Category: State News

POLK COUNTY – A Des Moines woman was killed hitting a semi pulled over on the shoulder of Interstate 35 on Tuesday afternoon. The Iowa State Patrol reports a semi tractor operated by 23-year-old Cole Ladehoff of Ankeny was on the side of the rode when another car lost control heading northbound, and struck the semi. Nineteen-year-old Emilie VanWinkle was in the front seat of the Sable while wearing a seatbelt, and died from her injuries.

IOWA – U.S. Representative Randy Feenstra has announced his intention to run for governor. The Des Moines Register reports this comes after his May announcement of forming an exploratory committee, following the decision by Governor Kim Reynolds to end her time in office at the end of her term next year. Three other Republicans have announced their intentions to run for governor, which will be a contested primary next June.

JOHNSTON – The Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board unanimously reprimanded three Johnston School Board candidates for violating a law that prohibits campaign signs on corporate property. WHO-13 reports a citizen complaint was filed on Ocotber 13th that ACCO Unlimited Corporation was violating Iowa Code on behalf of candidates Alicia Penner, Patrick Green, and Connor Christensen. The signs were removed on Tuesday and a reprimand sent to the candidates and business owner.

IOWA – U.S. Representative Randy Feenstra has announced his intention to run for governor. The Des Moines Register reports this comes after his May announcement of forming an exploratory committee, following the decision by Governor Kim Reynolds to end her time in office at the end of her term next year. Three other Republicans have announced their intentions to run for governor, which will be a contested primary next June.

POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY – A Des Moines man and toddler were killed as they were standing near Interstate 880 in western Iowa. The Iowa State Patrol reports a vehicle traveling eastbound Tuesday evening attempted to take evasive action as another car was in the middle of the roadway after hitting a deer. Two pedestrians were standing outside of that vehicle and were struck, dying from their injuries. One has been identified as 27-year-old Til Baswa, and the other was a two-year old child.

AMES – Several members of the top-ranked in the nation Iowa State Cyclones cross country team were suspended ahead of the upcoming postseason. WHO-13 reports that a few members of the team were suspended for violating team rooms, but what those were and the athletes impacted were not immediately identified. The team next competes at the Big 12 championships in Lawrence, Kansas on Halloween.

IOWA – An invasive and destructive insect has been seen in Iowa. KCCI-TV reports the Iowa Department of Agriculture has confirmed, in conjunction with U.S. Department of Agriculture officials, that the spotted lanternfly was found in Des Moines County last month. Both departments say the colorful bug is also invasive and destructive. The investigation did not come up with an infestation, but the insect may have been tracked to a trucking shipment.

ROWLEY – A Buchanan County man is accused of attempted murder in relation to a crash in northeast Iowa. WHO-13 reports the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office arrested 70-year-old Raymond Leroy Gineau following a collision on Friday afternoon. A 911 caller told police that a vehicle struck a person before colliding with a garage in Rowley. The victim suffered non-life threatening injuries.

IOWA – Multiple rain chances return through Wednesday for many in the state, as close to two-thirds of Iowans are now in abnormally dry conditions. The National Weather Service predicts multiple chances for rain shows Tuesday and Wednesday. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor Report shows 64% of the state is now abnormally dry, with just under 5% total in drought.

AMES – The Ames Police Department has charged a Marshalltown man with murder in connection to the death of a child in 2024. KCCI-TV reports 24-year-old Tyler Lee Zeuthen was arrested this week and faces a count of first degree murder and child endangerment resulting in death. First responders were called to a home in Ames on November 4th of last year for a child not breathing. Police say the individual died from blunt force trauma.

DES MOINES – A federal grand jury in Des Moines returned an 11‑count indictment charging a Des Moines man with wire fraud. As alleged in the Indictment, Marin James Tirrell, 65, ran a scheme to defraud multiple individuals between February 2024 and January 2025. Tirrell’s scheme involved obtaining money from individuals that he claimed would be used to buy tickets to high-demand sports and concert events and resold at a profit. Instead, Tirrell used a majority of the funds for gambling and personal expenses, repaying loans, and paying other investors for earlier payments. In total, investors provided Tirrell several million dollars and the victim investors sustained a combined loss exceeding $1.5 million. Tirrell was on federal supervised release for a 2019 mail fraud conviction. The former radio host was released from his 41-month prison sentence in January 2023.

IOWA CITY – A group of voters is suing the State of Iowa over a law passed this previous legislative session that limits how supervisors are elected in the counties that contain the state’s regent universities. The Des Moines Register reports the group is asking courts to halt Senate File 75, which requires Johnson, Story, and Black Hawk Counties to elect supervisors by district, rather than the current at-large system used. The lawsuit accuses Iowa Republicans of preventing students from fully participating in county elections.

DES MOINES – The federal government shutdown has different benefits at crosshairs for vulnerable populations across the country and in Iowa. KCCI-TV reports subsidies for the Affordable Care Act are at the center of the dispute, which if they expire, could impact 150,000 Iowans. On Thursday, Governor Kim Reynolds called on an end to the shutdown, blaming Democrats, as SNAP benefits are in jeopardy in November. Approximately 131,000 households in Iowa are eligible for SNAP, which cost $45 million per month. Republicans have thus far rejected calls to negotiate the health care subsidies.

DES MOINES – A Des Moines high school student was detained during an immigration check-in and ultimately deported. The Des Moines Register reports the 18-year-old attended a September 30th appointment with his guardian and immigrants rights advocates. He was ultimately detained and sent to Hardin County Jail, before being sent to Louisiana and then to Central America, all in about two weeks. Federal agents have increased their arrest volume by nearly 200%, according to the report, from the previous year to the current rate.

IOWA – The Iowa Department of Transportation has launched a campaign aimed at further educating young drivers about the dangers of certain behaviors behind the wheel. WHO-13 reports the Iowa DOT has created the “Alive at 25” program, a voluntary four-hour course that compliments the standard driver education program. Young drivers who have a second violation on an intermediate license can participate in the program to lift a possible suspension.