Category: State News

IOWA – Iowa farmers had 4.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 8th, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities included cutting hay and spraying crops. Topsoil moisture condition rated 4 percent very short, 21 percent short, 71 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus. Corn emerged reached 92 percent, four days ahead of last year’s pace, but two days behind normal. Corn condition rated 85 percent good to excellent, up one percentage point from last week. Ninety-seven percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted, with 88 percent emerging.

IOWA – Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected Wednesday afternoon into Wednesday night, mainly across the northern half of Iowa. According to the National Weather Service, this will come as many communities have temperatures reach 90 degrees for the first time this season as well. Large hail and strong winds will be the primary severe weather threats, with heavy rainfall also possible. Additional thunderstorms are forecast from Thursday into the weekend, and severe weather and heavy rain may continue to be possible at times.

PALO ALTO COUNTY – A week long fire in northwest Iowa is being investigated as an arson. WHO-13 reports a blaze at the POET Bioprocessing Plant in Emmetsburg burned for seven days. The facility is an ethanol plant, with an estimated $5 million in losses reported. The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest.

DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds announced she is close to making a decision of whether or not to sign a bill that reduces the use of eminent domain for carbon capture pipelines. The Des Moines Register reports the Governor has until Saturday to decide whether House File 639 should become law. The bill split the Republican party in the vote margins, and would prohibit hazardous liquid pipelines from using eminent domain unless sell the commodity to an unaffiliated buyer. The bill was passed in response to Summit Carbon Solutions $9 billion, multi-state proposal to connect 57 ethanol plants to underground storage for carbon dioxide.

DES MOINES – Drought conditions expanded across the state due to below-normal precipitation in May, according to the latest Water Summary Update. After a drier-than-normal April, May saw decreased rainfall across all regions of the state, resulting in an increase in drought and abnormally dry conditions. While early rain events initially helped maintain stable dry conditions, lower rainfall amounts later in the month resulted in deteriorating conditions across Iowa. May’s average statewide precipitation was 2.80 inches, or 2.04 inches below normal. Iowa’s Drought Plan showed degrading conditions across the state except in the central drought region. However, western Iowa now carries a drought watch designation, with the remaining drought regions remaining under a normal drought designation.

DES MOINES – Fireworks vendors in Iowa say a new law passed in the 2025 session has bolstered sales in the state. WHO-13 reports Senate File 303 allowed for widespread use of fireworks on July 3rd and 4th, as well as January 1st, prohibiting cities and counties from banning their use on those days. Several Des Moines metro sales vendors have reported an uptick in interest following the law passing.

MILLS COUNTY – Two Hawaiian residents were killed on Highway 34 in a collision with a school bus Friday afternoon. The Iowa State Patrol reports a Volkswagen driven by 62 year old Ralph Edward Schultz pulled onto the highway from a stop sign, and did so in front of a school bus. Ralph and 66 year old Perla Schultz both died from their injuries. The driver of the school bus, 63 year old Jeanette Marie Henderson, was injured, as were three juvenile females riding the bus.

DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds signed a bill that requires thousands of Iowans to work or lose their Medicaid coverage. The Des Moines Register reports Reynolds singed Senate File 615 into law. The move impacts 171,000 people on the state’s Medicaid expansion program, if the Trump administration ultimately approves the move. The new law requires adults on the Iowa Health and Wellness plan to work 80 hours per month or be enrolled in an educational or job skills program to qualify for the plan.

IOWA – A former Iowa Senator is planning to challenge the incumbent in the U.S. Senate race. WHO-13 reports Jim Carlin is running in June to unseat Joni Ernst in her bid for a third term. Carlin served in the Iowa Senate for five years before running against Senator Chuck Grassley in the 2022 primary. Carlin claims Ernst has not been true to conservative values. The Ernst campaign countered that claim in a statement issued Friday.

DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds signed a bill that reduces collections for unemployment taxes in the state. KCRG-TV reports the measure could save businesses $1 billion over the next five years in collections used to pay workers laid off from employment. Critics of the measure claim the fund was overcollecting after Republicans shortened the unemployment eligibility window from 26 to 16 weeks, and that the bill only benefits large corporations already making layoffs.

SHELBY COUNTY – A federal appeals court has ruled county ordinances placing regulations on constructing pipelines is not allowed. The Des Moines Register reports Story and Shelby Counties both attempted to restrict pipelines in response to a proposal from Summit Carbon Solutions and their proposed $9 billion project. The pipeline would carry liquified carbon dioxide from ethanol plants to underground storage in North Dakota. A federal court ruled the county regulations can’t exceed state or federal regulations.

CLIVE – Police have arrested a West Des Moines man for a bomb threat made at a MercyOne medical facility in Clive. WHO-13 reports the Clive Police Department traced a call back to 59-year-old Kevin Sanders. The threat was made just before noon on Thursday. Sanders told police he was frustrated with the length of time he was placed on hold during a phone call.

GARNER – A Garner resident was killed in a semi vs. motorcycle crash near Charles City. The Iowa State Patrol reports 66-year-old Ruby May Golnick pulled out on Highway 18 in front of a freightliner. Golnick died from injuries suffered in the collision. Several agencies from Floyd County assisted.

DES MOINES – One idea floated in front of Iowa’s Department of Government Efficiency is to reduce the number of counties in the state. KCCI-TV reports Chief Administrative Officer of Sukup Emily Schmitt says they intend to gather feedback before making a recommendation to Governor Kim Reynolds. The Iowa State Association of Counties released a statement, saying they want to provide resources to the Iowa DOGE Board about the idea. The group is expected to make a recommendation in August.

IOWA – The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa has requested that five Iowa communities change local policies related to drag performances. The Des Moines Register reports the ACLU claims that Carroll, Harlan, Mount Pleasant, Polk City, and Webster City have zoning ordinances that are unconstitutional related to First Amendment expression. The ACLU requested the cities acknowledge their plans to attempt to change those laws targeting male and female impersonators within 14 days. Other communities, including Knoxville, Pella, Newton, Waukee, and Grinnell, made changes to their laws after ACLU requests.