Category: State News

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health reported one additional death and 102 new COVID-19 cases in Iowa Tuesday. That brings the statewide total to 1,048 positive cases and 26 deaths.

COLUMBUS JUNCTION, IA (IRN) – The Tyson pork plant in Columbus Junction is suspending operations after more than two dozen employees tested positive for COVID-19. Officials say this is in effort to “minimize the impact on our overall production.” The livestock supply that was originally scheduled for delivery to that plant in Columbus Junction is now being diverted elsewhere.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Law enforcement across the state will get involved when Iowans refuse to follow Gov. Kim Reynolds’ rules on business closures and social gathering limits. Citations come with a fine up to $250. Many law enforcement agencies say they will give warnings before issuing citations.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – An antiviral drug that some doctors believe to be the most promising therapeutic treatment available for patients suffering from the illness caused by the novel coronavirus is being tested at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics. Clinical trials have begun using Remdesivir as a treatment for COVID-19.

IOWA (IRN) – Dr. Anthony Fauci on Monday praised Iowa for its response to the coronavirus pandemic and said the state’s measures to slow the spread of the virus are “compatible with what everyone else is doing.” Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said that even though Iowa does not have an official stay-at-home order, the measures in place are “functionally equivalent” to one.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health announced 46 new positive cases of COVID-19 in Iowa, bringing the state’s total to 946. Linn County remains the county with the highest number of cases, now at 176. Seventy-one cases are in long-term care facilities. A total of 284 people are known to have recovered. There have been three additional deaths which included an older adult (age 61-80) in Linn County and two elderly people (older than 81) in Tama County. That brings the death toll in Iowa to 25.

IOWA (IRN) – Gov. Kim Reynolds has ordered more businesses closed through April 30 to fight the spread of the novel coronavirus, including malls, bowling alleys, zoos, campgrounds, playgrounds and libraries, among others.

MIDDLE AMANA, IA (IRN) – Whirlpool’s Middle Amana plant is open for the first time in almost two weeks after multiple COVID-19 cases were confirmed last month, according to KGAN-TV. The Iowa County facility reopened with third-shift workers on Sunday night, the first time workers there had gone back since an initial confirmed case was reported at the facility on March 24. The facility was deep-cleaned.

MITCHELLVILLE, IA (IRN) – A Des Moines man is dead after police say he led officers on a high-speed chase that ended in a multi-vehicle crash. The Iowa State Patrol says an officer spotted the motorcyclist driving over 100 mph on Interstate 80 near Altoona on Saturday. The motorcycle slammed into the back of a car, which then rear-ended a third vehicle. The motorcyclist, later identified as 21-year-old Aaron Bjork, died at the scene.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – One person was injured after losing control of a motorcycle Sunday in Linn County. KCRG-TV reports a 51-year-old resident of Marion lost control of her motorcycle on the loose sand on the edge of the roadway. She put her motorcycle on its side, sliding into a ditch. She wasn’t wearing a helmet.

ATLANTIC, IA (IRN) – Two men were arguing over an excessive amount of toilet paper purchased on Friday in Atlantic. Police were called to the Dollar General when one of the men reportedly showed a gun. Authorities said no one was hurt and police plan to review in-store video. Charges are pending.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health reported three deaths and 87 additional positive cases of Iowans with COVID-19. That brings the state total to 786 positive cases and 14 deaths.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Federal Emergency Management Agency informed Gov. Kim Reynolds on Saturday that Iowa will be receiving more than $44 million to reimburse expenses related to COVID-19.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Supreme Court has issued an order suspending grand jury hearings and criminal jury trials until mid-July in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. Chief Justice Susan Christensen issued the order Thursday, saying trials and hearings already in progress will continue, but those that have not begun and are scheduled to begin over the coming weeks have been postponed.

AMES, IA (IRN) – As hospitals continue to be in need of more personal protective equipment, some Iowa State University students are back on campus to manufacture PPE for health care workers. A rotation pairs eight students with 30 3D printers to make face shields.

DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Public Health has been notified of 87 additional positive cases of Iowans with COVID-19, for a total of 786 positive cases. Three additional deaths were reported; an older adult in Linn County, a middle-aged adult from Henry County, and an older adult in Polk County for a total of 14 Iowa deaths.

JOHNSTON, IA (IRN) – Gov. Kim Reynolds remains strong in her decision to not order a shelter-in-place. White House advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci said he didn’t understand why every state hadn’t issued a shelter-in-place, in which Reynolds said he might not have all the information about what Iowa has done.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A woman died after a shooting shortly before 4 p.m. Friday in Des Moines. KCCI-TV reports a mother and her 17-year-old daughter were driving when the 33-year-old mother was shot and killed. The daughter didn’t have any injuries.

WEST BRANCH, IA (IRN) – One woman’s family is not letting COVID-19 stop them from celebrating her completing chemotherapy. Dana Gafeller’s family couldn’t be there to ring the traditional bell for her last treatment session for her breast cancer. Since they couldn’t go in with her, they went to her house in West Branch. Family and friends made banners to hang outside. When she got home, they were in their cars honking and waving. Gafeller said, “I didn’t think I could get more emotional than when I left today, but this definitely tops that. WOOOO I’m glad it’s done.” Gafeller has been doing chemotherapy for 12 weeks.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A doctor in Des Moines has started an online petition to push Governor Reynolds to issue a stay-at-home order, according to KCCI-TV. Doctor Austin Baeth is an internal medicine physician at UnityPoint. Baeth tells KCCI a stay-at-home order in Iowa would provide more clarity. He says piecemealing rounds of business closures is not effective.

DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Public Health has been notified of 85 additional positive cases of Iowans with COVID-19, for a total of 699 positive cases. Two additional deaths were reported; 2 older adults in Linn County for a total of 11 Iowa deaths.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – On Thursday, Gov. Kim Reynolds extended the closure of schools until April 30 and commended Iowa school districts for shifting to virtual learning. Many rural districts say they don’t have the resources to do it. Access to devices and connectivity are major drawbacks.

IOWA (IRN) – Menards stores are limiting who can come into the stores during the pandemic. According to their website, children under 16 and pets are not allowed inside. The company also says anyone who looks under the age of 16 will be asked to show identification. No reason is given for the restriction. There are 20 Menards in Iowa.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Wednesday night is “Balcony Night” at Summit House, a senior living community in Des Moines. Coronavirus rules call for people to remain 6 feet apart, so instead of gathering in each other’s apartments or various spots around the building, the residents have been standing on their balconies on Wednesdays and chit-chatting. The Des Moines Register reports that on Wednesday night, 17-year-old Lily Ungs, a ballet dancer and granddaughter of one of the couples living in the facility, performed a ballet routine in the parking lot for residents to enjoy.