Category: State News

GLENWOOD – Two people were killed and another was injured in an incident in Glenwood on Wednesday evening. WOWT reports the Glenwood Police Department and other agencies responded to a fire that followed an explosion, with the initial response treated as an active shooter situation. Upon arrival, law enforcement found the residence on fire and two adult victims with gunshot wounds outside. Police have arrested 71-year-old Dennis Burnell, who was critically injured at the scene. The victims have been identified as 38-year-old Brandon Oman and 35-year-old Stevie Oman.

DES MOINES – A task force organized by Governor Kim Reynolds modeled after the National DOGE program is taking aim at state employee benefits as part of recommendations to curb spending. Iowa Public Radio reports the Iowa DOGE Task Force aims to recommend eventually eliminating the IPERS program for government employees, among 44 other items that are expected to be formalized at a future meeting of the group. The group also recommends teachers have annual raises tied to performance, allow cities of over 50,000 become independent from their counties, and to incentive sharing services between municipalities.

LINEVILLE – An unexpected line of strong thunderstorms dropped heavy rain and caused damage throughout central Iowa on Thursday morning. KCCI-TV reports showed significant structure and tree damage in the town of Lineville in Wayne County. A flash flood warning was issued near that area as well, as some communities received 3-4″ of rainfall overnight. A heat advisory is in place throughout much of the state today, with more chances for storms expected through Monday.

IOWA – Governor Kim Reynolds announced the Iowa National Guard will be deployed to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the state. KCRG-TV reports Reynolds told reporters they will help with clerical work. Her office claims the effort comes after the U.S. Department of Defense authorized use of the National Guard to assist in enforcing immigration laws.

ALGONA – The Iowa Court of Appeals ruled against an Iowa man convicted of killing an Algona police officer. KCCI-TV reports Kyle Ricke was charged and found guilty in killing Officer Kevin Cram in 2023. In an appeal, lawyers for the man claim the act wasn’t premeditated and the sentence was too steep. Ricke shot and killed Officer Cram during an attempted arrest via warrant. The Iowa Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction.

DES MOINES – The Iowa State Fair Parade held on Wednesday was the official kick-off to the 2025 event. The parade traveled from the Capitol down Grand Avenue and march west to 15th Street and included more than 130 entries. The Iowa State Fair parade celebrated a special anniversary in 2025: 100 years of the Fiddlers’ Contest. Today marks the first day of the fair, which runs through August 17th. The all-time attendance record was set last year.

MADISON COUNTY – The Madison County Board of Supervisors voted to hire outside legal counsel at their meeting this week. Tensions in the county have continued for months, according to KCCI-TV, over a vacancy in the county auditor’s office. Madison County Attorney Stephen Swanson and Board Chair Heather Stancil argued during the session about how the county handled the fallout of former Auditor Teri Kaczinski’s resignation. The board chair is suing county employees, including the attorney over the dispute. Madison County will pay a Des Moines law firm $300 per hour for services related to an upcoming special election for auditor.

DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced today that nine Iowa Soil and Water Conservation District partners will receive $451,176 in water quality cost-share funding from the Publicly Owned Lakes program to help protect and enhance eight public lakes in Iowa. Jointly administered by IDALS and the DNR, the Publicly Owned Lakes program provides cost-share funding to landowners for conservation practices on private land within watersheds above public lakes and reservoirs. The funding will support the implementation of targeted conservation and water quality practices, including cover crops, water and sediment control basins, grassed waterways, terraces, grade stabilization structures, and other proven practices.

DES MOINES – Tickets go on sale Friday for a returning actor and comedian in Des Moines. The Iowa Events Center announced that Adam Sandler is performing at the Casey’s Center on Saturday, october 4th. The Saturday Night Live alum is coming off of the debut of Happy Gilmore 2.

IOWA – A new study shows nitrate levels remain dangerously high in the state’s waterways. KGAN-TV reports a meeting was held in Des Moines Monday highlighting a two-year research project that shows several samples exceeding EPA standards. Farming and larger metro areas have been cited as the driving factors. The study also cites concerns in the springtime for pesticides.

DES MOINES – Iowa Republicans have a new majority leader in the House of Representatives. The Des Moines Register reports Representative Bob Kaufmann of Wilton is the new leader of the caucus of 67 in the lower chamber of the Iowa Statehouse. Kaufmann replaces Representative Matt Windschitl as he runs for the 4th U.S. Congressional District. Kaufmann has served in the Iowa House since 2012.

TIFFIN – An Iowa community is seeking a special caucus recount due to rapid growth. KCRG-TV reports Tiffin is requesting its residents participate in a special census to ensure its population is accurate. From 2010 to 2020, Tiffin grew nearly double in size on the west side of the Iowa City metro area. Based on the number of water meters served in the city limits, leaders believe it has nearly doubled again in size in the last five years from 4500 to 7000.

DELAWARE COUNTY – Two people have died in a head-on collision in Delaware County. The Iowa State Patrol reports Chevy pickup was traveling northbound on Highway 38, when a Volkswagen crossed the center line and caused the crash. Both drivers, identified as 33-year-old Anthony Mentzer of Monticello and 44-year-old Bobbi Jo Bauers of Delhi, were pronounced dead at the scene.

IOWA – Two additional tornadoes were confirmed by the National Weather Service following a derecho reported last week in northern Iowa. KCCI-TV reports the two reports in northwest Iowa bring the total in Iowa to 22 in 2025, well below last year’s record-breaking pace of 125 for the 2024 calendar year. The peak for the state typically occurs in May and June, although tornadoes have been reported in Iowa as late as December, as several were during an outbreak in 2021.

DES MOINES – Over a million attendees are set to attend the annual Iowa State Fair, which runs August 7th through the 17th in Des Moines. In 2024, three daily attendance records were broken, including the all-time single-day attendance high mark, as well as the total for the entire year. In total, 1.182 million tickets were redeemed last August.