Iowa Radio News

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Supreme Court denied an appeal from Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds to dismiss a lawsuit claiming her office systematically ignored Iowa’s Open Records law and hid public information during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Iowa Freedom of Information Council, along with other groups sued the Governor’s Office in December 2021, citing several records requests that went unanswered regarding Iowa’s COVID-19 response. In some cases, requests went unanswered for 18 months. The lawsuit seeks an order for the Governor’s Office to comply with Iowa’s Open Records law as well as court costs and attorneys fees. JOHNSTON, IA (IRN) – Urbandale and Johnston police are investigating a Thursday night shooting in Johnston. The shooting took place inside the Hilton Garden Inn in Johnston. Police believe the suspect and victim knew each other. The victim was hospitalized with serious injuries, and the suspect is in custody. MARSHALL COUNTY, IA (IRN) – One person was seriously burned in a large farm building fire that quickly spread to surrounding fields in Haverhill in Marshall County Thursday afternoon. Local farmers helped battle the blaze by using tractors and tillage equipment to create a fire break to slow down the spread of the flames. DES MOINES, IA (IRN)) – Iowa lawmakers are moving forward with a bill that would allow guns on school property. The House approved the Republican-led effort Wednesday. The bill, House File 654, would allow Iowans to keep their guns on school grounds as long as the weapons are locked up in their vehicles. It would also establish firearm safety courses for seventh through 12th graders. IOWA (IRN) – Our stretch of 80-degree days are coming to an end. Since Tuesday we have seen the 80s and Friday will be our last day for now. Expect the dry and windy conditions to be with us on Friday keeping the fire danger high. A storm system is approaching from the west. Showers and storms will be possible on Saturday, lingering into Sunday. There may be a bit of snow mixed with the rain at times on Sunday as colder air moves in.

NORWALK, IA (IRN) – The Norwalk woman charged with the death of her newborn baby boy wants her $1 million bond lowered. Megan Staude’s lawyer said she is not a danger to the public or a flight risk. Staude and her father Rodney Staude are both charged with first-degree murder in her newborn’s death. They have both pleaded not guilty. Police say 25-year-old Megan Staude gave birth to the baby boy inside a rundown house and left him in a box without care, then placed his body in a ditch. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa House Republican lawmakers are moving forward with a bill to require NRA gun safety classes before Iowa students can graduate. It also outlines legal firearm carry access on school grounds. Educational leaders are opposed, saying it will make schools less safe. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Months after Iowa Democrats lost their first-in-the-nation status in the presidential nominating process, Iowa House Republicans are now pushing for more changes. The two major changes proposed by Iowa House Republicans would require in-person caucus participation and voters to register with their party 70 days before the caucus. Iowa Democrats have proposed a vote-by-mail process instead of the traditional in-person structure. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The American Society of Civil Engineers graded Iowa’s infrastructure a “C.” About 25% of the state’s roads are considered poor or mediocre. The state’s bridges got a “D plus.” Iowa leads the nation in the number of structurally deficient bridges.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A federal drug investigation in Des Moines led to a high-speed chase in a residential neighborhood and ended with a violent crash on the south side on Tuesday. Police say no bystanders were hurt, and a ‘significant’ amount of drugs are now off the street. LINN COUNTY, IA (IRN) – One person was injured in rural Linn County when a semi-truck rear-ended a tractor. The tractor rolled, landing on its top on the roadway. The driver of the tractor was transported to a nearby hospital for what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the semi was not injured but was cited for Use of an Electronic Communications Device While Driving and Following too Close. WEST DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A 10-year-old girl is being hailed a hero after she got her younger sister out safely from their burning West Des Moines home on Tuesday. Roselin Castro’s mother wasn’t home at the time because she was dropping off two younger children at daycare, and her father was at work. Fire officials praised the 10-year-old for knowing what to do. IOWA (IRN) – A Red Flag warning goes into effect this afternoon for much of Central and Northern Iowa. Burning is not recommended, as humidity will be low, and we can expect gusty winds.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowans are being warned to avoid starting outdoor fires this week, or accidentally setting them, because they can easily spread due to the warm and windy conditions. The National Weather Service reports that Iowa is at very high fire danger risk Tuesday and Wednesday when much of the state will see highs around 80 degrees. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Today Iowa Supreme Court Justices will hear oral arguments on whether or not to lift the permanent injunction on Iowa’s “fetal heartbeat” law. The law would ban abortions once cardiac activity is detected. The law is on pause after the state’s old Supreme Court ruled against it in 2019. Following the overturn of Roe v Wade, Iowa’s highest court ruled the right to an abortion is not protected under the Iowa constitution. That ruling paved the way for Governor Reynolds’ request asking the judges to reinstate the nearly six-week abortion ban. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Minors in Iowa would have to get permission from their parents to create social media accounts under a proposed bill at the Iowa Statehouse. The original version of the bill banned Iowans under the age of 18 from creating social media accounts. Republican lawmakers amended the bill to include parental consent after criticism from large tech companies and parents. IOWA (IRN) – A Republican presidential candidate is returning to Iowa this week. Nikki Haley was in Sioux City Monday, and Tuesday she’ll visit Denison, Storm Lake, and Fort Dodge. Wednesday, Haley will be in Des Moines. She previously served as governor of South Carolina and the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. FORT DODGE, IA (IRN) – The DOT is considering using a safer type of intersection across the state. It’s called a Reduced Conflict Intersection. The first one will be installed on Highway 20 near Fort Dodge. The DOT hopes Iowans get used to it, as it has worked well in Minnesota for years.

JOHNSON COUNTY, IA (IRN) – An 18-year-old from North Liberty is dead and another hospitalized after an early morning crash early Saturday in rural Johnson County. Authorities say 18-year-olds Trevor Burrows and Jacob Cohen were traveling in a Jeep Wrangler when they went into the ditch, rolled and were both thrown from the Jeep. Investigators say neither were wearing seat belts. Burrows was pronounced dead at the scene. Cohen was rushed to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for treatment. ANKENY, IA (IRN) – One person is dead after a car crashed into an Ankeny home early Saturday morning. First responders found the car in the basement of the home. It was fully engulfed in flames when they arrived. Residents of the home escaped uninjured, but the driver of the car died on scene. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A man is in Polk County Jail on charges of attempted murder. Des Moines police said 34-year-old Deluan Jackson stabbed a woman. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Attorney General’s Office under Republican Brenna Bird has paused its practice of paying for emergency contraception and abortions for victims of sexual assault, a move that drew criticism from some victim advocates. The ruling disproportionately impacts poorer women who can’t afford the treatment. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – The nicest week of 2023 from a weather standpoint has arrived. Plan on a mix of sun and clouds today as a very weak wave of low pressure comes through. An isolated spot or two over the far west could feasibly get a sprinkle, but otherwise, no rain is expected. Look for highs generally in the 70’s and lower 80’s with comfortably low humidity levels.