Category: State News

IOWA (IRN) – On Monday, the Iowa Department of Public Health reported 5 deaths and 204 new positive cases of COVID-19. That brings the statewide total to 19,688 positive cases and 538 deaths.

DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – A Davenport officer was shot in an ambush while patrolling an area where protests over police killings of black people were being held, and two other shooting deaths occurred in the city during the chaos. The Quad-City Times reports that the officer’s shooting happened around 3 a.m. Monday. The officer was one of three who were ambushed while patrolling. An officer returned fire but authorities didn’t say if anyone was hit by the return fire. The wounded officer is expected to recover. Police said two other people died from shootings as the protests occurred, but it was unclear if those shootings were related to the protests.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Three nights of protests in Des Moines turned violent again last night as Polk County declared a 9:00 pm curfew. Some protesters threw rocks and water bottles at police, and vandalized the Merle Hay Mall. Police deployed tear gas to disperse the crowds. Des Moines Register reporter Andrea Sahouri was arrested while reporting for failure to disperse. She was later released.

CORALVILLE, IA (IRN) – More than two dozen law enforcement vehicles responded to Coral Ridge Mall in Coralville Sunday night as protesters gathered. Several people were handcuffed following altercations with law enforcement. At least one business was vandalized in a nearby strip mall. A few officers were injured after protesters threw rocks and punched them. Police used flashbangs to push groups approaching law enforcement away.

MASON CITY, IA (IRN) – Dozens of people gathered in downtown Mason City Sunday night to protest the death of George Floyd. KIMT-TV reports the protests remained peaceful.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The total number of positive COVID-19 cases in Iowa neared 19,500 Sunday, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health. The site reports 349 additional positive cases of the novel coronavirus and six more deaths. A total of 533 Iowans have died.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Protesters and police clashed for a second straight night in downtown Des Moines on Saturday. The night began when protesters gathered outside the Des Moines police headquarters. From there, hundreds of protesters started marching into downtown. Some protesters began breaking windows at the Polk County Courthouse, until police deployed tear gas. Protesters then headed to the Iowa State Capitol. A long standoff ensued at the Capitol between protesters and law enforcement in riot gear. Law enforcement used tear gas and flash bangs to keep protesters from inching toward the Capitol. Law enforcement eventually dispersed protesters from the Capitol grounds around 11:40 p.m. by using tear gas. After leaving the Iowa State Capitol, a smaller group of protesters collected at the Court Avenue District, where another standoff with police occurred.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Thousands of people in Eastern Iowa held signs, listened to speeches, and walked together to show solidarity against racism and support positive change in policing. A demonstration was held in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids Saturday. The protests remained peaceful.

IOWA (IRN) – Another seven people with COVID-19 have died, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health. At 10 a.m. Saturday, the state was reporting 527 COVID-19-related deaths, an increase of seven deaths since the state’s tally at 10 a.m. Friday.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Protesters in downtown Des Moines clashed with officers after a planned rally over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Organizers of the event asked protesters to leave peacefully at the conclusion, but many chose not to. Protesters threw bottles at officers, and broke out windows on police vehicles, and damaged businesses. State Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad stood between police and protesters to attempt to diffuse the situation. Organizers condemned the violence, and police spokesperson Paul Parizek attributed the clash to a “small piece of a great group.”

IOWA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health reported 290 new positive COVID-19 cases and 20 deaths on Friday. That brings the statewide total to 18,792 positive cases and 520 deaths.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – One person is dead in a collision between a motorcycle and a semi-truck in Cedar Rapids last night. The incident occurred at the interchange of Highway 30 and I-380.

EVANSDALE, IA (IRN) – Authorities said Friday that they believe they’ve found the remains of a missing Arizona woman and her stepfather in Iowa inside the stepfather’s car after it was found buried in an undeveloped lot. The Waterloo Courier reports that authorities believe the remains found on a dead-end road in Evansdale, Iowa, are those of 28-year-old Elissa Landry and 45-year-old David Batten, of Chino Valley, Arizona.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health confirmed a new Tyson processing plan outbreak Thursday during Gov. Kim Reynolds’ COVID-19 news conference. A Tyson plant in Storm Lake reported 555 coronavirus cases among its 2,517 employees. The plant has closed for cleaning.

IOWA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health reported 290 new positive COVID-19 cases and 20 deaths on Friday. That brings the statewide total to 18,792 positive cases and 520 deaths.

WARSAW, MO (IRN) – The Missouri State Highway Patrol says three people from Iowa died in a crash in eastern Missouri. The victims of the crash Wednesdaywere all from Fort Dodge.

AMES, IA (IRN) – On Wednesday, authorities arrested an Iowa Department of Natural Resources employee after a report that he had sexually abused a minor. Court documents show that a mother of a minor reported to the Ames Police Department that Samuel Marcus McDeid, 34, of Ames, sexually assaulted her child.

IOWA (IRN) – Two of the Iowa’s most popular amusement parks will hold their opening days next week. Governor Kim Reynolds announced last week that amusement parks can re-open to visitors starting on June 1st. Adventureland Resort in Altoona will open to Season Pass Holders only on June 3rd and 4th. On Friday, June 5th, the park will welcome the general public, but only at 50% occupancy. Arnold’s Park Amusement Park in the Okoboji area will open to the general public beginning June 3rd.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa’s novel coronavirus outbreak hit a milestone today as the Iowa Department of Public Health reported 500 Iowans have died from the virus. As of 10 a.m., Iowa DPH reports 246 additional positive COVID-19 cases and 15 additional deaths. Bars statewide are permitted to reopen today after Gov. Kim Reynolds eased COVID-19 restrictions.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health confirmed a new Tyson processing plan outbreak Thursday during Gov. Kim Reynolds’ COVID-19 news conference. A Tyson plant in Storm Lake reported 555 coronavirus cases among its 2,517 employees.

OSKALOOSA, IA (IRN) – A long-term care facility in Oskaloosa said Wednesday that three resident deaths were related to the novel coronavirus. There are 63 COVID-19 cases at Crystal Heights Care Center.

AMES, IA (IRN) – Iowa State athletic director Jaime Pollard says that football home games will be played at no more than 50% capacity, pending a change in state and local health guidelines. That means no more than 30,000 fans. About 22,000 season tickets have been renewed, leaving about 8,000 seats to be filled. Single-game ticket sales are unlikely unless capacity is increased.