Category: State News

PERRY – The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Perry Police Department have charged Amanda Jean Goff with one count of Human Trafficking in the First Degree. Goff was taken into custody without incident at the Sac County Jail where she had been held on related offenses. Human Trafficking in the First Degree is a class A felony. As detailed in the criminal complaint, it is alleged that in January 2025, Goff took a 14-year-old female to a Perry hotel for the express purpose of having the victim engage in commercial sexual activity with another person.

IOWA – Governor Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Education announced that four Iowa schools have been selected as the state’s inaugural Iowa Blue Ribbon Schools for 2025 during a ceremony at the Iowa State Capitol. Formerly the National Blue Ribbon Schools, the prestigious program is now a state-led recognition initiative, honoring some of the state’s top-performing schools. The inaugural 2025 Blue Ribbons Schools are: Albia Middle School; Bryant Elementary School, Dubuque ; George-Little Rock Elementary; and Prairie Hill Elementary School, College Community School District.

IOWA – More than 267,000 Iowans will be without SNAP benefits pending action from the U.S. Congress and Trump Administration during an ongoing government shutdown. The Des Moines Register repots November 1st will mark the beginning of funds running out. Iowan spent more than $45 million in benefits in May, the latest data available from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Existing benefits can be spent, but funds will not be replenished.

POLK COUNTY – A Des Moines woman was killed hitting a semi pulled over on the shoulder of Interstate 35 on Tuesday afternoon. The Iowa State Patrol reports a semi tractor operated by 23-year-old Cole Ladehoff of Ankeny was on the side of the rode when another car lost control heading northbound, and struck the semi. Nineteen-year-old Emilie VanWinkle was in the front seat of the Sable while wearing a seatbelt, and died from her injuries.

IOWA – U.S. Representative Randy Feenstra has announced his intention to run for governor. The Des Moines Register reports this comes after his May announcement of forming an exploratory committee, following the decision by Governor Kim Reynolds to end her time in office at the end of her term next year. Three other Republicans have announced their intentions to run for governor, which will be a contested primary next June.

JOHNSTON – The Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board unanimously reprimanded three Johnston School Board candidates for violating a law that prohibits campaign signs on corporate property. WHO-13 reports a citizen complaint was filed on Ocotber 13th that ACCO Unlimited Corporation was violating Iowa Code on behalf of candidates Alicia Penner, Patrick Green, and Connor Christensen. The signs were removed on Tuesday and a reprimand sent to the candidates and business owner.

IOWA – U.S. Representative Randy Feenstra has announced his intention to run for governor. The Des Moines Register reports this comes after his May announcement of forming an exploratory committee, following the decision by Governor Kim Reynolds to end her time in office at the end of her term next year. Three other Republicans have announced their intentions to run for governor, which will be a contested primary next June.

POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY – A Des Moines man and toddler were killed as they were standing near Interstate 880 in western Iowa. The Iowa State Patrol reports a vehicle traveling eastbound Tuesday evening attempted to take evasive action as another car was in the middle of the roadway after hitting a deer. Two pedestrians were standing outside of that vehicle and were struck, dying from their injuries. One has been identified as 27-year-old Til Baswa, and the other was a two-year old child.

AMES – Several members of the top-ranked in the nation Iowa State Cyclones cross country team were suspended ahead of the upcoming postseason. WHO-13 reports that a few members of the team were suspended for violating team rooms, but what those were and the athletes impacted were not immediately identified. The team next competes at the Big 12 championships in Lawrence, Kansas on Halloween.

IOWA – An invasive and destructive insect has been seen in Iowa. KCCI-TV reports the Iowa Department of Agriculture has confirmed, in conjunction with U.S. Department of Agriculture officials, that the spotted lanternfly was found in Des Moines County last month. Both departments say the colorful bug is also invasive and destructive. The investigation did not come up with an infestation, but the insect may have been tracked to a trucking shipment.

ROWLEY – A Buchanan County man is accused of attempted murder in relation to a crash in northeast Iowa. WHO-13 reports the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office arrested 70-year-old Raymond Leroy Gineau following a collision on Friday afternoon. A 911 caller told police that a vehicle struck a person before colliding with a garage in Rowley. The victim suffered non-life threatening injuries.

IOWA – Multiple rain chances return through Wednesday for many in the state, as close to two-thirds of Iowans are now in abnormally dry conditions. The National Weather Service predicts multiple chances for rain shows Tuesday and Wednesday. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor Report shows 64% of the state is now abnormally dry, with just under 5% total in drought.

AMES – The Ames Police Department has charged a Marshalltown man with murder in connection to the death of a child in 2024. KCCI-TV reports 24-year-old Tyler Lee Zeuthen was arrested this week and faces a count of first degree murder and child endangerment resulting in death. First responders were called to a home in Ames on November 4th of last year for a child not breathing. Police say the individual died from blunt force trauma.

DES MOINES – A federal grand jury in Des Moines returned an 11‑count indictment charging a Des Moines man with wire fraud. As alleged in the Indictment, Marin James Tirrell, 65, ran a scheme to defraud multiple individuals between February 2024 and January 2025. Tirrell’s scheme involved obtaining money from individuals that he claimed would be used to buy tickets to high-demand sports and concert events and resold at a profit. Instead, Tirrell used a majority of the funds for gambling and personal expenses, repaying loans, and paying other investors for earlier payments. In total, investors provided Tirrell several million dollars and the victim investors sustained a combined loss exceeding $1.5 million. Tirrell was on federal supervised release for a 2019 mail fraud conviction. The former radio host was released from his 41-month prison sentence in January 2023.

IOWA CITY – A group of voters is suing the State of Iowa over a law passed this previous legislative session that limits how supervisors are elected in the counties that contain the state’s regent universities. The Des Moines Register reports the group is asking courts to halt Senate File 75, which requires Johnson, Story, and Black Hawk Counties to elect supervisors by district, rather than the current at-large system used. The lawsuit accuses Iowa Republicans of preventing students from fully participating in county elections.