DES MOINES (IRN) – The Des Moines Police Department has released more information regarding an ongoing prostitution sting. WHO-TV reports over 40 arrests have been made over several days. The sting included operations at two local hotels and one street-level enforcement project.  A department spokesperson says the timing coincided with the Iowa State Fair because of the large number of people it brings to town. CARLISLE, IA (IRN) – A pickup and a train collided near Carlisle on Friday morning.  KCCI-TV reports the train was backing up when the truck crossed the tracks and was hit.  Authorities said it was a low speed collision, but the truck was knocked into a ditch. A passenger in the truck was taken to an area hospital. DES MOINES (IRN) – Iowa’s unemployment rate went up in the month of July. Iowa Workforce Development reports Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased slightly to 3.8 percent in July. The unemployment rate in June was 3.7 percent. It’s good news though, as the jobless rate was 4.3 percent one year ago. The U.S. unemployment rate remained at 5.3 percent in July. BEAMAN, IA (IRN) – A 73-year-old woman and her 9-year-old passenger were taken to the hospital after their car failed to yield to a crossing pick-up in Grundy County on Tuesday.  KWWL-TV reports Martha Browns, 73, of Conrad and Elianna Browns, 9, of Grundy Center were both taken to a hospital with unspecified injuries. DES MOINES (IRN) – Four Des Moines cab drivers were robbed in just two weeks, according to KCCI-TV. Des Moines police said it’s likely the same person, who drivers describe as a black male about 25 years old. In each case the man entered the cab, held a knife to the driver’s throat and demanded money. The robberies happened all within a 3-mile radius of downtown. SIOUX CITY, IA (IRN) – The K9 partner of a fallen Sioux City Police Sergeant has died, according to KTIV-TV. Eik, who worked alongside Sergeant Jay Fleckenstein, was suffering from cancer and was put down Thursday. Eik served alongside Sgt. Fleckenstein for six years. After Fleckenstein died of natural causes in April, his family bought Eik for $1 from the city. DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – Dubuque’s City Council voted unanimously to approve $2,500 for buying a drone.  KWWL-TV reports the city wants a “bird’s-eye view” of construction projects. The drone might also be used by firefighters and police. WALLINGFORD, IA (IRN) – A presidential candidate running under a fake name inspired by a rap song is doing well in the polls, according to KCCI-TV. The fake candidate, named Deez Nuts, is the creation of 15-year-old Brady Olsen, a teenager from the northern Iowa town of Wallingford. Deez Nuts has stirred a social media frenzy by polling nearly 10 percent of registered North Carolina voters in a hypothetical match-up against Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Iowa City Police have arrested a man who allegedly stole $15,000 worth of rings from a man that were likely worth much more in sentimental value. KWWL-TV reports Stacy and Melissa Levell stole 12 rings, valued at $15,000, that were left to the man by his wife after she died.  The couple pawned the rings. Melissa hasn’t been arrested. DES MOINES (IRN) – Iowa House Republicans elected a new leadership team Thursday for the 2016 Legislative session.  KCCI-TV reports Rep. Linda Upmeyer was selected as Speaker of the House. She was first elected in 2002 and is serving her seventh term.  Upmeyer will replace Rep. Kraig Paulsen who announced earlier this month that he will not seek reelection next year. DES MOINES (IRN) – A Des Moines woman had a surprise when she returned home after giving birth to a healthy baby boy on Wednesday.  WHO-TV reports the baby’s bassinet, toys, and clothes had been stolen. The burglar broke into the home through the window and also stole a flatscreen TV, DVD player, bicycle, and a bed. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – The number of mumps cases has jumped in Johnson County, and officials are warning University of Iowa students as they begin arriving for the start of the fall semester. Students are advised to stay home if ill, and make sure their vaccinations are up to date. There have been 15 reported cases in the county this year when most years there might be only a single case. SIOUX CITY, IA (IRN) – Two teenage girls have been charged in a bank robbery at a Security National Bank branch in a Hy Vee in Sioux City. KMEG-TV reports 18-year-old Heaven Zevenbergen and 18-year-old Angelica Perez of Sioux City were arrested. Using a disguise, one of the girls handed a teller a note demanding money and threatening to shoot employees if the teller did not comply. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – A man suspected of firing a single shot inside an Iowa City apartment early Tuesday morning was arrested Wednesday by Cedar Rapids police. The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports 28-year-old Diamond Wilson was taken into custody. He was wanted on a warrant for intimidation with a dangerous weapon for firing the shot during an argument DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Twenty five people have been arrested during a prostitution sting conducted by the Mid-Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force at motels in Polk County. Among those charged was 58-year-old David Greenspon. He’s the owner of a local advertising and marketing company and former owner of the Iowa Barnstormers. Also arrested was 31-year-old Tommy Birch, a sports reporter for the Des Moines Register.   SIOUX CITY, IA (IRN) – A Facebook ad selling an alligator known as “Allie” led Sioux City Animal Adoption and Rescue to confiscate the illegal reptile, according to KMEG-TV. A 16-year-old purchased Allie online about a year ago. When he realized he would be unable to care for her, he tried to sell her on Facebook. Allie is now two and a half feet long but has the potential to get up to 10 feet long and weigh up to 800 pounds.

SIOUX CITY, IA (IRN) – A Sioux City father faces up to 25 years in prison for the death of his 2-month-old son, according to KCAU-TV. Michael Williams, 27, brought the infant to a hospital emergency room, but the baby was already dead. An autopsy showed the infant died of malnutrition and dehydration. Williams told police he was addicted to Adderall, marijuana and meth. He pled guilty. FLOYD, IA (IRN) – A North Carolina man was found dead in a semi that had been parked at a gas station in the northern Iowa town of Floyd for five days. KWWL-TV reports deputies found 57-year-old Danny Mosteller of Shelby, North Carolina dead inside the cab of the truck.  Authorities believe Mosteller died from a medical issue. SIOUX CITY, IA (IRN) – A Sioux City man has been sentenced to four years in prison for repeatedly hitting his 13-year-old stepson with a three-ring binder. The Sioux City Journal reports 48-year-old Michael Bardwell was sentenced on two counts of child endangerment. Bardwell struck the boy in the head several times while they were in a Sioux City hotel room. OLIN, IA (IRN) – A funnel cloud nearly touched the ground near Stanwood and Olin in eastern Iowa on Tuesday afternoon, causing minor damage, according to the Iowa Weather Network. Emergency management personnel reported tree limbs were down in Stanwood. SIOUX CITY, IA (IRN) – Sioux City Police are investigating a bank robbery on Saturday, according to KMEG-TV. The robbery took place at the Security National Bank branch located inside Hy–Vee. The suspect handed the teller a note demanding money and threatened to shoot employees if the teller did not comply. The suspect is white, short, has a slight build, wore a baseball cap with the number 87 on it, and has stretched out earring holes. DES MOINES (IRN) – A well-known Des Moines metro businessman was arrested on a prostitution charge Tuesday. KCCI-TV reports David Michael Greenspon, 58, was booked into the Polk County Jail. Greenspon is the president of Competitive Edge Advertising in Urbandale. He hosted multiple events for Mitt Romney in the 2012 election. SIOUX CITY, IA (IRN) – A group of muggers are roaming the streets of Sioux City, according to KMEG-TV. Police say three to six men are involved in the assaults and robberies. The muggers are targeting people who are intoxicated and walking alone. DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – Dubuque barber Courtney Holmes is getting national attention for giving away free haircuts. KWWL-TV reports every first Tuesday of the month, boys and girls aged kindergarten to fifth grade can get free haircuts as long as they read to the stylist at the Spark Family Hair Salon. The purpose of the free haircuts is to help increase literacy.

DES MOINES (IRN) – The emerald ash borer, a destructive and invasive insect of ash trees has been discovered in rural Montgomery County. Iowa’s growing number of counties with confirmed detections has now reached twenty-seven. Native to Asia, the insect has spread to 25 states since first being identified in Michigan in 2002. The invasive pest is responsible for the death of tens of millions of ash trees. DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – Two juveniles were arrested and charged after being involved in a disturbance Monday evening in Dubuque, according to KWQC-TV. When a police officer responded to a disturbance involving several individuals, he saw several people enticing one another to fight. The officer ordered them to disperse, and most didn’t comply. A 12-year-old boy and his 13-year-old sister were arrested. IOWA CITY, IA – A Coralville man arrested earlier this month for having sex with a woman and not telling her he has HIV faces an additional charge after a second victim came forward after hearing news reports. The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports 34-year-old Adam D. Musser has been charged a second time with criminal transmission of an infectious disease to another person. Musser told both women he is disease free. He faces up to 30 years in prison. IOWA CITY, IA – Gov. Terry Branstad’s administration will turn over management of Iowa’s $4.2 billion Medicaid program to four companies beginning Jan. 1. KWWL-TV reports that the companies were selected after a bidding process. The state says patients will receive the same benefits but the new system should reduce unnecessary services. Critics worry the shift will hurt patients. LEHIGH, IA (IRN) – College divers on a training dip were surprised by their discovery of a pickup on the bottom of a lake in central Iowa. The Dubuque Telegraph Herald reports scuba divers from Iowa State University found the truck Sunday at Brushy Creek State Recreational Area near Lehigh. Divers got the truck’s license number, and authorities confirmed the pickup was stolen several years ago. ALLAMAKEE COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A 63-year-old Decorah man is dead after an accident on Hwy 76 in Allamakee County, according to KWWL-TV. Authorities say Mark Werner’s car left the roadway, entered a ditch, reentered the roadway, crossing the highway and entered the opposite ditch. He was pronounced dead at the scene. He was wearing a seatbelt. SIOUX CITY, IA (IRN) – State officials say two former Sioux City employees tampered with samples at the city’s wastewater treatment plant. The Sioux City Journal reports former plant superintendent Jay Niday and supervisor Pat Schwarte put consumers at risk for E. coli. They have lost their certification, and may face prison time and a $50,000 fine. DES MOINES (IRN) – Des Moines police responding to complaints about a stench coming from a house found something unexpected: 55 chickens living in the vacant home. WHO-TV reports the chickens were seized by the Animal Rescue League. The couple who owns the house ran a business called “Sovereign Farmstead,” and sold chickens and pigs out of their home. They reportedly moved out two weeks ago, taking the pigs but leaving the chickens behind.

LINN COUNTY (IRN) – A motorcyclist had to be taken to the hospital after hitting a deer in rural Linn County. KWWL-TV reports Scott Minzenmeyer, 55 of Anamosa, hit the deer on Highway 1. It caused him to lay down his bike, but he is expected to survive. He was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. MASON CITY, IA (IRN) – A trial date of September 22 has been set for a Minnesota man accused of attacking a north Iowa police officer. KIMT-TV reports 25-year-old Teague Russell Miller of Albert Lea is charged with interference with official acts while inflicting a serious injury among other charges. Authorities say he injured Mason City Police Officer Brandon Niedermayer with an improvised weapon on May 10. Miller has pled not guilty. DES MOINES (IRN) – A fire heavily damaged a popular restaurant in Des Moines on Sunday. KCCI-TV reports flames were shooting from the roof when firefighters arrived at A Dong Vietnamese restaurant. No one was present at the time of the fire. Staff mistakenly left a pot on high, when it should have been set to simmer. Over $100,000 in damage occurred. CLINTON, IA (IRN) – A Fulton, Ill. man was injured Sunday afternoon in a tubing accident on the Mississippi River near Clinton. Kurt Parker, 31, was on a tube being pulled by a boat when the rope broke while making a turn causing the tube to crash into the rocky shoreline. Parker was thrown on shore and knocked unconscious. LE MARS, IA (IRN) – A 16-year-old involved in a head-on collision with a semi truck Sunday near Le Mars has died. The Iowa State Patrol reports Damyen Mills was ejected from his vehicle after his car swerved into the southbound lane, and was struck by an oncoming semi truck. 10-year-old Daryen Mills was injured. The driver of the semi suffered minor injuries. DES MOINES (IRN) – The driver involved in a Sunday morning hit-and-run has been arrested after he seriously injured a bicyclist.  KCCI-TV reports 31-year-old Jonathan Rodriguez Leyva is facing multiple charges including second offense OWI, serious injury by vehicle, and leaving the scene of an accident. The bicyclist, 41-year-old Gregary Frank, suffered serious head trauma in the crash. DES MOINES (IRN) – A homeless man has been charged after allegedly setting another man on fire Saturday night, according to WHO-TV. Charged with attempted murder is Mark Thomsen, who lives in a homeless camp near downtown Des Moines. A witness told police an intoxicated Thomsen started a fight with Kenneth Wise and set him on fire. Wise has serious burns over 50% of his body. Investigators found a bottle of lighter fluid near the scene. CEDAR FALLS, IA (IRN) – A stolen car has been pulled from the bottom of Big Woods Lake in Cedar Falls. KWWL-TV reports the car drove through a fence and into the lake early Sunday morning. Diving teams found the car 20 feet down. When pulled from the lake no victim was inside. Police confirmed the car was involved in a crime Saturday night.