Iowa Radio News

CLIVE, IA (IRN) – A Clive man has been arrested for filming a child in a hotel bathroom. Police arrested William Davis on May 5 on sexual exploitation charges. Court documents show Davis set up a camera in the bathroom and then uploaded the images to the internet. Police say he also uploaded other explicit images of children onto various websites. Davis faces seven counts of sexual exploitation. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The victim who was critically injured in a shooting on Sunday morning has passed away from his injuries. Des Moines Police said the suspected shooter has been identified and detained. This is the city’s 9th homicide of 2023. GRINNELL, IA (IRN) – Grinnell experienced baseball-sized hail during a serious line of thunderstorms Sunday afternoon, which left some businesses with thousands of dollars in damage. Country Inn and Suites on Highway 146 experienced shattered windows, holes in its siding, and serious damage to several cars in its parking lot. Also, a semi-truck tipped over on I-80 because of high winds near Grinnell. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – With the core of a severe thunderstorm still nearly 20 miles away, a woman was struck by a bolt of lightning outside the Target in southwest Cedar Rapids Sunday. First responders arrived on the scene and found the woman was alert and breathing. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A legendary pitcher who spent time in Iowa’s minor leagues has died. Prior to making it into Major League Baseball, Vida Blue played for both the Burlington Bees and Iowa Oaks in 1970. The Oaks became the Iowa Cubs in 1982. Blue helped lead the Oakland A’s to 3 consecutive World Series titles in 1972, 1973 and 1974. Blue was 73.

AMES, IA (IRN) – A nurse practitioner charged with sexually abusing a teen is now connected to two more schools. Both Grand View University and Iowa Falls Alden Schools say Carl Markley performed sports physicals for their students. Ames police have arrested Carl Markley twice in the last week. Officers now say more than 70 tips have come in about him. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – On Monday, the Des Moines City Council will be taking up the results of a yearlong study on how to manage Court Avenue. The nighttime entertainment district has been a concern for years. Although crime has fallen, both businesses and the city want to have a way to move things forward. After meeting with over 100 community members, one idea stood out. That’s to hire a night mayor. A few years ago, downtown Iowa City adopted this model. LOUISVILLE, KY (IRN) – There will be distinct Iowa flair today at Churchill Downs for the 149th Kentucky Derby. Albaugh Family Stables, based in Des Moines, has an ownership stake in three of the field’s 20 horses, including one of the favorites — Angel of Empire, which as of Friday, had 5-1 odds. Ankeny billionaire Dennis Albaugh owns the stable that also has Jace’s Road and Cyclone Mischief in the derby. Jace’s Road has 37-1 odds, and Cyclone Mischief is 45-1. IOWA (IRN) – The risk of severe weather increases this weekend as the heat and humidity build across the Upper Midwest. The strong storm threat kicks off late Saturday evening as storms form along the leading edge of an advancing warm front. Large hail, gusty winds and heavy rain will be possible.

WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – A 9-month-old passed away from injuries they sustained after being attacked by a dog Thursday. The second victim, a 49-year-old woman, was flown to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics with serious injuries. The boxer-hound mix was a family pet and has been put down. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A Des Moines man is in the Polk County Jail after police say he tried to grab an officer’s gun following a chase and crash early Friday morning. Dylan Jerelle Pettyjohn, 31, faces multiple charges. The incident began when an officer attempted to pull Pettyjohn over for a registration violation. He fled and crashed into a stop sign, disabling his vehicle. Pettyjohn then ran from the crash scene and attempted to throw a handgun onto the roof of a building. The officer caught up with him and they fought, during which Pettyjohn attempted to take the officer’s gun before he was taken into custody. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – A former Iowa Board of Parole member says Iowa’s parole system is “broken and it’s dangerous.” Kathleen Kooiker, who is a retired magistrate judge, said board members voted to release inmates within minutes while she served. She also said former Board of Parole Chair Helen Miller didn’t review cases like her predecessors while collecting a salary of around $97,000. IOWA (IRN) – Iowa families may begin applying for education savings accounts on May 31 to have the state pay for their children’s private school. Gov. Kim Reynolds’ Students First Act allows families to apply for taxpayer funds to send their child to an accredited private school. Many private schools have already started raising tuition from 10-40%. DES MOINES, (IRN) – More than 30 bats were released by the Iowa Wildlife Center at Gray’s Lake Thursday evening. Big Brown Bats are the species that were released in front of dozens of people who came out to watch. This is the first time the Iowa Wildlife Center has had a public release since before COVID-19. The bats are insect eaters and will help protect people and gardens.

TAMA, IA (IRN) – An Iowa paper mill is closing after being in operation for more than 100 years. In a first-quarter earnings report released Tuesday, Graphic Packaging International said it will close its recycled paperboard mill in Tama in the second quarter of 2023. A filing with Iowa Workforce Development shows the company will lay off 85 workers, effective June 2. AMES, IA (IRN) – Ames Police have arrested nurse practitioner Carl Markley twice this week after months of investigating his possible sex crimes. Police now say more than 40 possible victims have contacted them since his initial arrest. Markley, 44, was first arrested Friday on charges of sexual exploitation of a minor. Markley had hidden cameras inside a clock and a pen and inappropriately touched a teenager while a hidden camera captured the act. Police arrested Markley again Monday on charges of pimping, prostitution, and human trafficking. CLAY COUNTY IA (IRN) – An Iowa judge says a state law allowing pipeline companies to survey property owners’ land without permission is unconstitutional, delivering a victory to landowners who’ve been battling against three proposed carbon capture pipeline projects. JASPER COUNTY, IA (IRN) – More than 100 mailboxes in rural Jasper County have a problem, and now homeowners might not have their mail delivered if it’s not fixed. The Colfax postmaster sent out notices that say mailboxes must be a certain height off the ground — 41 to 45 inches to the bottom of the box. And if not corrected, the post office might stop delivering mail after May 14. Some of the mailboxes that are in violation have been in place for decades. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Over a thousand third-graders took part in an health and fitness event at Kinnick Stadium on Wednesday. The event was put on by the Hy-Vee Kidsfit School Wellness Club. Students were active and learned different exercises and tips on how to incorporate healthy habits in their everyday lives. The students even got a surprise visit from Iowa Women’s basketball player Caitlin Clark.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Democratic Party is scrapping the traditional caucus structure that requires making a presidential pick in-person. Instead, Iowans would mail in a card to express their presidential preference, and the 2024 in-person democratic caucuses would focus solely on party business. AMES, IA (IRN) – An Ames nurse practitioner who is accused of sexually abusing young boys for a decade is the owner of several Ames businesses geared towards family entertainment. Carl Markley, 44, was arrested on Friday and charged with Sexual Exploitation of a minor after a first victim came forward against him. Ames and Gilbert public school districts both contracted Markley to provide pre-activity physical examinations. More victims are coming forward. FORT DODGE, IA (IRN) – A man is dead after a shooting in Fort Dodge Tuesday night. Fort Dodge police say a man in his 20s was shot and killed in front of the Community Health Center. The man was not associated with the health center. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) After hours of debate Tuesday, Iowa House lawmakers approved a plan that would make major changes to Iowa’s child labor laws. The plan passed in a 60-34 vote. Republicans say Senate File 542 would expand opportunities for Iowa teenagers. But Democrats argue it would put children in dangerous situations. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A country music legend will perform in Des Moines this summer. Willie Nelson & Family are booked for a June 27th show at the Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park. Nelson, who just turned 90, has enjoyed a seven-decade music career. He’s also racked up acting credits, published books, and launched cannabis companies.