Category: State News

DES MOINES – An appeals court overturned an injunction blocking an Iowa law banning LGBTQ instruction and certain books in schools. KCCI-TV reports Senate File 496 was passed in 2023, changing how Iowa schools were allowed to approach gender identity in the classroom. A block was issued in federal court in 2023, with the American Civil Liberties Union pushing opposition to the measure. The United States Court of Appeals ruled to vacate the injunction and remanded it back to a federal court.

WATERLOO – A Michigan man has been charged in connection to an Amber Alert issued on Sunday. WHO-13 reports 23-year-old Daniyal Khan of Ann Arbor has been charged with kidnapping and sexual exploitation of a minor. A 12-year-old girl missing from Waterloo was found in Michigan shortly after a statewide alert was issued Sunday night.

WATERLOO – A Waterloo man has been charged with second-degree murder in relation to the death of his mother. KCRG-TV reports 27-year-old Nicholas Fettkether admitted to police that he killed 50-year-old Stephanie Turner Saturday morning. The woman was found dead after a welfare check. Fettkether is accused of telling police he assaulted his mother.

OTTUMWA – Governor Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation for Wapello County in response to severe weather that occurred on April 2nd. Governor Reynolds’ proclamation allows state resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of this severe weather and activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program and the Disaster Case Advocacy Program.

WATERLOO – An Amber Alert was issued Sunday evening for a 12-year-old Waterloo girl, who was later found. KCRG-TV reports Deyton Cranston was located just over an hour after an alert was sent statewide. She was last seen with a man named Danny.

MONTEZUMA – Authorities report that two people were found dead inside of a vehicle submerged in a pond on Saturday morning. WHO-13 reports the Poweshiek County Sheriff’s Office was notified of the incident this weekend. Both people inside were pronounced dead at the scene.

WRIGHT COUNTY – Two people died in a Wright County crash on Friday night. KCCI-TV reports the collision just south of Belmond involved an illegal u-turn, according to the Iowa State patrol. Both 65-year-old Michael Mickelson and 71-year-old Ellen Countryman were killed in the crash.

DES MOINES – A former elementary principal in Bondurant-Farrar left the role after she was allegedly found drunk on campus. KCCI-TV reports Carrie Ratliff resigned at the most recent school board meeting. Superintendent Rich Powers says Ratliff was found under the influence while on school property.

IOWA – The full route was announced this week for the annual RAGBRAI event in July. While the overnight stops had been previously announced this past winter, the various in-between communities have been officially selected. The route takes bike riders from Onawa to Harlan to Guthrie Center to Boone to Marshalltown to Independence to Dyersville and eventually Dubuque. The ride is from July 19 through 25.

DES MOINES – Additional layoffs have been announced at Wells Fargo in West Des Moines. The Des Moines Register reports 62 workers will be let go by May 30th. That brings the total to 286 since September, and more than 1,500 jobs in the last four years.

IOWA – Several communities reported damage from thunderstorms that pushed through southern and eastern Iowa on Thursday, with more possible today. According to the National Weather Service, Ottumwa received baseball-sized hail and multiple tornadoes were reported, including near West Branch. Additional chances for severe weather return this afternoon and evening, mainly with the southern half of the state.

DES MOINES – A second executive for Iowa’s Public Employees Retirement System has been placed on leave related to allegations of misconduct. KCCI-TV reports that Chief Benefits Officer Steven Herbert is now also being investigated. CEO of IPERS Greg Samorajsk was accused of misconduct earlier this week. The governor’s office claims that the retirement plan has not been impacted by the investigations.

TAMA – The City of Tama has lost its mayor and now faces a state audit due to several budget related concerns. The Des Moines Register reports that Mayor Brian Hanus, the city’s attorney, and other EMS personnel all departed the community in March. The police department has outspent its overtime budget and that overall finances in the community have spiraled to a deficit.

DES MOINES – The CEO of Iowa’s Public Employees’ Retirement System is under paid leave due to an investigation into misconduct. KCRG-TV reports IPERS CEO Greg Samorajski will continue to receive his salary as the state looks into the allegations. He was appointed by Governor Kim Reynolds in 2020. State investigators claim this will not risk the $45 billion trust fund or payments to retirees.

URBANDALE – A third teenager has been charged in relation to a deadly shooting in Urbandale. KCCI-TV reports another 13-year-old faces first degree murder. Two other juveniles face the same count for the death of a 14-year-old in February. Additionally, Lindsey Louison, a mother of one of the teens, has been charged for not properly securing a firearm that was used in the shooting.

IOWA – Heavy rain and severe thunderstorms remain in the forecast for many Iowans through Friday night, especially in southern and eastern Iowa. According to the National Weather Service, multiple thunderstorms are capable of producing large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes as an active system settles into the state to start the month. A much cooler Saturday will follow ahead of the Easter holiday.