Category: State News

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health released the latest data on COVID-19 in the state Saturday. IDPH reported 279 new positive cases and 10 deaths. That brings the statewide total to 14,328 positive cases and 346 deaths.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (IRN) – The House passed a $3 trillion bill called the Heroes Act to cushion the economic blow from the coronavirus. It would include more stimulus payments for qualifying taxpayers and adds hazard-pay for frontline workers. The house voted 208-199. (D) Rep. Abby Finkenauer, (D) Cindy Axne and (R) Rep. Steve King voted against it. (D) Rep. Dave Loebsack voted in favor.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – University of Iowa researchers warn that the coronavirus would continue spreading through the state even before Gov. Kim Reynolds reopened restaurants and churches, a move they said would exacerbate the problem, documents released Friday show.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Des Moines police are looking for multiple suspects they say assaulted a black man and made racist comments toward him. The 22-year-old man is expected to recover.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health released the latest data on COVID-19 in the state Saturday. IDPH reported 279 new positive cases and 10 deaths. That brings the statewide total to 14,328 positive cases and 346 deaths.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – A team of University of Iowa researchers told the Governor more data is reinforcing their initial recommendation against reopening parts of Iowa. The White Paper says, “Evidence shows that COVID-19 will continue to spread in Iowa, likely at an increasing rate.” The new version of the White Paper from a team of public health experts at the University of Iowa is dated May 4th. The Governor’s Office released it Friday, May 15th.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa Public Radio said Friday that the state Board of Regents has pulled its funding amid decreased revenues as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The Des Moines Register reported the statewide radio network will lose $875,000 because of the regents’ decision. That represents about 10% of the revenue it expected to receive for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division reported a big increase in liquor sales in the state likely attributed to COVID-19. Liquor sales for the months of March and April were $31.9 million and $28.6 million respectively, state officials said. That was an increase of 26% and 2% over the same months in 2019.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health on Friday released the latest statistics on COVID-19 in Iowa. IDPH reported 18 deaths and 374 new positive cases. That brings the statewide total to 14,049 cases and 336 deaths.

NEWTON, IA (IRN) – NASCAR says it is cancelling its races this year at the Iowa Speedway because of the coronavirus. The Xfinity Series or Gander R-V and Outdoors Truck Series will not happen at the track in Newton this summer. The Iowa Speedway is still scheduled to host an Indycar doubleheader on July 17 and 18.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – At least 47 inmates and six staffers at the Polk County Jail have tested positive for COVID-19, more than double the number reported earlier in the week.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Des Moines City Council and the Des Moines Civil and Human Rights Commission had to end Thursday night’s Zoom meeting due to a cyber attack. KCCI-TV reports a spokesperson for the City’s office said there were “disruptive racist, sexist and pornographic messages” directed toward members of the commission.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (IRN) – Republican representatives are resisting Rep. Steve King’s efforts to be reassigned to congressional committees. In January 2019, King was removed from committees after remarks he made during a New York Times interview. He asked, “White nationalist, white supremacist, Western civilization — how did that language become offensive?” Ohio Republican Representative Steve Stivers says, “as long as I am a member of the Steering Committee, I will not allow that type of person or that type of ideology to influence the legislation passed by congress.”

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health on Thursday released new statistics on COVID-19 in the state. IDPH reported 386 new positive COVID-19 cases and 12 deaths. That brings the statewide total to 13,675 positive cases and 318 deaths.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Governor Kim Reynolds is opening up more Iowa businesses. Reynolds’ new order takes effect at 5 a.m. Friday, lifting closures of barbershops, tattoo parlors, massage therapists and salons statewide. It also extends partial reopenings of restaurants, libraries and fitness centers to the entire state. Bars, casinos and theaters must remain closed until May 27.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa lawmakers plan to resume the legislative session June 3 after pausing for more than two months because of the spread of the coronavirus.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – University of Iowa officials say the institution is facing $70 million in losses because of the pandemic, and that the financial crisis could lead to staffing cuts.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health released the latest information on COVID-19 in the state Wednesday. IDPH reported 377 new positive cases and 17 deaths. That brings the statewide total to 13,289 total positive cases and 306 deaths.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – On Wednesday morning Governor Kim Reynolds announced she is lifting more of the restrictions she put in place a month ago to stop the spread of COVID-19. Barbershops, salons and massage therapists will be allowed to re-open on Friday, May 15th. The governor is also allowing restaurants in all 99 counties to resume allowing limited dine-in service.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – An unreleased report from the White House puts Des Moines on the map as one of the top ten hotbeds for COVID-19 in the country. NBC News reportedly obtained undisclosed data the White House is using to track rates of infection of the coronavirus. The report issued May 7 shows COVID-19 cases increasing by 1,467 from the previous seven days in Des Moines. That is a 94.3% increase. That ranks Des Moines eighth out of ten cities nationwide in increased rate of cases.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – A man who owns a gym that is operating beyond the limits outlined in the governor’s public health emergency proclamation has been cited for allegedly violating that decree. Jason Bailey, 49, the owner of Custom Fitness, was issued a citation by Cedar Rapids Police for a department of health violation on Tuesday, May 12. The citation is a simple misdemeanor. Officers said they observed several people working out inside the gym on Tuesday, and that Bailey told them he was ignoring the proclamation from Gov. Kim Reynolds.

Des Moines, IA (IRN) – The Des Moines Arts Festival will not return in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On Tuesday the Des Moines Arts Festival Board announced it would no longer move forward with the festival scheduled for June 26th-28th. Organizers already say they plan to return on June 25th-27th, 2021.