IOWA – The Iowa Department of Education announced they had received more than 35,000 applications for Education Savings Accounts before the June 30th deadline. The Gazette reports of those, more than 80% have been approved, and approximately 11,000 more students than the opening year. Families that apply successfully must also be enrolled in an accredited non-public school to receive the equivalent of per pupil funding received by public schools for enrollees. A study published by Brown and Princeton Universities showed Iowa’s private schools increased by more than 20% after the implementation of the legislation. CEDAR RAPIDS – Two people were arrested for human trafficking charges in Cedar Rapids. KCRG-TV reports 49-year-old Tana Torres and 34-year-old Jarod Anderson were placed in custody as part of an ongoing investigation of a juvenile girl who was reported missing but found in the community earlier this  spring. Police say the two forced the young girl into prostitution. SIOUX CITY – A lawmaker in his 40s has revived his athletic career this summer. The Des Moines Register reports that State Legislator J.D. Scholten has had two quality starts after he was called to fill in for an emergency earlier this month with the Sioux City Explorers. The 44-year-old has given up three runs in just under 13 innings of work so far.

IOWA – Two Democratic candidates running for the U.S. House in Iowa have called for President Joe Biden to leave the race after his performance in the first debate and concerns raised about his ability to stay in office for four more years. Both Christina Bohannon and Sarah Corkery requested that the president drop out of the 2024 race with just under four months remaining until Election Day. IOWA – Damage estimates indicated flooding and widespread severe weather in the state has cost millions of dollars in damage so far this year. KCRG-TV reports Governor Kim Reynolds said Thursday that 2,000 of approximately 5,000 homes impacted by storms are irreparable, and that infrastructure costs will likely exceed $130 million for repairs and replacement. NEWTON – A Newton woman is accused of stealing from a county government agency. WHO-13 reports 31-year-old Shelby Hobbs is accused of writing dozens of checks to herself using Jasper County Community Development’s funding, totaling more than $17,000. Hobbs was arrested on Wednesday and faces first degree theft and forgery charges. INDIANAOPOLIS – Iowa’s standout women’s basketball graduate won two national awards last night for her time as a Hawkeye. Caitlin Clark won two ESPY awards for best collegiate athlete and record breaking performance for becoming the NCAA’s All-Time leading scorer.

DES MOINES – Following a tour of communities impacted by flooding, Governor Kim Reynolds will hold a press conference today about the latest. Several state and federal proclamations have provided aid to dozens of Iowa Counties impacted by widespread severe weather and flooding in the state. Reynolds made visits to Rock Valley, Spencer, and Sioux Rapids on Wednesday. IOWA – While the traffic fatality count in Iowa is down so far in 2024, the month of July has been on pace for a higher amount of deaths on state roadways. The Iowa DOT traffic count reported 149 people had died in vehicle crashes so far in 2024, but the month of July is on pace for 49 deaths, which would be among the worst on record. The Iowa State Patrol reminds drivers to obey posted traffic laws and to avoid driving while excessively speeding or distracted. ESTHERVILLE – Four record flood crests were reported along the Des Moines River basin in June. The National Weather Service reports high marks were reported along the west fork of the river in northwest Iowa in the communities of Estherville, Emmetsburg, and Humboldt. The previous records for those locations was during Spring 1969 flood event. OSKALOOSA – The Oskaloosa community is mourning the loss of a school administrator while he was on vacation. The district announced the death of Mark Scholes in a swimming accident in Lake Michigan over the weekend. The school is offering grief counseling today.    

IOWA – Tuesday was deadly on Iowa’s roadways, according to the Iowa State Patrol. The state police agency reported three separate fatal crashes in Carroll, Black Hawk, and Wayne Counties. Among those who died in crashes were 84 year old Larry McDanel and 70 year old Linda mcDanel of Exline, Ronald Eischeid of Carroll, and an unidentified individual from Mondamin. DICKINSON COUNTY – A trial is underway for a man accused of killing an Algona police officer in 2023. WHO-13 reports testimony as started as Kyle Ricke faces charges in relation to the death of Kevin Cram. Several witnesses testified against Ricke, including law enforcement and family members. ROLFE – Law enforcement is searching for a Pocahontas County man they consider dangerous. KCCI-TV reports Nathan Edward Nickless is wanted for allegedly fleeing U.S. Marshals. The search is centered near the town of Rolfe.        

OSAGE – A Republican is retiring from the Iowa Senate just weeks after winning a primary to put himself on the November ballot. The Des Moines Register reports Senator Waylon Brown gave no reason as to why he’s leaving his seat, effective Wednesday. Brown served as the Majority Whip and represented Worth, Mitchell, and Cerro Gordo counties. The senator won his primary by just a few points over challenger Doug Campbell. ALTOONA – The process begins soon for a potential new casino in Cedar Rapids. KCRG reports the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission is expected to review an application by the Linn County Gaming Association and Peninsula Pacific Entertainment. The new casino, if approved, would provide 8% of revenue to local non-profits. The joint applicants updated a 2021 application after previous attempts failed. ANKENY – A juvenile was killed in a two-vehicle crash in Ankeny Sunday. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office reports the head-on crash led to the death of the teen. All three individuals in both vehicles were minors.