Iowa Radio News

MITCHELLVILLE – The new city administrator in Mitchellville has been placed on administrative leave following the vote of the community’s city council. KCCI-TV reports Gary Brown claims the move was made as retribution for his efforts in addressing issues with city employees. This comes after a city employee was placed on leave for alleged violation of policies. Brown told KCCI the move has split the town. CEDAR FALLS – ROTC programs at two Iowa campuses are closing. KGAN-TV reports that the University of Northern Iowa, University of Dubuque, and Buena Vista University are impacted by the downsizing of the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. A release by the U.S. Army says those programs, as well as several other nationwide, are being reorganized due to a 12% reduction in civilian workforce. IOWA – Farmers had just under five days suitable for fieldwork to during the week ending July 6th, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. Topsoil moisture condition rated one percent very short, 10 percent short, 73 percent adequate and 16 percent surplus. Corn silking reached 15 percent, matching last year, but 2 days ahead of the five-year average. A few reports of corn reaching the dough stage were received, with crop condition rating 62 percent good and 24 percent excellent.

DES MOINES – One person is dead following a car crash and subsequent shooting in Des Moines on Saturday. The Des Moines Register reports a hit-and-run collision was reported and the at-fault driver fled the scene on foot. Police say two other people involved in the crash went to search for the 30-year-old man, and found him with a baseball bat 45 minutes after the collision. A 21-year-old man shot the other with the bat, claiming it was raised for a possible attack. The Des Moines Police Department is investigating. FOREST CITY – One person died in a three-vehicle crash in Winnebago County Saturday afternoon. The Iowa State Patrol reports two Harley Davidson motorcycles were traveling along Highway 9 when a Buick Encore crossed the center line. The SUV operated by 95-year-old LeRoy Weaver of Buffalo Center sideswiped one of the motorcycles and collided head-on with another. One of the operators, 21-year-old David Raak of Spirit Lake, was killed in the crash. Also injured were 64-year-old Daniel Raak and 21-year-old Kayla Hudleson. AMES – A study released by Iowa State University finds that small towns with declining populations aren’t only losing grocery stores, schools, and day care facilities. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports that many residents living away from large population centers are losing access to nearby legal representation. The study conducted by two future law students and a professor at ISU worked to find how many private-practice attorneys are located in each county. The research showed communities in Lee County only have 30 lawyers for their population, nearly half of what they may actually need for a wide range of legal needs.

MAQUOKETA – One person died and other was injured in a two vehicle crash near Maquoketa. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser crossed the center line on Hurtsville Road and collided with a 2024 Nissan Pathfinder. Both drivers were not identified but one was killed in the collision and other injured. WEST LIBERTY – The family of a West Liberty resident claims the former high school soccer player has bene detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers during a routine check-in. KCRG-TV reports 20-year-old Pascual Leonardo Pedro is among the 451 arrests made by ICE in Iowa since President Donald Trump was inaugurated. His family told the TV station they don’t know why he was detained. Pascual moved to the United States in 2018 and was detained during a routine check in based on instructions he received upon entering the country.IOWA – Swimming is not recommended at 12 total beaches run by the Iowa DNR. Weekly testing showed excessive Algal toxin at Green Valley Beach and high E Coli levels at Backbone, Beeds, Blue Lake, Denison, Lake Darling, Lake Manawa, McIntosh Woods, Nine Eagles, North Twin Lake West, Pine Lake South, and Prairie Rose beaches.

DES MOINES – President Donald Trump kicked off his series of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of America at the Iowa State Fairgrounds on Thursday. The Des Moines Register reports that Trump highlighted the reconciliation bill passed by Congress as part of his speech. Trump will sign the bill today that extends 2017 tax cuts but also makes spending cuts to Medicaid and SNAP. WEBSTER CITY – Two people found dead in a Webster City home earlier this week have been identified. WHO-13 reports 30-year-old Ashley Harbert and 28-year-old Ryan Myers were discovered after what Webster City Police are calling an isolated incident. The Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner has not released autopsy results to investigators. KOSSUTH COUNTY – A Kossuth County man died in what the county sheriff’s office is calling a fireworks accident. KTIV reports 33-year-old Patrick Prentice was found by first responders unconscious with several injuries following a 911 call on Tuesday. The Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office says he held a launcher tube while lighting fireworks.

DES MOINES – President Donald Trump will be in Iowa today for a speech to kick off a year long celebration for the 250th anniversary of the United States. He will speak at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, his first visit to the state since 2024. Several state politicians, including Governor Kim Reynolds, will be in attendance. DES MOINES – Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird will run again for her current role, according to the Des Moines Register. She will not join the field of Republicans running for governor in the upcoming June primary. Bird won a close race with longtime Democratic Attorney General Tom Miller in 2022. CHICAGO – Iowa City native Tim Dwight was inducted into the NFHS National High School Hall of Fame in Chicago this week. Dwight led City High to its first state football championship in 1993 by scoring four touchdowns in the state final. He set a state record with 43 touchdowns as a senior. Tim also remains the state’s only able-bodied 12-time champion in Iowa boys track and field history. Dwight was named Gatorade Player of the Year once in football and three times in track and field. Tim began to attract national attention at the University of Iowa, where he was a wide receiver and kick returner for Coach Hayden Fry, earning consensus first-team All-American in 1997 and followed that with 10 years in the NFL.