Category: State News

IOWA (IRN) – An Iowa congressman made comments at a town hall Thursday inferring that Hurricane Katrina victims only asked for help instead of helping each other during the natural disaster. Congressman Steve King said, “here’s what FEMA tells me: ‘We go to a place like New Orleans and everybody’s looking around saying, ‘Who’s gonna help me? Who’s gonna help me? They’re just always gratified when they come and see how Iowans take care of each other.”

FORT DODGE, IA (IRN) – A woman was killed in a head-on crash in Webster County yesterday. Troopers say a car crossed the median and struck a truck head-on. The 85-year-old passenger in the car was pronounced dead at the scene. The 89-year-old driver of the car and the driver of the truck were hospitalized.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Senate has passed a bill that would prevent an organization from using a state loan fund for water quality and flood mitigation projects. Senate Republicans say the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation should not be able to buy up land that Iowans could potentially use for farming.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A bill that would create a mental health services program for children is moving on to the Iowa Senate. The house overwhelmingly passed it Thursday afternoon, 84 to 14. The bill would create a mental health system similar to the current one for adults. It would include a board to track and oversee children’s mental health data.

PITTSBURG, PA (IRN) – Iowa wrestlers are doing well after day one of the NCAA Wrestling Tournament in Pittsburg. Penn State is in first place, followed by Ohio State, with the Iowa Hawkeyes in third. The UNI Panthers are in 10th place, followed by the Iowa State Cyclones in 11th.

ANKENY, IA (IRN) – Residents of an Ankeny apartment complex were forced to escape a fire through their windows early this morning. The fire began in a stairwell and forced 35 residents to evacuate the building. The fire was put out within minutes and four residents were taken to the hospital as a precaution.

OSKALOOSA, IA (IRN) – A man accused of fatally stabbing a college basketball player to death in Oskaloosa wants to claim a legal shield from prosecution under Iowa’s “stand your ground” law. Luke Van Hemert, 24, of Oskaloosa, is charged with second-degree murder in connection with William Penn University student Marquis Todd’s death. Van Hemert says Todd was “looking for a fight.”

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A Carlisle woman will not serve prison time for stealing more than $40,000 from a metro soccer league. WHO-TV reports thirty-eight-year-old Brandi Preul pleaded guilty to second degree theft last week and received a five-year suspended sentence and three years of probation. She’ll also have to pay an undecided amount in restitution.

MASON CITY, IA (IRN) – A vehicle backed into and through part of Kwik Coin Laundry in Mason City on Wednesday and left a hole in the exterior wall and additional structural damage. KIMT-TV reports a man driving a Cadillac Escalade backed over the concrete barriers and through the wall into washers and dryers. No one was hurt.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Iowa City firefighters knocked down a house fire in roughly 20 minutes Tuesday night. KGAN-TV reports neighbors called 911 after seeing smoke coming from the second floor of the house. No one was home at the time of the fire, but fire crews rescued a cat and a baby chicken.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A Des Moines sports radio host was killed Tuesday after being struck by a semitrailer on Interstate Highway 80 near the east mixmaster in Des Moines. The Des Moines Register reports Gantry “Wolfgang” Miller, who co-hosted “The Drive with Wolfgang and Steen” for 1700 AM The Champ, was killed after being hit while on the shoulder of the road.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – An illegally parked car at the Des Moines International Airport led police to a sex trafficking ring. KCCI-TV reports nine people were arrested, including seven Des Moines residents. Police say the illegally parked car brought leads that eventually led them to the sex trafficking ring.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – A Cedar Rapids home and three parked cars were peppered with gunfire overnight, according to KGAN-TV. No one was injured in the apparent drive-by shooting.

SUMNER, IA (IRN) – A man from the Bremer County town of Colesburg has been arrested after he allegedly threatened violence to an elementary school. KWWL-TV reports he called Durant Elementary in Sumner and threatened the school and staff. 26-year-old Ean Weipert has been charged with Intimidation, Threat of Terrorism and Disorderly Conduct.

CEDAR FALLS, IA (IRN) – Democrat Eric Giddens has been elected to the Iowa Senate.
Giddens was declared the winner Tuesday night for the Senate District 30 seat that represents Cedar Falls, Hudson and parts of Waterloo. The win in a special election race keeps a Senate seat blue and represents a morale boost for Democrats who remain in the minority at the Statehouse. Numerous Democratic presidential candidates came to the area to campaign for Giddens.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Des Moines police were able to catch three children who were tossed out of the third floor of an apartment building during an early morning fire today. KCCI-TV reports fire crews were able to contain the fire to two apartments on the third floor and got everyone out safely.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA (IRN) – A Council Bluffs man has been charged with first-degree murder for allegedly sitting on his girlfriend’s two-year-old son, killing him. The Des Moines Register reports Larry Darnell Murphy, 31, had been living with the woman and her two sons.

CRESCO, IA (IRN) – A Cresco man is accused of shooting at law enforcement during a high-speed chase that exceeded 100 mph. KIMT-TV reports they were called to a domestic argument where Richard Ogle, 29, was holding a gun to his girlfriend’s head. Ogle fled, firing at officers. He’s in jail on multiple charges.

EASTERN NEBRASKA AND WESTERN IOWA (IRN) – Historic flooding continues to cause destruction in portions of southwest Iowa and Nebraska. KCCI-TV reports on Monday, the town of Hamburg was flooded as the Missouri River roared out of its banks — shutting down interstates, rural roads and nearby towns. A levee broke overnight, sending river water into Hamburg’s business district. Five-hundred residents, nearly half of the town’s population, have been evacuated.

IOWA (IRN) – The ISU, Iowa, and Drake’s women’s basketball teams have learned their opponents and playoff sites for the NCAA Tournament. The Iowa Hawkeyes, with arguably the best women’s basketball player in the country, have a decent shot at the Final Four. ESPN National Player of the Year Megan Gustafson leads the Hawks against the Mercer Bears at home Friday. Drake plays Missouri in Iowa City Friday, and the Cyclones play New Mexico State Saturday at Hilton Coliseum.

SNOW CANYON STATE PARK, UT (IRN) – A teenage boy has died after falling inside Snow Canyon State Park in southwestern Utah. KUTV in Salt Lake City reports the incident happened Sunday afternoon. The 13-year-old, who was visiting from Iowa, was free climbing with no ropes or equipment. Park officials say he was dead at the scene. The boy, whose name has not been released, was visiting his mother and two other children.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Des Moines police retrieved a body from a wooded area south of the Raccoon River early Sunday evening. The Des Moines Register reports the body is likely that of a homeless man, and no foul play is suspected.

ANAMOSA, IA (IRN) – The Iowa State Patrol thinks Iowa has a drug problem that’s only getting worse. KCRG-TV reports the problem might be our neighbors. Iowa State Patrol Trooper Bob Conrad says, “We see more drugs coming in from Colorado.” Marijuana isn’t the only issue on Iowa roads, though. Illicit pill use is on the rise, too.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Hundreds of people who come from all faiths gathered Sunday at First Christian Church in Des Moines to stand with Muslims after the massacre in New Zealand. KCCI-TV reports it wasn’t a normal Sunday service as Muslims, Christians, atheists and Jews sent a message that they stand with the Muslim community and against hate. The interfaith service came in response to the massacre during Friday prayers at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.

IOWA (IRN) – The Iowa and Iowa State basketball teams learned Sunday who they will square off against in the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament. The 6-seed Cyclones will play 11-seed Ohio State in Tulsa on Friday. The 10-seed Hawkeyes will play 7-seed Cincinnati Friday in Columbus, Ohio.