Iowa Radio News

DES MOINES – Iowans are set to welcome Iowa National Guard Soldiers home this week. Today, 145 service members are returning from serving nine months in Operation Inherent Resolve in the Middle East. The public is invited to welcome back those individuals at the Des Moines International Airport. WATERLOO – As several employees return to work this month after being previously let go at John Deere, more employees will be called back. WHO-13 reports that 146 laid off workers will return to operations in Waterloo in March. Ninety-nine employees are about to begin work again in Davenport. in 2025, John Deere reduced its workforce by nearly 600 workers. NEWTON – The cause of a house fire in Newton Monday night that claimed the life of at least one dog remains under investigation. Newton Fire Marshall Jacob Halferty says neighbors reported the fire at the two-story house Monday evening. Two dogs that were in the home were killed in the blaze that took several hours to fight. DES MOINES – Iowa lawmakers are making a pitch to host a pro football team. The Des Moines Register reports a group of Republican senators have filed a bill that would provide financial incentives for an NFL team to build in Iowa. Senate File 2252 comes as a proposal as the Chicago Bears negotiate a stadium project to move from downtown Chicago and Soldier Field. The legislation aims to expand Iowa’s MEGA program to include an NFL stadium.

DES MOINES – Three different bills could criminalize abortions in the state of Iowa. WHO-13 reports proposals include House Files 2332 and 2316 and Senate Study Bill 3115. Elective abortions could be considered a Class A Felony under one of the proposals. Currently, Iowa law bans abortion after cardiac activity is detected, or approximately six weeks after pregnancy begins. DES MOINES – A Des Moines man was sentenced last week to 87 months in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm as a drug user. According to public court documents, 20-year-old Bryan Keith Rainey, Jr., and two co-conspirators fired at least 36 rounds of ammunition at a Des Moines residence occupied by two children and their mother on December 16, 2024. At least 11 rounds hit the house. No one was injured. Three days later, officers located Rainey in a parking lot and attempted to arrest him. Rainey ran from the police. IOWA – With temperatures warming up this week, ice conditions at many Iowa lakes are changing quickly. Iowa DNR conservation officers urge caution as conditions deteriorate for ice-related activities, such as fishing and OHV riding. Lack of snow cover, which typically slows winter ice melt even on slightly warmer days, means sunshine and warm temps will cause the ice to crack and contract, making ice unpredictable and potentially dangerous. When there is no snow cover, areas closest to the bank of the lake will become dangerous first. CORALVILLE – The Iowa Girls State Dual Team Wrestling Tournament will compete in familiar surroundings when the event debuts in 2027. The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union announced that Xtream Arena in Coralville will serve as the host venue for the inaugural Iowa Girls State Dual Team Wrestling Tournament, scheduled for January 2027. Xtream Arena has served as the home of the Iowa Girls State Wrestling Tournament since the sport was sanctioned by the IGHSAU in 2023.

FORT MADISON- The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation has filed criminal charges against two inmates at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison. Twenty-nine year old Dennis Lawson and 23-year-old Anthony Bauer are each charged with two counts of Attempted Murder) and one count of Possession of Weapons in a Correctional Institution. The charges stem from a January 21st assault on two Department of Corrections employees. Those injured were treated at a local hospital and have since been released.FAIRFIELD – A high school teacher in Fairfield faces charges of sexual exploitation after allegedly inappropriately contacting a student. KCRG-TV reports Fairfield police have arrested 57-year-old Vannen “Rusty” Crabtree, Jr. of Richland. An investigation started in late January when a parent contacted police about Crabtree and his social media messages to their daughter. He faces charges of sexual exploitation by a school employee, lascivious acts with a minor, and grooming. IOWA – Record high temperatures are expected across a large swath of the state. According to the National Weather Service, daytime highs are expected to approach the mid-60s over the southwest half of Iowa. The previous record for February 9th is 61 degrees in Des Moines, set in 1976. Above-average temperatures are expected well into the month of February, with expected highs in the 40s and 50s through February 17th.

CHARTER OAK – A Crawford County man had died in a grain bin incident in northwest Iowa. KTIV reports 83-year-old Robert Kroll of Charter Oak was found trapped inside of a structure Thursday morning. More than a dozen Crawford County agencies responded and attempted life-saving procedures, but Kroll was pronounced dead at the scene. DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds is proposing an increased tax on tobacco and vaping products in the state. KCCI-TV reports that Reynolds is submitting a bill and made the announcement at a press conference that followed a presentation about findings of ongoing research to see key drivers of cancer in Iowa. The initial findings of a study commissioned by the legislature shows that smoking and obesity are key factors for Iowans in having the second highest cancer rate in the nation. APPANOOSE COUNTY – Two men arrested by Centerville Police as part of an undercover operation related to alleged child predators have pled not guilty to their charges. WHO-13 reports 62-year-old Todd Bratz of Centerville and 54-year-old Brian Leager of Moulton were both arrested after trying to meet undercover police officers posing as minors online. Each were charged with felonies relating to grooming and enticement.

DES MOINES – An Iowa House bill would eliminate vaccination requirements for students attending Iowa’s schools. The Gazette reports House File 2171 advanced on party lines in a subcommittee, and eliminates public health requirements that have been in place for nearly 50 years. Supporters frame the bill as a matter of parental choice, while the vast majority medical organizations in attendance opposed the measure, claiming the vaccines prevent potential disease outbreaks. IOWA CITY – A man is facing multiple drug charges after the Iowa City Police Department claims he caused an explosion in a winter shelter bathroom. KCRG-TV reports 44-year-old Abdiqani Haji Mohamud was arrested after an incident on December 4th. Police found no active fire in the shelter’s bathroom, but there was charred splatter found on surfaces in the space. Officers say the found methamphetamine in the suspect’s sock after the incident. ATLANTIC – A school board meeting in Atlantic was cancelled on Wednesday morning. KCCI-TV reports the special meeting was stopped before it started, and a crowd that had gathered expressed frustration with the district. Those in attendance told the TV station that the meeting was for allegations against a staff member. No charges have been filed with Atlantic police.