Category: State News

DES MOINES, Iowa – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa announced a civil complaint and a civil settlement, as part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. The charges are part of a coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in charges against 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes involving over $6.5 billion in false claims and significant patient harm, including death. In Iowa, that included 70-year-old Eugene J. Cherny of Des Moines and his plastic surgery practice, Heartland Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, P.C., as well as Genesis Health System, Mercy Health Network, Inc., and Trinity Health Corporation located in Davenport.

HOUGHTON – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating a fish kill near the City of Houghton in Lee County. On June 25, the DNR Field Office was notified of a possible pesticide rinsate spill near the ChemoGro facility in Houghton. Rinsate is a diluted mixture of pesticide which can be produced during the washing and cleaning of pesticide storage tanks or spray equipment. A number of dead fish were observed in the creek sections intersected by a public roadway.

DES MOINES – Drivers in Iowa will have a new speed limit on most two-lane highways in the state starting on Wednesday. KCCI-TV reports Senate File 378 will go into effect, which ups the limit to 60 MPH. New consumer protections for Iowans with vehicles towed, the Iowa Child Care Assistance Program expansion, and new age verification laws online are among the other bills to go into effect this week.

ADAIR COUNTY – A 17-year-old resident of Lewis died in a rollover crash in rural Adair County on Saturday night. The Iowa State Patrol reports a Chevy Equinox with six occupants were traveling on a rural road before leaving the roadway and rolling after hitting a culvert. Five of the individuals inside were able to escape, but a teenager died in the crash.

DAVIS COUNTY – Police found the body of a missing person on Saturday during a grid search in Davis County. WHO-13 reports 76-year-old Alvin Haines was reported lost on June 25th after he left his home without telling family members. Haines had dementia, according to the Davis County Sheriff’s Office. A search involving GPS, drones, and volunteers started on Friday.

IOWA – Extreme heat has settled into the state, with most of Iowa’s residents in a warning for those conditions today. According to the National Weather Service, heat index values well above 100 degrees are in the forecast through this evening. Overnight temperatures will drop into the upper 70s and low 80s, providing little relief. A warm stretch will continue through the 4th of July.

LORIMOR – A Lorimor man was killed after he was trapped by a skid loader on a farm. KCCI-TV reports the Madison County Sheriff’s Office found 69-year-old Ronald Bane and pronounced him dead on the scene Thursday night. He was unable to free himself before he was discovered by his family first.

ALBIA – A hidden camera found in a tanning and hair salon in Albia has led to an arrest. WHO-13 reports 49-year-old Kevin Zaputil was charged with stalking and invasion of privacy after Albia Police found a hidden camera, disguised as an electrical outlet. Police say it was placed in an area for personal use, and that Zaputil used it to monitor videos of individuals disrobing.

SIOUX CITY – The Iowa Supreme Court ruled that a state law banning pornography in prisons is constitutional. KTIV reports the law passed in 2018 barred the use of state funding for adult material in prisons. Twelve inmates sued the state, claiming it was a restriction of their First Amendment rights. Court records indicated prisoners were trading the materials, which lead to violence.

DES MOINES – Libertarian candidate for governor Nicholas Gluba is asking the courts to return his name to the November ballot after the State Objection Panel voted to remove it earlier this month. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports the appeal was filed in Polk County District Court. It challenges a decision that Libertarians would not appear in the governor’s race after Jules Carter, the candidate for Lt. Governor, did not submit an affidavit of candidacy by the June 2nd deadline.

DES MOINES – The Iowa State Fair is launching a new learning space with specialized workshops at the 2026 event. KIMT reports the All-Iowa Classroom runs August 13th through 23rd, offering hands-on experiences led by experts from across the state. The space will be located in the Maytag Family Theatres. Most classes held at the fair will be free, buts some required pre-registration and fees to cover supplies.

IOWA – An extended heat wave is set to bear down across the state into Independence Day. According to the National Weather Service, a ridge of high pressure will settle in, filtering in hot and humid air locally. Daytime temperatures will remain in the 90s starting Sunday through at least the 4th of July, with many communities reaching oppressive heat index values above 100 on many days next week.

MARSHALLTOWN – Governor Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation for Marshall County in response to severe weather that occurred on June 17th. According to the National Weather Service, wind speeds of nearly 100 MPH were reported in Marshalltown near the airport as a strong line of thunderstorms pushed through during the early morning hours. Governor Reynolds’ proclamation allows state resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of these storms and activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program and the Disaster Case Advocacy Program.

DES MOINES – A federal judge has blocked the state of Iowa’s restrictions on purchases made by those using the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. KCCI-TV reports several leaders of food pantries in the state are unsure if immediate changes will come. The ruling overturns a USDA waiver that allowed the state of Iowa to restrict certain SNAP purchases.

IOWA – Extreme heat is on the way for Iowa. Warmer air and additional humidity will arrive by Sunday and Monday, and linger into next week toward the Independence Day holiday. Heat indices Sunday and Monday will likely be at or above 100 degrees for most of the week. Those with outdoor plans should take extra precautions, including staying hydrated and taking frequent breaks in air conditioning.