FORT DODGE – One person was pulled from a vehicle in a river near Fort Dodge late Saturday. KCCI-TV reports the Fort Dodge Fire Department responded to the Des Moines River and found a van at least 150 yards away from a boat ramp with an individual inside. The water was up to that person’s shoulders, who was pulled out and taken to a nearby hospital. DES MOINES – Two people were injured during a Sunday morning shooting in Des Moines. WHO-13 reports the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to a Kwik Star on Northeast 14th Street and found an adult male suffering from a stomach wound. Des Moines Police later identified another man had arrived at another hospital in a private vehicle, and confirmed he was connected to the shooting. IOWA – While warmer and drier than normal conditions are expected to largely dominate the state this week, a much more active and cooler weather trend could take place as soon as this Sunday. The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center shows strong chances of cooler-than-average and wetter-than-normal weather starting May 18th. This comes as much of Iowa has been removed from drought conditions, according to the latest national report.

IOWA CITY – An Iowa City man was sentenced to 200 months in federal prison for receiving child pornography and distribution. According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, 26-year-old Evan Robert Steinberg received and distributed files on five devices containing hundreds of images and videos, including prepubescent males, as young as under 1 year old, engaging in sex acts with adults. DES MOINES – The Iowa Supreme Court will allow voting materials to be published in English only. KCCI-TV reports a decision issued Friday found the League of United Latin American Citizens lacked standing in trying to overturn a 2002 law that prevents the secretary of state from using any other language on ballots. The court said organizations much find direct harm to legal rights before filing suit in future challenges. DAVENPORT – A Coal Valley, Illinois woman was sentenced to six years in federal prison for using interstate facilities in a murder-for-hire. According to public court documents, in late 2023, Autumn Jeanine Carianna Markley attempted to facilitate a killing by wiring money through a financial services application. Markley contacted a confidential source who was located in the Southern District of Iowa and made numerous statements that she would pay for someone to murder one of her relatives. Markley went so far as to give the confidential source a target name, address, and down payment for the murder-for-hire. This case was investigated by the Scott County Sheriff’s Office.

DES MOINES – Iowa Republicans have come to an agreement for the upcoming fiscal year budget following a week-long dispute between the chambers that pushed the 2025 session into overtime. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports the state will allocate $9.425 billion for the next 12 months — $28 million less than the Iowa House GOP proposed and $8 million more than the Senate and Governor’s joint proposal. The compromise included funding for paraeducators first approved in 2024 and additional money for community colleges. MUSCATINE – Two Muscatine residents were sentenced for federal child pornography charges in court this week. Thirty-seven-year old Jessica Rochelle Peters and 29-year-old Calvin Shawn Crater each received extensive federal prison time for possession and production of explicit photos and video of minors. Carter received 27 years of time and Peters was sentenced to 45 years in prison. IOWA – A senior deputy of Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird has been nominated to serve as the U.S. Attorney for Northern Iowa, according to the Des Moines Register. Leif Olson was selected by President Donald Trump to sever as the senior federal prosecutor and legal officer in the district. Olson has served as chief deputy attorney general since 2023.

DES MOINES – The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved a request by Governor Kim Reynolds to approve a state project for hunger as the state opted out of federal assistance. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports Healthy Kids Iowa aims to work with existing summer food programs. Iowa is one of 11 states not participating in a federal program that provides $40 a month. Families with children ages four to 18 in households at or below 185% poverty are eligible for Reynolds plan. WEST DES MOINES – A second Democrat has announced intentions to run against Representative Zach Nunn in what is expected to be a competitive U.S. House race in 2026. The Des Moines Register reports Iowa House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst has announced plans to challenge for the seat. She’s the second Democrat to do so, as State Senator Sarah Trone Garriott also announced her campaign earlier this week. ELKADER – The Central Community School District has held off on letting go of its superintendent for now. KCRG-TV reports the school board claims an agenda item caused too much confusion as it replated to a contract extension for Nick Trenkamp. He’s accused of making homophobic comments on social media and has been on administrative leave since. The district’s board president did not clarify what action could be taken in the near future related to the contract.

MADISON COUNTY – One day after a legal petition against the Madison County Board of Supervisors was dismissed, the county’s auditor resigned. WHO-13 reports Teri Kaczinski attempted to hire her campaign manager several times and held reduced hours. Kaczinski also missed state training sessions she claimed to attend. The auditor will end her tenure on July 4th.DES MOINES – The recently appointed lieutenant governor has announced a run for a different role in state government. KCCI-TV reports Chris Cournoyer will run for state auditor. The Republican was selected as the Lt. Governor in December following the resignation of Adam Gregg. CEDAR FALLS – A practitioner in Cedar Falls facing multiple criminal charges has had his license suspended. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports James Haag is accused of assaulting female patients last summer. He faces two counts of sexual abuse and two counts of intent to do so in criminal court. The state board alleges Haag abused his role in medicine and knowingly engaged in unethical conduct and practice harmful to the public.