Category: State News

IOWA – Several Iowa Communities are continuing to deal with flooding again after several rounds of heavy rainfall over the weekend. According to the National Weather Service, many eastern Iowa rain gauges topped five inches of precipitation by Sunday afternoon for the previous 48-inches of rain, prompting several flood warnings in eastern Iowa counties. This comes after multiple warnings were issued in central Iowa this past week. Cooler conditions are in the forecast, with light rain possible today.

DES MOINES – U.S. Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana was in Iowa to campaign for Republicans, and believes the current high prices and inflation is being driven by the ongoing conflict in Iran. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports that Kennedy made the remarks speaking to the Iowa Faith and Free Coalition during a fundraiser. Kennedy believes the end of the conflict will come in the next six months, and that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is to blame for higher fuel prices.

DES MOINES – Des Moines police were searching on Sunday for an endangered teenager they believe was at risk for exploitation. WHO-13 reports 17-year-old Luz Haidee left her home over the weekend, believed to be with a man she met on TikTok. The department posted details as part of their search, and reminded parents to check and see who their children are communicating with on social media.

BAYARD – A Bayard man was killed in a two vehicle crash early Friday morning. The Iowa State Patrol reports 22-year-old Brendan Bork was traveling on a rural road and failed to yield at a stop sign and collided with a semi truck, which struck Bork’s jeep broadside. The Bayard resident died from his injuries and the semi driver was treated for minor injuries.

DES MOINES – Heavy rainfall in several areas across the state has led to flooding in several communities. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources encourages people to put safety first and avoid flood waters until after they recede. The Iowa DNR collaborates with local communities and partner agencies to lead environmental recovery and clean-up efforts. This includes assessing infrastructure damage, securing immediate emergency water supplies, and developing long-term repair and rebuilding plans.

OSKALOOSA – An Iowa school district cancelled homecoming festivities on Friday after reports of inappropriate student conduct. WHO-13 reports Oskaloosa took a forfeit in their football game and cancelled several activities, as district administration estimated close to 50 students may have been involved in potential harassment of a district staff member.

PERRY – A Perry woman was arrested after an infant was found dead in a trash can earlier this week. KCCI-TV reports 20-year-old Stephanie Ubaldo has been charged with first degree murder. The Perry Police Department accuses Ubaldo of delivering a premature baby earlier in the day at her employer and caused injuries to stop the child from crying. She’s accused of killing the infant and placing it in a trash bag before attempting to return to work, but police were notified after Ubaldo was found bleeding.

IOWA – The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services have confirmed 38 cases of measles in Iowa in its latest update. WHO-13 reports that is as of Thursday, and prior to August 16th, only one case had been identified in the state. Of the 38 confirmed reports, 36 of those individuals were unvaccinated for the disease, and 25 of those were the age of students.

OTTUMWA – A 19-year-old Ottumwa man faces a charge of attempted murder following a shooting on Wednesday night at a trailer park. KYOU reports Donovan Wilson was charged with burglary and attempted murder after police say he shot another 19-year-old. That individual was flown to an Iowa City hospital in critical condition after police were dispatched for a call of a possible shooting.

IOWA – A cold front will bring a slight threat of severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening, with damaging winds as the primary concern, according to the National Weather Service. A second round of strong to severe storms is expected Saturday, once again posing a risk for damaging wind gusts. Repeated rounds of rain over saturated soils will increase the potential for flash flooding and river rises with this activity.

DES MOINES – Two Republicans considered to be swing districts in the upcoming midterm elections voted against President Donald Trump’s ongoing conflict in Iran. The Associated Press Reports Representatives Marianette Miller-Meeks and Zach Nunn have flipped on their support related to the Iran War Powers Resolution, joining with Democrats in attempting to stop the Trump administration from continuing military action without congressional approval in Iran. Both previously voted to support the conflict, and Nunn recently campaigned with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

FAIRFIELD – A former Fairfield teacher pled guilty to reduced charges related to accusations he sexually exploited a student. WHO-13 reports 58-year-old Vannen Crabtree changed his plea and agreed to reduced charges of grooming and sexual exploitation by a school employee. The state will argue for consecutive sentences and a mandatory prison sentence, with a hearing scheduled on November 9th. Crabtree was arrested in February following a report filed to police by a concerned parent about inappropriate contact through social media between the now-former teacher and a juvenile student.

WASHINGTON D.C. – A renewal of the Farm Bill is now eligible for debate in the U.S. Senate after passing out of a committee this week. Senators Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley ultimately moved the proposal forward even as amendments and proposals they offered were not ultimately considered. The whole Senate would have to vote and approve the measure, and it would also have to clear the U.S. House, which is heading to another recess ahead of the Midterm elections.

PERRY – The Perry Police Department is investigating an incident in which an infant was found dead at a daycare center on Tuesday evening. WHO-13 reports Dallas County Emergency Services were dispatched to Acorns & Oaks Child Care for a female experiencing vaginal bleeding. She was transported to a metro-area hospital shortly after. Police officers responding to the scene found a premature infant dead in a trash bag. The child was not a client of the daycare facility.

DES MOINES – The Des Moines Public School District announced its next leader. The district’s current associate superintendent Matt Smith was voted unanimously to assume the top leadership role on Tuesday, according to KCCI-TV. Smith has now served twice as the interim superintendent of the district, including for the past year, since former superintendent Ian Roberts was arrested by federal agents last year. Roberts was convicted of falsely claiming U.S. citizenship and illegally possessing firearms, and is serving a two-year prison term. Smith has served with Des Moines Public Schools since 2010 in administration in various roles.

IOWA CITY – The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is looking into an officer-involved shooting in Iowa City. KCRG-TV reports police responded to a call of a person armed with a knife on Tuesday evening. Responded officers fired at the individual at one point, who later died at a hospital. Both responding police officers have been placed on leave pending the investigation.

IOWA – Periods of rainfall continue through the rest of this week and into the weekend, according to the National Weather Service. While rains will be intermittent, multiple rounds and already saturated soils may lead to additional flash flooding and rises along area rivers and streams. Thunderstorms are possible at times, with the potential for a few severe storms on Friday afternoon and evening.