IOWA – An air quality alert remains in place for the entire state through Thursday morning. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources recommends avoided prolonged outdoor activities until the advisory is lifted. Wildfire smoke from Canada has been filtering into the state periodically since this past weekend.CLIVE – Two children were saved at Des Moines metro area pools earlier this week. KCCI-TV reports a young boy was saved by a teenage lifeguard Monday at the Clive Aquatic Center, and later that day, another five-year-old was rescued by a lifeguard in Ankeny. Both community fire departments stress that while the events are rare, parents should continue to practice extra vigilance near bodies of water with children. WASHINGTON D.C. – A bank that serves as the Des Moines metro’s largest employer received relief from a cap on its assets. The Des Moines Register reports the U.S. Federal Reserve released a punitive regulatory move that was made after the bank was found to have been opening millions of unauthorized accounts for customers in for multiple years. The Federal board voted unanimously to lift a cap on assets for future growth this week.

IOWA – Dry weather with isolated showers led to 5.4 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 1st, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Primary field activities included planting, cutting hay and spraying emerging crops. Topsoil moisture condition rated 5 percent very short, 23 percent short, 70 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus. Corn planted reached 97 percent and emerged reached 87 percent, six days ahead of last year’s pace and one day ahead of normal. ALTOONA – The former owners of Adventureland settled with the family of a boy who died in the theme park in 2021. KCCI-TV reports a trial that was planned to start this week had been removed from the schedule in relation to the death of 11-year-old Michael Jarmillo. He died on the Raging River ride one day after it had passed an inspection. The family’s attorney released a statement, mentioning a settlement had been reached, and citing ongoing concerns about safety in the amusement park industry as a whole. SIOUX CITY – Comments made by Senator Joni Ernst last week in a town hall prompted a Democrat to announce his intent to run for U.S. Senate. KCRG-TV reports State Representative J.D. Scholten plans to run against Ernst if he wins the Democratic primary in 2026. Scholten cited comments Ernst made that everyone dies in her response to criticism that proposed Republican cuts to Medicaid would kill people. Scholten earned recognition for nearly defeating Republican Steve King in 2018 in one of the most conservative districts in the country. He joins Nathan Sage as two Democrats who have publicly announced campaigns for U.S. Senate.

CENTERVILLE – A Centerville physician has had his license suspended for accusations of sexual misconduct with a patient. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports Dr. Joshwa Tromblee exchanged messages with a female he first interacted with in 2021. The two exchanged several sexually explicit messages multiple times over the next few years. Tromblee was let go from MercyOne following an investigation. The Iowa Board of Medicine charged him with sexual misconduct, and agreed to a settlement in the case. IOWA – Following a weekend filled with haze, warmer temperatures today will give way to scattered storms Tuesday, some of which may be severe. The National Weather Service is monitoring multiple rounds of precipitation that may bring some hail and wind to the state, as well as the possibility for localized flooding. The rainfall will remain welcome for many, as 56% of the state remains abnormally dry in the latest U.S. Drought Monitor report. DES MOINES – Thousands of people gathered to watch an event highlighting the best soapbox cars in the Midwest. WHO-13 reports the Red Bull event first started in Iowa, and was last held in the state three years ago. Teams were judged based on speed, creativity, and showmanship. Several entries included a giant toilet paper roll, a cart that threw out wood chips, a Mystery Machine-themed ride, and a wooden shoe based on those worn in Pella during Tulip Time. Rolling Fish Heads from Ohio was the winner following a 26-second finish on the course.

ELMA – The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is looking into a pair of officer-involved shootings that occurred this month. he first occurred on May 12th, with details from that incident released on Thursday. Officers Dan Hylton and Michael Hogan shot at a possible suspect during a domestic incident, claiming she was armed with a firearm. Twenty-six year old Davionce Lackey was injured and released from the hospital shortly after. On Wednesday afternoon, the Howard County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call to conduct a welfare check at his residence located in rural Elma. When law enforcement arrived on scene, 49-year old Mark Michael Zweibohmer allegedly began shooting at responding officers, who returned fire. Zweibohmer was arrested and charged with four counts of attempted murder of a police officer. EDDYVILLE – The body of a man believed to be one reported missing earlier this week was found on Friday. The Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office reports 47-year-old Waylon Straube was ejected from the boat he was on during a crash on Sunday, May 25th. A female inside of the boat, Roseann Benda of Corydon, was rescued shortly after the incident. Several public agencies had been searching for Straube since. The body that was recovered will be transported to the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office to confirm the identity and to perform an autopsy. CEDAR RAPIDS – Google announced it will invest $7 billion in a data center in Cedar Rapids and expand other infrastructure in Council Bluffs. Friday’s announcement doubles the communication giant’s footprint in Iowa, according to the Des Moines Register. Google has already invested $6.8 million in projects following a data center in western Iowa launched in 2007.

BOONE – A Boone man died in a two-vehicle crash on Thursday. The Iowa State Patrol reports 89-year-old Dale Ray Crouse was driving a Ford Ranger and pulled into traffic on Highway 30 in Boone County. The report indicates he failed to yield to an oncoming Ford Mustang and collided. Crouse died from his injuries; the juvenile driver of the Mustang was uninjured. MARSHALLTOWN – A former substitute teacher is accused of having inappropriate contact with a student in Marshalltown. WHO-13 reports 63-year-old Daniel Terrones has ben arrested for sexual exploitation by a school employee. He resigned from his role earlier this month following a Marshalltown Police investigation. IOWA – Iowa libraries have brought back their Adventure Pass program. The online program reopened its website on Thursday at several locations across the state. It connects patrons with tickets to 18 different venues in Iowa, including Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines and the Nelson Pioneer Farm in Cedar Rapids.