DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health reported 463 new coronavirus cases and 7 additional deaths Saturday. A total of 480,425 Iowans have been tested for COVID-19. IDPH reported 4,804 Iowans tested the previous day, with a positivity rate of 8.2%. One of 7 Iowans have been tested and one of 70 Iowans have tested positive. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie on Friday issued an amendment to his March 15 emergency health proclamation for the city of Des Moines to include a strong encouragement for mask use and new limits on gatherings on public property. Mayor Cownie issued the amendment on coronavirus mitigation due to new positive cases of the virus continuing at an alarming rate in Polk County and in the City of Des Moines. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A day after Gov. Kim Reynolds announced new guidelines for Iowa schools, the state’s largest school district is planning to ask for permission to push back its start date. The Des Moines Public Schools wants to start classes online, and then slowly move students back into the classroom as conditions allow. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Researchers for University of Iowa Health Care hope to enroll 250 healthy adults to test a new RNA vaccine made by Pfizer in the fight against COVID-19. UIHC is one of roughly 120 sites testing the vaccine. The research team is looking for men and women aged 18-85 with stable health and who work in essential jobs like food production or health care. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – The St. Louis Cardinals were to play in Milwaukee’s home opener last night but the game is off after two Cardinals’ players tested positive for COVID-19. The Cardinals are self-isolating. This brings up a concern if the Cardinals will be playing on August 13th, in Dyersville, at the Field of Dreams movie site against the Chicago White Sox. Crews are building the game field in the outfield of the movie site, with a temporary 8,000-seat stadium that, now, will be empty, if the game is still on for August 13th.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health reported nearly 700 positive coronavirus cases Friday. As of 10 a.m., IDPH reported 696 new positive cases and 11 additional deaths in the last 24 hours. DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – A man was shot in the leg Thursday night in Dubuque, according to KCRG-TV. Police are investigating. MADRID, IA (IRN) – Vandals poured red paint along nearly a mile of the popular High Trestle Trail north of Des Moines. The High Trestle Trail is one of the most popular bicycle trails in Iowa. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Gov. Kim Reynolds announced guidance Thursday for schools as districts finalize plans to return to class amid the coronavirus pandemic, maintaining that students need to be back in the classroom. The governor said if a county has a 14-day positivity rate of less than 15%, schools should continue in-person learning. If it’s 15 to 20%, with 10% absenteeism among students, districts can ask the state for permission to learn remotely. Schools can also ask the state for permission if the positivity rate is above 20%. The Iowa State Education Association opposes the new guidelines. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – An outside review of alleged racial inequality in the University of Iowa football program released on Tuesday calls on the UI Athletic Department to make changes to its “football culture” but doesn’t call for any changes of leadership. However it does include numerous allegations of inequities, including the targeting of Black athletes by coaches. The review was ordered by Athletics Director Gary Barta after a number of former Hawkeye football players spoke out on social media about racial disparities at the school.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Alcoholic Beverages Division and Department of Inspections and Appeals announced Thursday that the state of Iowa will take additional steps to enforce coronavirus mitigation efforts on social distancing and hygiene practices at bars, restaurants, and other food establishments. Gov. Kim Reynolds’ emergency public health disaster proclamation requires establishments to create at least 6 feet of physical distance between each group or individual dining or drinking alone, all patrons must have a seat at a table or bar, and an establishment must limit patrons from congregating closer than 6 feet. CLEAR LAKE, IA (IRN) – A 21-year-old Wisconsin woman died Tuesday afternoon after being struck by an unattended state-owned tractor near a beach at Clear Lake State Park. Mercedes Kohlhardt, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, was vacationing with her boyfriend. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Food Bank of Iowa is seeing a big jump in the number of people it serves. Representatives said they have seen a more than 35% jump in people served since the beginning of March. They said children and seniors account for much of that increase. The organization serves Iowans of all ages across 55 counties. During the Food Bank’s 2020 fiscal year, which just ended on June 30, it served more than 1.1 million people. DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – Dubuque’s Art on the River exhibit has been cancelled because of the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. City leaders are hoping this will give them the opportunity to reinvent the exhibit for next year. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – RAGBRAI organizers announced Wednesday that a new bike ride scheduled for the fall is canceled. The Great Iowa Fall Ride was planned for Oct. 2-4 and set to be hosted by the city of Iowa Falls.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Des Moines police announced Wednesday that a wanted suspect in the death of three Des Moines teens in January has been captured in Illinois. 17-year-old Leontreal A. Jones was taken into custody on first-degree robbery warrants. Police said Jones was located in Peoria, Illinois by the U.S. Marshals Service. Jones was wanted as a material witness in connection with the investigation of the deaths of 19-year-old Devonte Swanks, 16-year-old Malachi Swanks and 15-year-old Thayne Wright. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Coronavirus hospitalizations continue to climb according to data from the Iowa Department of Public Health. As of 10 a.m. Tuesday, IDPH reported 253 more positive cases and 7 additional deaths since 10 a.m. Monday. CASCADE, IA (IRN) – Two people were hurt when an explosion took place at a rural Dubuque County home on Tuesday, according to KCRG-TV. The home sustained significant damage due to the blaze, with officials estimating it to be in excess of $250,000. Two people inside the home were injured in the incident. They were taken to a hospital in Dubuque for what were described as non-life-threatening injuries. WEST DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Unions representing workers at 10 chicken processing plants in six states are suing the U.S. Department of Agriculture to challenge a policy that allows companies to increase production speeds that the unions say puts workers at risk. The lawsuit alleges that the waivers first allowed in 2018 violate the Administrative Procedure Act, endanger worker health and put them at risk during the coronavirus pandemic by making adequate distancing nearly impossible. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Nineteen customers and four employees are safe Tuesday after a fire destroyed a Des Moines Montana Mike’s Steakhouse. Firefighters from six agencies closed part of NE 14th Street to battle the blaze.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Coronavirus hospitalizations continue to climb according to data from the Iowa Department of Public Health. As of 10 a.m. Tuesday, IDPH reported 253 more positive cases and 7 additional deaths since 10 a.m. Monday. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – More than half of Iowa health care providers who responded to a survey from state auditor Rob Sand said privatized Medicaid management has not led to a better quality of health care or improved access. In 2016 Iowa contracted with private health care companies to operate the state’s $5 billion Medicaid program. Then Gov. Terry Branstad said the move would save money and provide a better quality of healthcare. Gov. Kim Reynolds has continued to support private Medicaid management. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – The Cedar Rapids School Board says Governor Kim Reynolds’ order that all schools in Iowa must return to at least 50% in-person classes this fall handcuffs local school leaders. In an OpEd written for The Gazette, the Board said Governor Reynolds’ proclamation on July 17 came as a surprise after weeks of working on Return to Learn plans at the directive of the state. Among the issues the Board raised is the stripping of local control over schools to a state-run mandate and process. IOWA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has issued a warning regarding reports of unsolicited packages of seed from China and other countries. They say don’t open the packages, or throw them in the trash, as they may contain the seeds of invasive plants. IOWA (IRN) – Casinos in Iowa are looking forward to an increase in revenue over the next few months. While casino revenue has been down because of COVID-19, with the return of Major League Baseball last week, the National Basketball Association set to resume Thursday, and the National Hockey League returning next week, sportsbooks are preparing for a boom in business.