Category: State News

DES MOINES – A report commissioned by the Des Moines Public School Board claims the search firm hired to review details about now-former Superintendent Ian Roberts missed several concerns before his hire, or did not disclose them to the district. The Des Moines Register reports the Dickinson Bradshaw law firm claims that JG Consulting did not inform the board about Roberts use of a false resume and doctored transcript prior to his hiring. It also alleges the search firm did not vet Roberts or his immigration status — he was arrested in September and faces deportation. The law firm also claims that JG did not use E-verify, despite implications it would.

IOWA – A total of 244 people have died on Iowa’s roadways, approximately 20% below the five-year average as the holiday travel season ramps up. The Iowa DOT reports an average 58 people have been killed in crashes statewide in November and December combined since 2020. The Iowa State Patrol reminds all drivers to obey posted speed laws, wear seatbelts, and avoid driving while intoxicated or distracted by devices, especially with additional vehicles expected during the Thanksgiving holiday travel weekend.

IOWA – Meteorologists are monitoring a potentially impactful precipitation system across the state after Thanksgiving. The National Weather Service is cautioning that a system could track into the state Friday evening and impact Iowans through Monday morning. What, if any snow, remains to be determined, but much colder air will settle into the state by Wednesday, which has increased the concerns about an impactful winter weather system. More forecast details are expected by the middle of the week.

FAYETTE – A Fayette man died in an ATV crash on Friday afternoon. The Iowa State Patrol reports 84-year-old Veryl Burghardt was driving a four-wheeler on a rural road, when it crashed in a ditch. The man later died from his injuries. Several Fayette County agencies responded.

DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the first influenza-related death of the 2025-26 respiratory virus season. The individual was an older adult from southwest Iowa. Iowa’s most recent Respiratory Virus Surveillance Report shows the virus at a very low level of activity, and hospitals are currently reporting low patient admission rates. Although flu activity in Iowa is currently low, Iowans can take a few simple precautions to keep themselves and their families healthy throughout the respiratory virus season. Vaccination protects from serious illness and death from respiratory diseases like flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

DES MOINES – A 13-page report released this week summarizes the hiring process of former Des Miones Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts. The document details what board members knew and was created by a Des Moines law firm on behalf of the board. A special session was held Friday to release the document. Roberts was arrested in late-September by federal immigration officers. The district is in a litigation battle with JG Consulting, the group that recommended Roberts following a background check and other factors.

DES MOINES – A federal grand jury in Des Moines charged a Des Moines man with computer fraud. The Indictment alleges that 34-year-old Ezekiel Dean Potter after being terminated by his employer in April 2023, accessed or attempted to access to the employer’s computer systems without the employer’s authorization. When he gained access, Potter reset usernames and passwords for the employer’s accounts and deleted or revoked access to employer’s accounts. The Indictment alleges Potter engaged in this conduct for over a year and a half—from May 14, 2023, until at least January 16, 2025.

WEST DES MOINES – An Iowa nursing home has been sued at least 17 times for wrongful death and negligence since 2024. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports Care Initiatives, a non-profit based in West Des Moines, oversees 43 nursing homes in the state. Several cases have been settled in the last 16 months, while some remain in litigation.

IOWA – Thanksgiving travel should likely be much colder than the anticipated above average temperatures expected this weekend in the state. The National Weather Service shows after highs will top 60 for many this Saturday and Sunday, much colder air could be settling in during one of the busiest travel days of the year on Wednesday. Forecasters caution it’s still too early to determine, what, if any, precipitation comes with the colder air over the holiday, and more details about the possibility will become clearer by early next week.

DES MOINES – The Des Moines School Board has accepted the resignation of another district administrator. The Des Moines Register reports Chief Academic Officer Robert Lundin is no longer in the role after a 5-0 vote. Lundin has been on administrative leave since October 6th for an undisclosed reason. According to the separation agreement, he will remain on paid leave until June.

DYERSVILLE – The Field of Dreams will once again host professional baseball. KCCI-TV reports that Major League Baseball made an announcement Wednesday that the Minnesota Twins and Philadelphia Phillies will compete in Dyersville on August 13th, streamed on Netflix. The lead up to the game includes a contest between the Iowa Cubs and St. Paul Saints on August 11th. This is the first time the field has hosted the MLB since 2022.

ATLANTIC – The former Atlantic chamber of commerce director has pled not guilty to several felony theft charges. WHO-13 reports 33-year-old Bailey Smith turned herself into police in October for a warrant on multiple counts of theft, fraudulent practice, and ongoing criminal conduct. Smith is accused of making more than 700 personal transactions totaling nearly $27,000 while serving as the Atlantic chamber director for five years.

BLACK HAWK COUNTY – The Grundy County Sheriff’s Office has identified the man killed in an officer-involved shooting on Sunday. Several law enforcement agencies attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by 47-year-old Waterloo resident Benjamin Sink, who was wanted on several charges related to a domestic relationship. Sink claim refused to stop, and a pursuit ensued. His vehicle was disabled utilizing stop sticks, and Sink then exited his vehicle, produced a firearm, and fired at officers. Deputies with the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office and a Trooper with the Iowa State Patrol returned fire, striking Sink. He was transported to Mercy One Hospital in Waterloo for treatment but later was pronounced dead. The officers involved were uninjured and placed on critical incident leave in accordance with their department policies.

DES MOINES – A woman reported missing in Iowa nearly a decade-and-a-half ago has been found alive in another state. WHO-13 reports the Des Moines Police Department announced the woman reportedly disappeared in 2011. The woman and her partner were coming from South Carolina before she became separated. That missing person was recently found safe in Nebraska.

CEDAR RAPIDS – Twelve total Iowa-based newspapers were bought by a Minnesota-based company this week. The Des Moines Register reports Adams Multimedia has purchased The Gazette in Cedar Rapids, which will be completed by December 1st. A news release details that most employees will join the new company, but not necessarily all. A series of newspapers in southeast Iowa in Fairfield, Mount Pleasant, Washington, and Williamsburg were also part of the transaction.