Category: State News

DES MOINES – The Iowa Senate unanimously approved new felony penalties for animal torture. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports House File 2348 enhances penalties against people who intentionally, willfully, or maliciously causes pain or death to a companion animal. Lawmakers linked that behavior to violence against humans. Violations are now Class D Felonies.

CEDAR RAPIDS – The Iowa National Guard announced another group of soldiers is returning to the state this week. WHO-13 reports just over 100 active service members are returning to Cedar Rapids this afternoon. The soldiers were deployed to support operations in Syria and Iraq. Service members have been returning in phases over the past several months, including just over 1,000 already this year.

DES MOINES – A man serving life in prison for a kidnapping and murder of a 10-year-old girl faces new charges against another minor 20 years before Breasia Terrell’s disappearance. KCCI-TV reports Henry Dinkins faces a new charge of second-degree sexual abuse. He’s accused of kidnapping a five-year-old girl in Clinton in 2003. The girl was found safe in Grand Mound hours later. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation says that victim came forward with new details in 2023. Dinkins was charged with the death of a missing Iowa girl in 2021.

ALGONA – An Emmetsburg woman died in a collision in Kossuth County on Monday morning. The Iowa State Patrol reports a Peterbilt semi tractor failed to stop at an intersection on a rural road and crashed into a Chevy Equinox. The driver of the smaller vehicle as identified as 47-year-old Carolee Wise, who died in the collision. Two others were injured.

DES MOINES – State Auditor Rob Sand released two reports related to the Des Moines Public Schools following the arrest of former superintendent Ian Roberts. KCCI-TV reports the state auditor’s office found a conflict of interest and questionable spending, tied to Lively Paradox, a company that had a district contract. A second report aimed to find out how Roberts earned a superintendent’s license, but Sand claims the Iowa Department of Education did not provide necessary records to complete the investigation.

DES MOINES – A federal appeals court rejected an activist group’s claim about the state’s ag gag law and that it violates free speech. The Des Moines Register reports the Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals disagrees with the Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement. They argue that resident should be allowd to record protests on privately owned property typically open to the public. The court battle is in response to videos recorded on private farm properties.

IOWA CITY – Former University of Iowa women’s basketball superstar Caitlin Clark will be a published author by this fall. WHO-13 reports the WBNA player is releasing “EXTRAordinary! A Little EXTRA to Reach BIG Dreams” on November 3rd. Penguin Random House made the announcement on Tuesday.

DES MOINES – The Iowa Legislature has sent a bill that limits which foods Iowans can buy with SNAP and bans certain dyes from school lunches. The Des Moines Register reports that House File 2676 has been sent to Governor Kim Reynolds for a signature. She proposed the measure in January to align with the Make America Healthy Again agenda of U.S. Health and Human Services Director Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. The measure also allows for over-the-counter access to ivermectin.

CEDAR RAPIDS – A Linn County judge found a man not guilty by reason of insanity in relation to the killing of his five-year-old son. KCRG-TV reports Matthew Schleier was charged with first degree murder for the death of his son Jack in 2024. He will be admitted to Cherokee Mental Health Institute. Schleier was accused by prosecutors of plotting to kill his children, while the defense argued he was suffering from psychosis when he strangled his son.

AMES – An event featuring Vice President JD Vance originally scheduled in Ames on Thursday has been postponed to the fall. KCCI-TV reports a Turning Point USA event has been postponed due to congressional votes in Washington D.C., and that doing so again this spring would be difficult due to upcoming finals for students.

WORTH COUNTY – The Iowa Supreme Court ruled in favor of an Iowa county aiming to limit wind turbine development. The Des Moines Register reports Worthwhile Wind and Invenergy spent several years and $2.8 million preparing for a $300 million wind project in Worth County. After new supervisors were elected to that board in 2021, a temporary moratorium and eventually comprehensive ordinance were both approved imposing restrictions on height, setbacks, and more as it related to turbines. Invenergy sued, accusing the county of acting in bad faith, but the Iowa Supreme Court ruled in favor of the county.

DES MOINES – Iowa lawmakers remain in overtime in the 2026 session, trying to come up with a compromise for property taxes. Governor Kim Reynolds highlighted reduction of property taxes in her condition of the state address in January, and the Iowa House and Senate have since passed several versions of the legislation with large differences that remain unsolved. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports the session was scheduled to end last week as the per diem expenses for lawmakers are budgeted for 100 days of activity in election years.

DES MOINES – Twelve Drake Relays records, including one world leading mark, one top U.S. mark and four Iowa all-time high school bests highlighted the final day of action at the 116th running of America’s Athletic Classic. In near-perfect weather, the action ranged from the shot put ring to middle distances on the Blue Oval to the pole vault runway. Two-time World Indoor Championships medalist Roger Steen defended his title in the WACT men’s invitational shot put at 71-11 1/2, improving his No. 2 world ranking .

WELDON – An EF-1 tornado was confirmed near the town of Weldon on Thursday night, according to the National Weather Service. Storm cleanup followed on Friday, according to KCCI-TV. Several damaged homes and downed trees were reported in the community. There were four additional tornadoes confirmed in western Iowa. An active pattern in April continues on Monday, with more severe weather possible.

DES MOINES – Lawmakers have approved a bill that increases the speed limit on two-lane highways to 60 miles per hour. The Des Moines Register reports the current 55 MPH number was established in 1973 as a response to an international oil embargo. A national study shows an increase of five miles per hour on speed limits typically leads to an 8.5% increase in fatality rates on highways and interstates. It will cost nearly $825,000 to implement the changes.

DES MOINES, Iowa – Two world-leading times during the evening session highlighted the action Friday in the 116th running of the Drake Relays in sunny, breezy weather at Drake Stadium. Eight records were set in all, pushing the two-day total to 12 in this latest edition of America’s Athletic Classic. Gracie Hyde in the women’s steeplechase and Oklahoma State in the women’s 4×800 set the fastest pace among the record breakers, while South Dakota pole vaulters soared to the greatest heights. Today marks the finals of the event.