids was involved in the fight and acquired a fireman and fired six shots into the crowd. He faces five counts of attempted murder.

IOWA – It could be another active severe weather day across the state. Scattered storms could produce damaging wind and isolated tornadoes in pockets of Iowa. Thousands of people are expected to be at the Drake Relays starting today as well, and the National Weather Service reminds those who attend outdoor activities to stay weather aware.

DES MOINES – A lack of deal on property taxes and no finalization of the state budget are why lawmakers have gone passed the 100-day per diem in the 2026 Legislative Session. The Des Moines Register reports lawmakers often target that day as the final of the session, but several differences remain between the Iowa House and Senate versions of legislation that could significantly reduce property taxes.

OTTUMWA – A Sigourney man faces a first-degree murder charge following a fatal shooting in Ottumwa on Tuesday. KCCI-TV reports 24-year-old Michael Joe Johnson was arrested Tuesday afternoon and also faces a felony burglary charge. Ottumwa Police responded to a shooting and found 45-year-old Jeremy Ray Showalter suffering from a gunshot wound.

CLAY COUNTY – A motorcyclist in northwest Iowa was airlifted to a hospital after he and his bike were dragged under a semi. WHO-13 reports the 65-year-old was traveling northbound when it collided with a semi near Spencer. The motorcyclist was initially transported to by ambulance to a local hospital before being relocated to Sioux City.

DES MOINES – Today is the final day lawmakers receive per-diem payments for the Iowa Legislative Session, and lawmakers are still trying to find a solution to reducing property taxes before adjourning. A public hearing is scheduled for the Iowa House to consider a Senate proposal for the issue. Senate File 2472 passed with near-unanimous support before Iowa House Republicans passed a more-partisan line measure, according to the Des Moines Register.

GRAND JUNCTION – A Perry man has been charged with murder in relation to a death in Greene County. KCCI-TV reports that Sebastian Ramirez faces a count of first degree murder in relation to the death of Alex Treft. The Greene County Sheriff’s Office responded to an incident in Grand Junction on Sunday.

IOWA – Governor Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation for Carroll, Crawford, Grundy, Harrison, and Washington Counties in response to severe weather that occurred on April 13. Governor Reynolds’ proclamation allows state resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of this severe weather and activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program and the Disaster Case Advocacy Program for those counties. The proclamation is effective immediately and will remain in effect for 30 days unless terminated or extended.