Iowa Radio News

BETTENDORF (IRN) – An Iowa woman who falsely faked a cancer diagnosis and received benefits on social media will stay out of prison. The Associated Press reports Madison Russo never had pancreatic cancer or leukemia as claimed in postings online. But over 400 people sent her donations. As part of a 10-year suspended sentence handed down Friday, she was ordered to pay $39,000 in restitution and a $1,370 fine, with three years of probation. The Bettendorf woman pled guilty in June to first-degree theft. POLK COUNTY (IRN) – A Pleasant Hill woman was killed in a collision on Interstate 80 Sunday. The Iowa State Patrol reports a Kia Optima driven by William Owen Barnhart rear-ended a tractor trailer near Mile Marker 133, flipped, and came to a rest in the center lane. The passenger in the Kia, 40-year-old Kimberly Louise Barnhardt, died as a result of injuries. The semi driver was uninjured. DICKINSON COUNTY (IRN) – A hunting accident this at the Spring Run Wildlife Management Area Saturday has left one person serious injured. KIWA Radio reports that the Iowa DNR says the victim sustained a gunshot wound while waterfowl hunting with friends. The individual was airlifted an area hospital.

OMAHA (IRN) – Navigator CO2 has announced they are cancelling their carbon dioxide pipeline. WHO-13 reports the Texas-based company announced Friday they were stopping their proposal due to uncertainty in the regulatory process in several states. This comes as several states have halted the progress of the Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline. The Iowa Utilities Board is reviewing their proposal. Both pipelines would have spanned multiple states. URBANDALE (IRN) – An Iowa community is sorting out how to fight back against an increase of the coyote population. The Des Moines Register reports Urbandale is working with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources on a coyote management plan. The city intends to have annual reports on encounters between the wildlife and humans. The city is working on ways to reduce the population in a humane manner while also protecting residents. KANSAS CITY (IRN) – An NFL star making headlines for his Super Bowl title defense and love life with megastar Taylor Swift sported a bit of Iowa attire this week. KCCI-TV reports Kansas City Chiefs Tight End Travis Kelce wore the head of Cy the Cardinal, the mascot for Iowa State, after his alma mater Cincinnati lost to the Cyclones last weekend. Kelce says he made the wager with Chiefs administrator Brad Gee, and Iowa State graduate.

IOWA (IRN) – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has released their annual winter outlook for 2023-24. The Climate Prediction Center shows increased chances for a warmer than average winter and near normal conditions as it relates to precipitation chances statewide. The drought outlook also released this week shows the likelihood for at least some improvement locally, but that dry conditions will likely overall persist into the spring. CLARKSVILLE (IRN) – A former police officer in Clarksville has been convicted of several crimes related to sexual exploitation of minors. The Des Moines Register reports Michael Tobin was found guilty at the end of a trial held this month in Butler County. Tobin was found guilty on 11 counts of sexual exploitation after he was found soliciting indecent images from children. DES MOINES – Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate ticked up to 3.0 percent in September, up from 2.9 percent last month but down from 3.1 percent a year ago. Meanwhile, Iowa’s labor force participation rate decreased slightly from 68.7 percent to 68.6 percent in September. The U.S. unemployment rate remained at 3.8 percent in September, and the national labor force participation rate remained at 62.8 percent.

WASHINGTON D.C. (IRN) – Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks says she’s received death threats over her vote against Jim Jordan for U.S. House Speaker. Miller-Meeks initially voted for her colleague on Tuesday, only to switch her vote on Wednesday. In a statement shared online, she says she’s received credible threats against her. KEOKUK COUNTY (IRN) – A Keokuk County Sheriff’s Office employee was placed on leave while a hayrack ride crash is under investigation. KCCI-TV reports the department received several calls for a crash requiring medical assistance were received Saturday as part of a ride for seventh grade students from Sigourney. The party was organized by parents off campus, and an employee with the sheriff’s office was off-duty but involved with the operation. DES MOINES (IRN) – Research from Drake University shows Iowa pharmacies are shrinking. The Iowa Capital Dispatch reports that a study by Professor Michael Andreski shows the total number of pharmacies in the state has declined by more than 10%, with the largest losses among independent operations and in more rural areas.

OTTUMWA – An Ottumwa man was found dead late Monday night. According to the Ottumwa Police Department, 34-year-old Samuel Gallegos-Ramirez of Ottumwa, was found outside of a home at a reported stabbing, transported to the Ottumwa Regional Health Center, and he was pronounced deceased. The Ottumwa Police Department and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation continue the investigation. No charges have been filed. There is no known ongoing threat to the public.\ CLAYTON COUNTY – A Clayton County livestock facility is again seeking approval for how it plans to dispose of manure close to one of Iowa’s best trout streams. The Des Moines Register reports Supreme Beef is seeking the go-ahead from the Iowa DNR amid objections from several groups. The proposed 39 million gallon manure storage basis is close to Bloody Run Creek and in an area where leaks into groundwater are more likely. The facility has been through several legal challenges, and currently stores manure on-site. The operation is the largest in Clayton County, and the Iowa DNR will consider approval of the new plan. IOWA (IRN) – A holiday tradition returns later this year ahead of Christmas. The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train is scheduled for stops in Clinton, Davenport, Muscatine, Ottumwa, and Mason City, among other smaller communities, from November 26th through December 8th, according to KCRG-TV.