Iowa Radio News

CEDAR COUNTY, IA (IRN) – The Iowa State Patrol reports at least one person is dead after a semi vs. train crash in Cedar County on Friday afternoon. The semi was crossing the railroad tracks when it was hit on the driver’s side of the cab by the train. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A lawsuit seeking class-action status has been filed against Governor Kim Reynolds and the State of Iowa over her decision to terminate participation in federal COVID-19 pandemic relief programs that provided additional unemployment benefits to Iowans. The lawsuit says Reynolds deprived Iowans “of life-sustaining benefits to which they were otherwise entitled.” Those benefits were part of the CARES Act passed in March 2020. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – A report from the National Bureau of Economic Research says Iowa is below average at retaining college graduates. 42 other states are better at retaining them. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – While in Iowa on Thursday, Republican presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy voiced support for changing the overall U.S. voting age to 25, unless younger Americans fulfill at least six months of service in the military or as a first responder, or pass the same citizenship test administered to those seeking to become naturalized citizens.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (IRN) – In a split decision Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court backed a California law that impacts pork production in Iowa and across the country. Proposition 12 requires pork sold in California to come from farms where sows are given at least 24 sq. ft. of space with the ability to lie down and turn around, much different than the commonly used gestation crates California voters describe as animal cruelty. Iowa pork producers object. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Supreme Court is reversing course on a ruling it made six years ago, now saying Iowans can’t just file a lawsuit if they think their constitutional rights were violated by the state. Now those cases have to go through the state legislature first. Iowa’s highest court is currently made up of seven justices, all appointed by Republican governors. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – On Thursday, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a plan to allow the sale of raw milk in Iowa into law. Raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurized. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, raw milk can contain bacteria that cause illnesses. AMES, IA (IRN) – If you want to attend one of Iowa’s public universities, prepare to pay up. The Iowa Board of Regents is planning to raise tuition by 3.5 percent in the 2023-2024 academic year.

OMAHA, NE (IRN) – The Omaha division of the Drug Enforcement Administration has arrested 29 people in Iowa in the last year with connections to two drug cartels as part of its campaign “Operation Last Mile.” So far, the DEA’s Omaha office made 87 arrests and seized 60 firearms across its five-state region with links to the Jalisco and Sinaloa cartels. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – A child was shot last night in Cedar Rapids. Police say the victim is in the hospital in critical condition. There have been no arrests. DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – A Davenport man has been arrested after police say he harassed a woman through social media. Kenneth Wade Burroughs, 62, was arrested Tuesday on an extortion charge and five sex offender registry violations. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – A federal jury convicted a Cedar Rapids man on Tuesday of seven charges related to the 2021 U.S. Capitol insurrection. The jury in Washington found Leo Kelly, 37, guilty of charges that included obstructing an official proceeding, entering a restricted building and disorderly conduct. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – University of Iowa basketball fans in central Iowa won’t have far to drive to see the Hawkeyes basketball teams play next season. The university on Wednesday announced a women’s and men’s doubleheader on Saturday, Dec. 16, at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. The women will face Cleveland State, and the men will play Florida A&M.

SIDNEY, IA (IRN) – A 26-year-old man has been charged with First Degree Murder and Attempted Murder for allegedly stabbing two men and killing one of them in the small western Iowa town of Sidney last month. The charges were filed against Mark Dupre on Tuesday. He was already in police custody on drug charges linked to the stabbing investigation. WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – A man was stabbed in Waterloo on Monday. According to police, a father went to a residence to confront two suspects he claims stole an iPhone from his teenage son. He was then stabbed and hit with a wooden object. Police have not made any arrests. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Des Moines Police are investigating after a body was discovered Tuesday morning in the Beaverdale neighborhood. A resident reported finding someone deceased in a yard. There were no obvious signs of anything criminal or traumatic injuries to the body. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd will headline RAGBRAI this year. Catch Des Moines and RAGBRAI made the announcement Tuesday. The band will perform on July 26 in Des Moines. The concert is free to attend, but VIP options are available.

MUSCATINE COUNTY, IA (IRN) – The National Weather Service has confirmed a tornado in Muscatine County during Sunday’s storms. The NWS said the EF1 tornado developed just before 6 p.m. north-northwest of West Liberty and tracked across the far northeast part of town before crossing over Highway 6 between West Liberty and Atalissa. It diminished shortly after, having lasted for about six minutes. LOUISA COUNTY, IA (IRN) – Three people are dead and two injured after an accident near Columbus Junction yesterday. A 2006 Toyota Rav4 was traveling eastbound on Highway 92 and attempted to pass a semi. A 2011 Chevy Silverado was traveling westbound and struck the Toyota as it attempted to pass. Both vehicles came to a halt in a field north of the roadway. SIOUX CITY, IA (IRN) – Two Sioux City women accused of stealing from a local Scheels while also setting off an explosive are pleading guilty. Court documents state Claudette Loera has pleaded guilty to her charges and has been sentenced to prison. Jessica Katz is also pleading guilty but has yet to be sentenced. The women gathered up items and then set off the explosive device to provide a distraction while they left the store without paying. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Student-athletes from the University of Iowa and Iowa State University are under investigation by a state agency for possible NCAA rules violations. The athletes are under investigation for alleged sports wagering. They are from several sports, including football, wrestling, track and field, basketball, and baseball. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Des Moines police say a 2-year-old boy is safe thanks to a neighbor who caught him after he fell from a second-story window Monday. Kyrie Jones was walking her dog when she noticed the toddler hanging out the window. The child ended up losing his grip and falling. Jones, who is 33 weeks pregnant, caught him just before he hit the concrete.