WAUKEE, IA (IRN) – A Waukee man is facing assault charges after allegedly attempting to infect a police officer with COVID-19. Mark Bishop, 61, was arrested at his home Tuesday on separate charges for assault while displaying a dangerous weapon. During Bishop’s arrest, he repeatedly coughed in an officer’s face after telling him he was positive for COVID-19. Bishop was charged with assault with intent to inflict serious injury. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Gov. Kim Reynolds has made adjustments to her emergency health proclamation as Iowa’s COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have declined. Reynolds announced bars and restaurants can resume their normal hours of operations, but patrons must be seated. Spectators at high school, youth or adult recreation events will be expanded to include members of the participant’s household. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health received a notice Wednesday from the federal government saying Iowa will not be receiving as many COVID-19 vaccines as expected. The allocation may be reduced by as much as 30%. STORM LAKE, IA (IRN) – Tyson Foods has fired seven top managers at its largest pork plant after an independent investigation into allegations that they bet on how many workers would test positive for the coronavirus. The company said the investigation revealed troubling behavior that resulted in the firings at the plant in Waterloo. An outbreak centered around the plant infected more than 1,000 employees, at least six of whom died. DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) – The Iowa Hospital Association says the financial impact of COVID-19 on Iowa hospitals is projected to be $433 million loss. Half of Iowa hospitals were operating at a financial loss at the end of October.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Gov. Kim Reynolds on Wednesday said she will make adjustments to her emergency health proclamation as Iowa’s COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have declined. Reynolds announced bars and restaurants can resume their normal hours of operations, but patrons must still be seated. Spectators at high school, youth or adult recreation events will be slightly expanded to include the members of participant’s household. STORM LAKE, IA (IRN) – The family of a man who died from COVID-19 while working at a Tyson pork plant in Storm Lake has filed a lawsuit accusing the company and several plant executives of gross negligence. Michael Everhard, 65, of Fonda, died June 18, three weeks after being diagnosed with the virus. His family contends he caught the virus at the plant, where he worked for 27 years. The lawsuit argues Tyson and its managers required Everhard to continue working in an environment “rife with coronavirus” and didn’t implement safety precautions to protect him and other workers from contracting the virus. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – An apartment fire on Des Moines’ north side forced the entire building to evacuate into freezing weather on Tuesday. No one was hurt, and the Red Cross was on the scene to help find shelter for the victims. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign leaders say they’re low on donations and volunteers this holiday season. In Cedar Rapids, the annual campaign funds more than half of the Salvation Army’s budget. With people shopping online more because of the pandemic, the kettles are seeing less foot traffic and, thus, less change. The Cedar Rapids fundraiser is behind by $60,000 compared to where it was last year. IOWA (IRN) – Iowa State and Iowa have moved up in the College Football Playoff positions on Tuesday. According to the Associated Press, the Iowa State Cyclones (8-2) moved up to No. 6 as they face No. 10 Oklahoma this weekend at the Big 12 Championship. The University of Iowa Hawkeyes (6-2) stayed at No. 16. Their game against Michigan this week was canceled over COVID-19 concerns. IOWA (IRN) – Iowans have upped their consumption of liquor during the pandemic. But what are we drinking? Black Velvet Whisky held onto its longtime No. 1 spot as the best selling liquor in Iowa, according to the annual report from the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division. Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum, Hawkeye Vodka and Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey rounded out the top five this year.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Des Moines city officials announced Tuesday that continued spread of COVID-19 has prompted changes to the mayor’s emergency health proclamation. Mayor Frank Cownie amended the emergency proclamation to reduce the size of gatherings and prohibit sports and recreational activities on city property. All events on city property are now limited to 30 people. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Monday that the state will return $21 million in federal CARES Act funding. Reynolds wanted to use the money to modernize the state’s IT infrastructure. In October, State Auditor Rob Sand announced that his office determined the new computer system does not meet the requirements for spending under the CARES Act. The U.S. Treasury inspector general agreed. The spending has to relate to the public health emergency, and the new computer system doesn’t. FRANKLIN COUNTY, IA (IRN) – Authorities are investigating a shooting Monday night in Franklin County. The shooting occurred near I-35, north of Dows. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Schools nationally are seeing students perform worse in the classroom during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Iowa City Community School District saw 37% of its high school students have at least one F by the midterm period. In a normal year, around 20% of its high school students have at least one F by the midterm period. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Gonzaga and Baylor rank first and second respectively in the latest Associated Press men’s college basketball poll, even as both have been sidelined by recent coronavirus issues. The Iowa Hawkeyes remain in third place. Gonzaga has had five straight games cancelled or postponed due to COVID-19. The Hawkeyes and Gonzaga are scheduled to play in Sioux Falls South Dakota on Saturday.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Iowa this morning. UnityPoint Health in Des Moines has received its first shipments of the vaccine. More hospital systems in central Iowa are expected to receive the vaccine Monday as well. The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City said it received its first shipment of about 1,000 doses and will begin vaccinating its health care workers today. URBANDALE, IA (IRN) – A man has been charged with murder in connection with a weekend homicide in Urbandale. 35-year-old Dustin Sample is charged with first-degree murder in the death of an unnamed woman. Upon arrival at the scene, police found the woman suffering head trauma. She died at the scene. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Multiple errors caused by the National Democratic Committee, the Iowa Democratic Party, and the company that made the 2020 Iowa Caucus app are being blamed for the problems during the caucuses. A new report released Saturday concludes that the National Democratic Party holds most of the blame. DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – One of the nation’s leading pet food manufacturers plans to create more than 270 jobs in Dubuque. Simmons Pet Food, Inc. intends to buy the former Flexsteel Industries facility. The company plans to hire 271 employees within the next three years. The facility will operate 24/7 and starting wages will be approximately $20 an hour. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Fran McCaffery earned his 200th victory as Iowa’s men’s basketball coach. The Hawkeyes are the third ranked team in the nation, and defeated winless Northern Illinois 106-53 on Sunday. All 16 Hawkeyes played; two of them McCaffery’s sons, Connor and Patrick, who combined for 19 points, nine assists and eight rebounds.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Multiple errors caused by the National Democratic Committee, the Iowa Democratic Party, and the company that made the 2020 Iowa Caucus app are being blamed for the problems during the caucuses. A new report released Saturday by former Attorney General Bonnie Campbell and former U.S. Attorney Nick Klinefeldt said the National Democratic Party holds most of the blame. It did find that the Iowa Democratic Party failed to properly communicate with campaigns and the media. WASHINGTON DC (IRN) – President-elect Joe Biden has nominated Tom Vilsack to take back his old job at the Agriculture Department, saying his eight years of experience at the department under former President Barack Obama would ensure quicker help to rural and poor areas that are “reeling” from the pandemic and economic downturn. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Doctors say 70% of the population needs to get a COVID-19 vaccine in order for there to be herd immunity against the virus. Iowa law says employers can require employees to get the vaccine. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Spencer Petras threw for 211 yards and two touchdowns to Ihmir Smith-Marsette to lead No. 19 Iowa past No. 25 Wisconsin 28-7.