IOWA – Up to 17 beaches have been listed with swimming not recommended notices by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The Des Moines Register reports Backbone, Beeds Lake, Bobwhite, Brushy Creek, Emerson Bay, Lake Ahquabi, Lake Darling, Lake Manawa, Lake of Three Fires, McIntosh Woods, Nine Eagles, Pine Lake South, Pleasant Creek, Prairie Rose, and Union Grove all have vulnerable classifications, as does Lake Red Rock on the Des Moines River. WINTERSET – Two candidates have filed for a special election for a county auditor’s seat mired in turnover. WHO-13 reports Matthew Schwartz, the current “temporary” Madison County Auditor, runs against former Board of Supervisors Clerk Michelle Brant. Both are running for the spot after a petition was filed by citizens to hold a special election. This comes after the resignation of the previous Madison County Auditor Teri Kaczinski.AMES – The details for the contract extension of Iowa State Head Football Coach Matt Campbell have been finalized. ESPN reports Campbell will earn $5 million through 2032, with several incentives. It includes a $2 million buyout for other college programs, but there is no deterrent for NFL jobs. Campbell cut some of his pay for staff salaries and for revenue sharing for players.

IOWA – Air quality in the state will remain low again today following a burst of smoke from Canada that came with a cold front that has ushered in much more mild conditions. The Iowa DNR has issued an Air Quality alert that continues through tonight as hazy skies are expected to persist. The smoke is expected to remain over the area and affect air quality in the coming days until a significant weather system sweeps it out of the area. Wildfire smoke carries large amounts of particulates that could impact those with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teenagers, and outdoor workers. SIOUX CENTER – A 90-year-old Sioux Center resident was killed in a two vehicle crash in Lyon County on Thursday morning. The Iowa State Patrol reports a Chevorlet Tahoe operated by Stanley Kroese collided with Chevy Blazer attempting to take a left turn. Kroese died from his injuries. Four other people were injured in the collision. OSAGE – An Iowa-based manufacturer in Osage is closing. KCRG-TV reports Fox River Mills will end its time as a sock manufacturer on October 10th. The Iowa WARN unemployment system mentions 105 employees will be impacted.

IOWA – Governor Kim Reynolds has filed a complaint over a state employee allegedly bragging about working around state laws related to diversity, equality, and inclusion efforts at the University of Iowa. KCCI-TV reports Attorney General Brenna Bird will now investigate a video aired on Fox News. During this week’s Board of Regents meeting, the University of Iowa is looking into the matter. Iowa House Democrats claimed the video was edited and distorted to look worse than it was. WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley says he’s disappointed and offended that President Donald Trump was critical of his role as chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. WHO-13 reports that President Trump lashed out at Grassley over Iowa’s senior senator and his upholding of the Senate’s Blue Slip tradition. The obscure rule requires both senators from a state to approve of certain judicial nominees before they head to the floor for a full vote. IOWA – Flood warnings are in effect across a large portion of the state along rivers after a summer filled with rain across the state. According to the National Weather Service, dozens of Iowa communities have seen at least eight inches of rain in July, with Ames reporting over a foot. This comes after an above average June for many. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows less than one percent of the state is in a drought.

DES MOINES – Central Iowa Water Works has announced that commercial law watering can now resume, according to KCCI, as part of a phased return to the practice. A committee with the group voted to allow it again based on nitrate concentrations a low customer demand due to ongoing rainfall in the area. Residential bans related the first-of-its-kind move were lifted last week. IOWA – One year since the state was placed under one of the most restrictive abortion bans in the nation, showed a reduction of the number of in-state procedures, but that travel to other states increased. WHO-13 reports Iowa Department of Public Health number shows 378 abortions have been performed in Iowa in 2025, and 1792 were in 2024 — 1,200 of which happened before the July 2024 ban went into effect. There was a 182% percent increase in year-to-year traveling traffic out of state during that time. ROCK CREEK LAKE – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating a fish kill at Rock Creek Lake. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports a swimming advisory is now in place until Thursday, as DNR staff was notified on Monday of concerns and have since observed dead fish several miles upstream in the lake’s watershed. Water testing showed conditions were acceptable for fish life. The advisory has been placed out of an abundance of caution.

OTTUMWA – The Mayor of Ottumwa reports that at least 200 employees at a meat processing plant will be deported. KCCI-TV reports that the United Food & Commercial Workers Local 1149 confirms that up to 220 people at JBS were informed that visas have been revoked and employment terminated. Ottumwa Mayor Rick Johnson says JBS sent notices to employees from Haiti and Cuba. A Hormel plant in Algona is dismissing 12 employees for the same reason. WINTERSET – A special election for the Madison County Auditor could be held up by an objection from a single resident. WHO-13 reports a meeting today will be held by county leaders to vote on whether its valid or not. This comes after Auditor Teri Kaczinski resigned officially in early July. The Madison County Board of Supervisors appointed Matthew Schwarz to the role, before he was ordered to leave the office by the county attorney on July 16th. Assuming the election is held, candidates for the position have until August 1st to submit their candidacy for the August 26th voting day. INDIANAPOLIS – The man accused of stalking superstar basketball player Caitlin Clark has pled guilty. KCRG-TV reports 55-year-old Michael Lewis was arrested early this year for sending Clark explicit images and threats. Lewis faces 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to stalking and harassment. He is also banned from attending any Indiana Fever or Pacers games.