DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa Department of Public Health data shows a continued increase in positive coronavirus cases and hospitalizations in the state. IDPH reported 743 new positive COVID-19 cases and 6 additional deaths on Saturday. IDPH data shows a total of 34,499 Iowans have tested positive for the virus, while 748 have died. FORT DODGE, IA (IRN) – More than 100 inmates at the Fort Dodge Correctional Facility have now tested positive for COVID-19. Nine staff members have also tested positive. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The owners of five Des Moines car washes are offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a man accused in a string of burglaries. The car wash owners say the suspect uses a pry bar and ax to break in, causing thousands of dollars in damage. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The novel coronavirus has halted many of the usual events across the Hawkeye State. But, not all of Iowa’s traditional events have been nixed: Des Moines’ Butter Cow Festival is still a go. During what would have been the first weekend of the fair, attendees can enjoy live music from local bands, food vendors, and breweries on Aug. 14 and 15 at Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park.

WOODBURY COUNTY, IA (IRN) – The trial for Cristhian Bahena Rivera has been postponed until Jan. 25, 2021. Bahena Rivera has been charged for first-degree murder in connection with the death of University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts in 2018. Both the prosecution and the defense asked for the trial to be postponed because of COVID-19. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – The coronavirus is forcing budget cuts at the University of Iowa. The university said it’s due to a loss of funding from the legislature. University of Iowa President Bruce Harreld is cutting his salary in half, and salary freezes will be put in place for 4,200 employees and at least 32 positions are now under a hiring freeze. WAUKEE, IA (IRN) – The City of Waukee is asking all of its residents, businesses and other agencies to reduce their outdoor water use by 50%. The city said that in the midst of a hot and dry summer it is experiencing an increase in water usage by its residents and businesses, including an increase in water used for irrigation and outdoor watering. Waukee is one of the fastest-growing cities in the state. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – A British defense contractor plans to open a $139 million facility in Cedar Rapids, creating 650 new jobs. BAE Systems produces a variety of military technology, with nearly all of its business coming from defense contracts.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa Department of Public Health data shows positive coronavirus cases and hospitalizations are trending upward. As of Friday at 10 a.m., IDPH reported 744 new positive cases and three additional deaths. ALTOONA, IA (IRN) – A coalition of construction trades will offer a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for placing a noose at a work site in Altoona. Authorities were called to a building at the Facebook Data Center on June 19 after a supervisor found a noose hanging from a lockbox holding construction plans. IOWA (IRN) – A racial discrimination complaint has been filed against Iowa meanpacking plants. A group of worker advocacy organizations has filed a civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, saying corporate management is failing to protect minority workers from the coronavirus. Workers rights groups accuse Tyson Foods and JBS of putting profits before people. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa Workforce Development reports 10,698 unemployment claims were filed in Iowa between June 28 and July 4. The industries with the most claims were manufacturing, self-employed/independent contractors, health care and social assistance, accommodation and food services, and retail. NEW YORK, NY (IRN) – The Big Ten Conference confirmed Thursday that it will limit fall sports to conference-only schedules, effectively canceling the annual Cy-Hawk football game. The conference will limit sports schedules as a preventative measure during the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision comes one day after the Ivy League announced that it will not hold intercollegiate sports in the fall.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health reported a new single-day record for coronavirus testing in the state. IDPH reported 670 new positive cases and 7 additional deaths on Thursday. There have been 33,012 total positive COVID-19 cases and 739 deaths in Iowa. WEST DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A judge ordered probation for an Iowa businessman, saying he failed to show genuine remorse for assaulting a woman at his home last year. The judge rejected a request by David Greenspon for a deferred judgment in the assault, which occurred at Greenspon’s West Des Moines mansion last November. Greenspon is the owner of Competitive Edge, a Des Moines advertising supply company. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – International students face new regulations ahead of the fall semester. International students who only take classes online will either have to transfer to schools with in-person learning or leave the country. Colleges and Universities across the country oppose the regulations. The University of Iowa tweeted out a statement saying: “If International Programs have one purpose, it is to open the minds and hearts of our community to the reality that the world is a stronger and better place when we celebrate the humanity in every individual and in every nation.” MASON CITY, IA (IRN) – The face mask mandate for Mason City official buildings goes into effect this morning. Mayor Bill Schickel announced the mask requirement on July 1, which requires everyone who enters or works at a city building wear a mask. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – The first semi-professional soccer league is launching in Cedar Rapids. The Iowa Raptors FC is now the second United Soccer League team in Iowa, joining the Des Moines Menace. The season will begin with no fans in the stands, but will be streamed on Facebook.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health is reporting 414 more COVID-19 cases and seven deaths in the last 24 hours. As of 10:15 a.m. on July 8, the state’s data shows a total of 32,343 COVID-19 cases and 732 COVID-19 related deaths. BOONE COUNTY, IA (IRN) – The Boone County Sheriff’s Office says it found a homemade pipe bomb that was set up for a delayed explosion. The bomb was safely dismantled, but officials warn there could be others. An Iowa Department of Natural Resources employee who was checking on a project found the bomb in the Harrier Marsh Wildlife Management area southeast of Ogden. FORT DODGE, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Corrections reported Tuesday that a 71-year-old inmate who had been held at the Fort Dodge Correctional Facility died Monday due to complications related to COVID-19. A total of 61 inmates and five staff members have tested positive for COVID-19 at the facility. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Gov. Kim Reynolds is allocating $50 million in federal money to boost mental health services in the state, funding she says will meet increased needs during the pandemic. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Families for students who qualify for free and reduced-cost lunch programs in school will be receiving extra food benefits from the state in order to offset extra costs from coronavirus-related school shutdowns this spring. Children were considered eligible if they were enrolled in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in the last school year and were receiving free and reduced-price lunches as of March 16. Each child will receive approximately $308.