Category: State News

WEST DES MOINES – A Truro man was killed following a high-speed single vehicle crash on Monday in West Des Moines that resulted in an ejection. The Iowa State Patrol reports 25-year-old Nicholas James Henry was driving a Mini Cooper at a high rate of speed on Grand Prairie Parkway before losing control and striking a curb, rolling multiple times. First responders say Henry was ejected from the vehicle and died from his injuries.

DES MOINES – Des Moines School Superintendent Ian Roberts announced his resignation on Tuesday following his arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Des Moines School Board had placed Roberts on unpaid leave Monday after the State of Iowa Board of Education revoked his education license, according to the Des Moines Register. Matt Smith is serving as the interim superintendent.

DES MOINES – The U.S. Department of Justice has launched an investigation into the hiring practices of the Des Moines Public School system. KCCI-TV reports the release highlights the efforts of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division into possible violations of Title VII and the use of affirmative action.

UPDATE AT 12:30 P.M. – DES MOINES – Two days after placing their superintendent on paid leave, the Des Moines School Board moved to revoke the salary of Ian Roberts after the State of Iowa Board of Educational Examiners revoked his administrative license. The Des Moines Register reports Roberts has since resigned. Roberts was arrested late last week by U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement for allegedly working illegally inside of the country.

MARION – U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson has called for a federal investigation into Linn-Mar High School. She claims the school news program run by students discussed informational segments related to non-monosexual identities, highlighted by the school’s Gay-Straight Alliance Club. Hinson contacted federal education leaders to investigate because the segments were broadcast without parental consent.

IOWA – Dry conditions allowed 6.2 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending September 28, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The warm temperatures also quickly advanced crop maturity. Fieldwork included harvesting corn and soybeans. Topsoil moisture condition rated 5 percent very short, 22 percent short, 65 percent adequate and 8 percent surplus. Eighty percent of corn has matured, four days ahead of last year and the grain harvest was 15 percent complete, four days ahead of last year.

BRIGHTON – A teenager was killed in a hunting accident in rural Washington County. KCRG-TV reports 17-year-old Carson Ryan was squirrel hunting on Saturday when the Washington native was mistaken for an animal by a member of his hunting party and struck in the head, according to the Iowa DNR, which is handling the incident as accidental. Ryan was selected to the homecoming court this week at Washington High School.

DES MOINES – The Des Moines Public School Board voted unanimously to place Superintendent Dr. Ian Roberts on administrative leave on Saturday following a closed session. KCCI-TV reports Roberts was arrested late last week by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and they claim Roberts attempted to flee and was in possession of a weapon. A statement by the board indicated that there was a robust background check process that led to Roberts hire, as he has served in school administration across the United States. Several Iowa lawmakers have commented on the incident, many who are praising ICE for their arrest.

STORM LAKE – Two Storm Lake residents were killed in a two-vehicle crash in Calhoun County over the weekend. The Iowa State Patrol reports 26-year-old Alondra Bravo and 34-year-old Jorge Perez Hechavarria were passengers in a collision that involved three of the other people involved sitting on patio furniture prior to the crash. The incident happened on Highway 7 near Manson. The driver of the other vehicle was injured, and six total people were hurt.

KEOKUK – A group of residents in an Iowa community are suing a corn-processing plant for odors they claim have created a public nuisance. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports a group in Keokuk is joining another in a potential class-action lawsuit against Roquette America, listed as a producer of corn byproducts. Both lawsuits allege the plant has failed to maintain and operate odor mitigation. The claim revolves around a wastewater facility on-site.

DES MOINES – The leader of the Des Moines Public School district has been detained by immigration officials. KCCI-TV reports Superintendent Dr. Ian Roberts was arrested by ICE after police attempted to stop him. The Department of Homeland Security claims Roberts fled from a targeted operation Friday morning, and say he entered the United States in 1999 and received a removal order from a judge in 2024. The Des Moines School Board is holding a closed session today to discuss the arrest.

WAPELLO COUNTY – A multi-state theft investigation has resulted in an arrest in Wapello County. WHO-13 reports an investigation started in March and had coordinated law enforcement efforts across Iowa, Nebraska, and Colorado. The Wapello County Sheriff’s Office identified 29-year-old Aaron Shane Keegal as the primary suspect, and he’s been in the Mahaska County Jail for unrelated charges since July. Police say all stolen property was recovered.

CORALVILLE – Automated license plate readers are coming to Coralville. KCRG-TV reports the flock cameras used in several other Iowa cities alerts police to wanted vehicles and other traffic issues. The measure passed on a 3-2 vote. There were concerns from citizens over privacy.

WOODBURY COUNTY – A western Iowa county has now been sued as the federal government refuses to release immigration detainees in jail. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports the lawsuits claim that immigration officials are keeping individuals with no criminal record behind bars despite judges approving their release upon payment of bond. Woodbury County had two suits filed against it in response to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement policy drafted in July.

AMES – Iowa State University has fired an financial aid professional for a social media post made following the assassination of Charlie Kirk. WHO-13 identified Caitlyn Spencer for a comment made in response to Kirk’s death, with the notice of termination coming from Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen. The claim is that Spencer violated ethical provisions and those as part of the Board of Regents Freedom of Expression policy. The state’s board has required its three universities suspend and investigate employees who posted remarks about Kirk’s death.

DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds has been making a push for Iowa to receive a first-in-the-nation block grant from the federal government for education. The Des Moines Register reports that the state’s top education officials have submitted a waiver request to the U.S. Department of Education to spend $156 million directly on students as part of the state’s unified allocation plan. The fund s would be used to recruit and develop teachers, improve literacy and math instruction, and expand postsecondary opportunities for students beyond college.