Category: State News

DES MOINES— In a special election that was held on Tuesday, Democrat Renee Hardman was elected to the Iowa State Senate. KCCI-TV reports that Hardman bested Republican Lucas Loftin by an overwhelming margin to win the seat representing parts of Des Moines’ suburbs. The seat became vacant after the death of Democrat State Senator Claire Celsi on October 6th. Hardman, who is the CEO of the nonprofit Lutheran Services of Iowa and a member of the West Des Moines City Council, is the first Black woman elected to the Senate. Hardman’s election denied Republicans’ bid to reclaim a supermajority, or two-thirds control of the Senate. Democrats had flipped a Republican seat in a special election in August, giving Democrats 17 seats to the Republicans’ 33 seats.

SIOUX CITY (KTIV) – A pet food company in Sioux City is recalling two of its products due to the possibility of Salmonella contamination. KTIV-TV reports that a recall notice posted on the FDA website stated that Consumers Supply Distributing of Sioux City is recalling their four-pound bags of Country Vet Biscuits- Original Meaty Flavor and Heartland Harvest Dog Biscuits – Meaty Flavor with Chicken. According to the notice, the products have expiration dates of September 6th, 2026, and were sold in stores in Iowa, Nebraska, and five other states. There have been no reported illnesses related to the issue that was discovered by FDA sampling, and customers that bought affected bags can return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

TAMPA, FLORIDA—The Iowa Hawkeyes closed out 2025 by earning their first win over a ranked opponent since 2021. Quarterback Mark Gronowski totaled three total touchdowns in leading the #23 ranked Hawkeyes past #14 ranked Vanderbilt in a 34-27 victory in the ReliaQuest Bowl on New Year’s Eve. The win gave head coach Kirk Ferentz his 11th career bowl win, giving him the most bowl wins in Big Ten History. Iowa finishes the season with a 9-4 overall record, marking the 11th time Iowa has won at least nine games since Ferentz took over the program.

MARSHALLTOWN— Marshalltown authorities arrested a suspect in connection to a report of shots fired in the Marshalltown High School parking lot earlier this month. KCCI-TV reports that authorities arrested 18-year-old Jace Antonio Vargas of Marshalltown on Monday, following the incident on December 18th. Marshalltown police had responded to a report of a person firing shots at people in the high school parking lot at around 4:45 pm, when school was not in session. According to court records, Vargas allegedly tried to rob the victims of drugs, before firing shots at the victims when they tried to drive away. Vargas is facing several felony charges, including attempted murder, first-degree robbery, carrying a weapon on school grounds and going armed with intent. He also faces multiple misdemeanor charges.

DUBUQUE— A former Iowa High School football coach is scheduled to appear in court early next week for a plea and sentencing hearing. According to KCRG-TV, 40-year-old former Dubuque Senior High School football coach Darrell Moore is expected to enter into a guilty plea on January 5th, after he was accused of stealing over $47,000 in funds from the Dubuque Independent Football League. Court records indicate that the funds were deposited into Moore’s FanDuel account, and were also used to pay for his Roku account, purchases at grocery stores, gas stations, and restaurants. Court records also alleged that Moore used the funds at golf courses and to make hotel reservations, and other online purchases. As part of the plea deal for a first-degree theft charge, the court is planning deferred judgement after 24 months of informal probation, along with $15,000 in restitution.

SIOUX CITY— An 18-year-old from Council Bluffs is facing arson charges after firefighters in Sioux City were called to a fire at a fast-food restaurant. KTIV reports that first responders were called to the Wendy’s on Gordon Drive in Sioux City on Tuesday for the report of a fire. Sioux City Police say the call came in around 9 am, and that customers and employees were evacuated from the building. Sioux City Police identified the suspect as 18-year-old Malachi Neylon, who was located at a separate business a short distance from the Wendy’s. Neylon faces one count of first-degree arson and one count of fourth-degree criminal mischief. Under Iowa law, a first-degree arson charge carries a possible sentence of 25 years in prison.

DES MOINES— Governor Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced Monday that Iowa has been awarded funding through the Rural Health Transformation Program. The program is a federal initiative managed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Iowa’s proposal, Healthy Hometowns, will receive $209 million for the first year of implementation. The program is Iowa’s plan to strengthen health care in rural communities, by making care more accessible, connected, and patient focused.

DES MOINES— Several cases of avian flu in Central Iowa have been confirmed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. KCCI-TV reports dozens of dead birds were discovered at Maffitt Reservoir, south of Highway 5, while there have been more reports from Saylorville and Copper Creek. According to the Iowa DNR, Maffitt Reservoir has been closed to allow workers to remove the birds. The Iowa DNR adds that the birds pose no threat to Iowa’s water quality.

MADISON COUNTY— Former Madison County Treasurer Amanda DeVos had a third felony charge added to the case against her, bringing the total number of criminal charges to six. WHO-TV reports that the 38-year-old former county treasurer was arrested in January for allegedly altering government records using her access as treasure to make it appear she had paid her vehicle registration plates in October of 2024 when she had not. DeVos was initially charged with a Class D felony for felonious misconduct and three aggravated misdemeanors for tampering with records, fraudulent practices in the third degree, and third-degree theft. Last week, an amended filing showed additional felony charges of fraudulent practices in the second degree and felonious misconduct related to her personal property taxes in May of 2024.

VENTURA – A Ventura firefighter was injured while directing traffic at the scene of another crash in Cerro Gordo County. The Iowa State Patrol reports 53-year-old Charles Shropshire was transported to a nearby hospital by Clear Lake’s Fire and Rescue Team. The Ventura firefighter was directing traffic when a Ford Escape driven by 66-year-old Kevin Berry of Britt collied with the first responder after entering the emergency scene.

IOWA – Funeral services have been set for two Iowa National Guard soldiers killed on duty in Syria earlier this month. KCCI-TV reports the life of Staff Sgt. Nate Howard will be remembered on Saturday at Marshalltown High School, while Staff Sgt. Edgar Torres-Tovar will be honored by a visitation on Sunday in Des Moines, before a funeral on Monday. Both will be recognized with military honors.

MONONA COUNTY – Fog was likely a factor in a crash that killed a woman on Christmas Day. WHO-13 reports the Iowa State Patrol and several emergency agencies in Monona and Crawford Counties responded to a two-vehicle crash on a rural road near Mapleton. A Ford Escape operated by 75-year-old Rosemary Barber was attempting to turn around before it was struck by a GMC Sierra. Visibility was limited by fog at the time, according to the report. Barber died from her injuries.

WASHINGTON D.C. – The bodies of two Iowa soldiers killed overseas earlier this month were returned to Iowa this week. KCCI-TV reports the Iowa National Guard has indicated an airplane carrying Sgt. Edgar Torres-Tovar and Sgt. Nate Howard arrived at Des Moines International Airport with an honorable transfer on Wednesday. Both men were killed in an ambush in Syria on December 13th.

APPANOOSE COUNTY – An eight-year-old child who fell through the ice at a pond in Appanoose County has died. WHO-13 reports several emergency crews responded to a possible drowning on Monday near Moravia. An eight-year-old had been fishing, but when parents when to find him, he was missing. The Appanoose County Sheriff’s Office attempted life saving efforts, but reported the child did not survive.

IOWA – After nearly no reports of a White Christmas for most Iowans on a near-record breaking day of warmth, cooler days may be ahead. According to the National Weather Service, it was rare in a year where most of the state has already received more than a foot of snow to not have that frozen precipitation on the ground for Christmas Day. Temperatures will drop to near normal by Sunday after warmer days continue through Saturday.

DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds appointed two new Iowa Board of Regents members. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports former media executive Steve Lacy and former state lawmaker Peter Cownie will serve on the group overseeing Iowa’s three public universities. Lacy served as the CFO and CEO of Meredith in Des Moines, while Cownie served as a Republican member of the Iowa House of Representatives in West Des Moines.