Category: State News

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Iowa City Police are investigating an early morning armed robbery. KWWL-TV reports a little after 2:30 a.m., Iowa City Police received a report of an armed robbery at Walgreens. The suspect, who displayed a handgun, got away with an undisclosed amount of money.

IOWA (IRN) – Russian operatives trying to sow discord and distrust during the 2016 presidential campaign bought social media advertisements alleging fraud in Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucuses. The Des Moines Register reports that’s one of the allegations in an indictment made public by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who’s investigating Russian meddling in the election and possible collusion with President Trump’s campaign. The Facebook post alleged that “Hillary Clinton has already committed voter fraud during the Democratic Iowa Caucus.”

IOWA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health is reporting a sharp increase in cases of the flu and deaths caused by the virus. 29 Iowans died from influenza-related illness last week. That pushes the total number of flu deaths since last October to 126. Federal health officials believe it is currently the peak of the flu season.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Firefighters fought a fire at a warehouse owned by Republic Services, a Iowa City recycling firm, for hours yesterday, according to KCRG-TV. Fire officials say the building was filled with thousands of bales of compressed recycled cardboard, and was difficult to fight.

NORWALK, IA (IRN) – An $87 million project is coming to Norwalk that will create hundreds of jobs. KCCI-TV reports Michael Foods, a $2 billion manufacturer and distributor, announced Friday that it chose Norwalk for a new regional manufacturing and distribution facility. Norwalk city manager Luke Nelson said the plan holds great promise for future growth. He adds the deal is proof that Norwalk is on track to become the next Waukee or Ankeny.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Supreme Court says the birth mother of an 18-month-old girl, paid as a surrogate to have the baby, is not legally the child’s parent. The opinion issued today means the girl remains with the Cedar Rapids couple raising her. The child will not be turned over to the woman who gave her birth. It’s the first time the state’s highest court determined surrogacy contracts in Iowa can be enforced.

MASON CITY, IA (IRN) – A Mason City man accused of murdering his grandparents in November has been found competent to stand trial. KIMT-TV reports a judge decided Codie Matz does not suffer from a mental disorder that would prevent him from understanding the charges against him. Matz is accused of stabbing to death 61-year-old Kenneth Hackbart and his wife, 64-year-old Kathleen Hackbart at their Mason City home in early November.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Mental health experts are calling for lawmakers to fund mental health programs rather than using the topic as a way to avoid difficult conversations about gun control. KCCI-TV reports counselors at Orchard Place Child Guidance Center work with adolescents in more than 30 metro schools. Dr. Stephen Mandler, chief medical officer at Orchard Place, says more funding is critical–“The services for children are in desperate need, and there are a lot of children in Iowa silently suffering.”

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A pro-gun bill known as “Constitutional Carry” did not advance through the Iowa Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday. The legislation would have removed the requirement have a permit to carry a dangerous weapon.

CORALVILLE, IA (IRN) – An inmate struck a correctional officer at the Iowa Medical Classification Center in Coralville Thursday, according to KCRG-TV. The officer handcuffed the inmate and then moved inside a cell to help move him, because the inmate uses a wheelchair. The inmate then used both fists to strike the officer on the side of his head. The officer suffered bruising, scratches, and a headache. He was taken to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for examination.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Des Moines diner-goers scored a side of Aquaman with their biscuits and gravy Thursday morning. The Des Moines Register reports Jason Momoa, the Norwalk-raised actor known on the big screen as D.C. Comics’ Aquaman, had breakfast at the Waveland Cafe Thursday. His order? The Double Lumberman with two eggs sunny side up and a mound of bacon.

STORM LAKE, IA (IRN) – Seven students in the Storm Lake School District have been arrested on criminal charges for sharing nude photos on their phones. The Sioux City Journal reports that the investigation began Feb. 6, when police were called to Storm Lake High School about multiple students sending nude photographs via text messages to other students. Six of the seven students are in high school; the seventh is in middle school.

FORT DODGE, IA (IRN) – Two people have been injured by a natural gas explosion at their home in Fort Dodge. The Messenger reports that the four residents had just been told to leave the house Wednesday afternoon when the blast occurred. Authorities blamed a natural gas leak that may have started when a city public works crew stuck a gas line in front of the house A MidAmerican Energy worker sent to the home as a precaution advised the occupants to leave and was a few feet from the front door when the explosion occurred. The worker wasn’t hurt.

ELDRIDGE, IA (IRN) – A 15-year-old boy is dead after a head-on collision in rural Scott County yesterday. KWQC-TV reports the boy crossed the centerline and hit a Ford truck head-on. He died at the scene, but the truck driver is OK. Low visibility caused by fog may have been a contributing factor. The teenager who died was a sophomore at North Scott Senior High School.

RED OAK, IA (IRN) – A judge has cited Iowa’s new “stand your ground” law in granting immunity to a man accused of shooting to death an attacker. KGAN-TV reports the judge ordered the release of 39-year-old Kevin Staley, who acknowledged shooting 27-year-old Devin Davis, of Villisca, on Oct. 11 in Red Oak. Two men startled Staley in an alley wearing hoodies and bandanas as they screamed and ran toward him. Staley pulled his handgun after he was knocked down and shot one who turned out to be Davis. They both ran off, and Davis collapsed and died a few moments later.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Coincidentally, just hours before a deadly shooting at a south Florida high school in which 17 people were killed yesterday, Iowa lawmakers advanced a bill at the that would ensure schools have a plan to respond to active shooter incidents. Many lawmakers said they were surprised to learn that not all Iowa school districts have a plan. The bill has bipartisan support.

WINTERSET, IA (IRN) – An Iowa veteran has made his way into the Guiness Book of World Records. Posthumously. WHO-TV reports that while Ted Nowakowski of Winterset passed away before he was recognized, he was the world’s longest surviving heart transplant patient. Nowakowski was born in 1948, and received his transplant in 1983, giving him another 34 years of life. He passed away last month at the age of 69. Nowakowski worked for three decades at Murray High School, where he coached football and taught art.

OTTUMWA, IA (IRN) – An Ottumwa family is looking to raise funds to attend the trial of a man accused in their daughter’s murder. Eighteen-year-old Tierra Stansberry of Ottumwa was one of five people who died in an arson fire in Los Angeles in 2016. Three other Ottumwa natives also died in that fire. Johnny Sanchez, an undocumented immigrant from Honduras, was arrested and charged with setting the fire to the abandoned building after an argument. His preliminary hearing starts March 19th in and the Stansberry family wants to be there. They have started a GoFundMe page to help with traveling costs from Iowa to California.

DES MOINES, IA (IR) – Arguments began today in a lawsuit to permanently block parts of Iowa’s new abortion law. The law was signed by former Gov. Terry Branstad last year. It bans the procedure after 20-weeks of pregnancy, and requires a three-day waiting period for women wanting an abortion. The Iowa Supreme Court is hearing the argument today.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Gov. Kim Reynolds promised more money in the pockets of Iowa’s middle-class families Tuesday while unveiling a new tax reform plan. Reynolds’ tax reform plan would cut personal income taxes by 23 percent, resulting in $1.7 billion of relief over six years. Reynolds said the new plan will provide immediate relief to small business owners through a 25 percent income deduction.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A bill that private and homeschool supporters are behind moved forward in the legislature Tuesday. Currently, public schools get about $6,500 per year for each enrolled student. The bill to establish an Education Savings Account would allow parents who send their children to non-public schools to use $5,000 a year for education costs. Tom Ahart, superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools says the bill would seriously impact the public schools, and that, “Funneling public money into a private institution that follows a different set of expectations, different set of guidelines, and does not have a publicly elected board…flies in the face of public school tradition in the state of Iowa.”

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A bill to reinstate capital punishment in Iowa will not advance this legislative session. The bill would have allowed for capital punishment for crimes like murdering a peace officer and first-degree murder involving kidnapping or rape.

IOWA (IRN) – U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley is not the highest-rated politician in Iowa. The latest Des Moines Register poll shows 49 percent of Iowans approve of Grassley’s job performance, but 51 percent indicate approval for U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst. The results mark the first time ever that Iowa’s other U.S. senator has rated higher in an Iowa Poll than Grassley, a seven-term Republican first elected in 1980.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA (IRN) – A Council Bluffs police officer is OK after being dragged by an escaping SUV. KETV reports the officer went to a Kwik Shop in Council Bluffs around midnight. Before entering, the officer recognized someone sitting in an SUV outside the store as havng a warrant out for his arrest. The officer attempted to make contact and when he ordered the suspect to get out of his vehicle, the suspect put his vehicle in reverse and drove away. The officer’s hand became trapped in the door and he was dragged about 20 to 30 feet before escaping.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – An Iowa City business owner accused of repeatedly asking a customer if he was a Muslim and a terrorist has been sentenced to probation. KWWL-TV reports Chad Cermak entered an Alford plea Monday to a misdemeanor charge of harassment. Under an Alford plea, a defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges the state likely can prove the charge. Cermak was arrested after a person complained to authorities that he went to Cermak Automotive, where Cermak repeatedly asked if he was a Muslim, a terrorist, or a suicide bomber.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A state Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday advanced a controversial bill banning abortion as early as six weeks, to cheers from anti-abortion Iowans.
KCCI-TV reports the so-called “fetal heartbeat bill” would make it a felony for doctors to perform abortions after detecting a fetal heartbeat. Committee Democrats who oppose the bill argued that it is unconstitutional, attacks women’s rights and will worsen a doctor shortage.

WARREN COUNTY, IA (IRN) – One person is dead and another injured following a crash near Indianola. The Iowa State Patrol reports 29-year-old Jenny Somvong died Monday. 29-year-old Cody Meyer was driving south when his vehicle left the roadway, struck a guardrail and entered the northbound lane. Meyer’s vehicle struck Somvong’s vehicle, killing her.

NEVADA, IA (IRN) – Authorities are investigating a threatening email sent to Nevada High School Monday. WHO-TV reports an email including a threat of violence towards students and staff at the high school was received around 2 p.m. Law enforcement and parents were then notified, and Nevada Middle School and Nevada High School were evacuated.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – A construction worker is making sure kids at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital are still getting the wave from the Kinnick Stadium field. KCRG-TV reports Justin Mason is working as part of a crew renovating the stadium. He, like many others, enjoyed the tradition of waving to children in the hospital at Iowa home football games. With the football season over, he didn’t want the recognition to stop. So he spray painted a wave hand on the back of his safety vest. For Mason, this is personal. His son was once a patient at the hospital.