Iowa Radio News

LOUISA COUNTY – Organizers of a camp in which 88 children were recently removed claim there were nobody harmed on the property. KCCI-TV reports law enforcement is investigating possible human trafficking. The church minister’s son claims no children were in danger at the time of the raid last week led by the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office. IOWA – A recent study shows tariff costs for Iowa’s importers increased by 300% from year-to-year. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports that the data from a non-profit advocacy group called Farmers for Free Trade claims the increase represented a $68 million increase in April of 2025 from the previous survey. The products mainly impacted included aluminum, machinery, insecticide, and engines. IOWA – Uncomfortable and potentially dangerous summer heat is set to return to the state this weekend. According to the National Weather Service, daytime highs will climb into the mid-90s starting Friday and continue through Monday evening. Overnight lows will only drop into the mid-to-upper 70s, providing little relief. Heat index values are expected to top 100 degrees in the afternoon and early evening hours during the four-day heat spell, with the hottest two days expected this Saturday and Sunday. An excessive heat watch is in place for those two days for all of Iowa.

DES MOINES – There have been enough signatures collected among Iowa House members to call for a special session to override a veto of Governor Kim Reynolds. KCCI-TV reports 70 signatures have been collected, surpassing the two-thirds required. Reynolds vetoed House File 639, which placed restrictions on the types of projects that could use eminent domain. The goal was to curb an effort to build a privately-owned carbon pipeline. At least two-thirds of the Iowa Senate will need to agree to convene a special session about the topic.FORT DODGE – A teenager reported missing on Monday was found dead near Fort Dodge this week. WHO-13 reports 16-year-old Oliver Brockbank was considered a runaway after he was last seen at his residence on Sunday. The Fort Dodge Police Department reported that search teams found Brockbank in a body of water. IOWA – The former State of Iowa librarian has received probation after sending inappropriate images to an undercover police officer. The Des Moines Register reports 55-year-old Michael Scott of Clive was arrested in November for using an app to send photos and videos to what he believed to be a 14-year-old boy, but was actually a sheriff’s deputy in Florida. Scott plead guilty to two charges of disseminating obscene material to minors. He worked for the state’s library office before losing that job following the arrest. IOWA – Heat index values will reach 100 degrees or higher most areas from Friday through Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. The hottest day looks like it will be Saturday. There will be little relief from heat overnight, with lows only falling into the mid 70s.

LOUISA COUNTY – Eighty-eight children were removed from a rehabilitation and camp near Fredonia and in Columbus Junction, according to the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office. KCII Radio reports that on June 12th and 13th, a safeguard child protective custody operation and search warrants were executed at two locations – the Kingdom Ministry of Rehabilitation and the Shekinah Glory Camp. The operation was conducted due to reports of child abuse and endangerment. The collaborating agencies removed 88 children, who were attendees. DES MOINES – A Des Moines man was sentenced to 50 years in prison for child pornography charges. The Des Moines Register reports 44-year-old Filipe DeJesus Torres Villasenor was arrested last November after Des Moines police received details that the man had at least 20 videos on his phone depicted sexual abuse. He was sentenced Monday after entering an Alford plea to the 20 counts. He had requested a suspended sentence, but received 50 years, short of the 65 recommended by the Polk County Attorney’s Office. IOWA – Farmers had 5.5 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 15, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Damaging hail and wind was reported in parts of northern Iowa, which also received the most significant rainfall during the week. Field activities included cutting hay, side dressing and spraying crops. Topsoil moisture condition rated 5 percent very short, 22 percent short, 70 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus. At 97 percent, nearly all of Iowa’s corn crop has emerged, ahead of last year’s pace but matching the 5-year average. Corn condition rated 2 percent poor, 14 percent fair, 63 percent good and 21 percent excellent.

MINNESOTA – A Minnesota state senator and his wife who were attacked as part of an assassination attempt over the weekend have deep Iowa ties. KCCT-V reports State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette spent several years in central Iowa. John co-founded the West Des Moines Democrats organization, while Yvette worked at Star 102.5 five for 13 years. Both were shot in an attack allegedly organized by 57-year-old Vance Boelter, who works for a security company. He’s accused of killing Minnesota Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark over the weekend. DES MOINES – An estimated crowd of 7,000 gathered at the Iowa State Capitol and hundreds of others participated in rallies at 35 total events in Iowa as part of protests against President Donald Trump and his administration. Deemed “No Kings Day,” the Des Moines Register reports dozens of political groups in Iowa helped organize the event over concerns that the current leadership in the White House is violating the U.S. Constitution, especially in matters related to immigration. Trump responded to questions earlier this week, claiming the protests across the country were unnecessary and insisting that his administration is following the law. IOWA – An active weather pattern continues early this week for many as more rounds of thunderstorms could bring severe weather. The National Weather Service has issued a slight risk primarily in northwest Iowa today and over other portions of the state on Tuesday. Many locations, especially along and north of Highway 20, have had multiple severe thunderstorm warnings since late last week. However, up to 80% of the state now rates as abnormally dry on the latest U.S. Drought Monitor. Heavy rain is possible across many Iowa communities through Wednesday.

CEDAR RAPIDS – A motorcyclist led police on speeds nearing 177 MPH during a chase on Wednesday. KCRG-TV reports police attempted to pull over a pickup and a motorcycle on Highway 100 after witnesses claim the vehicles were performing stunts on the road. The driver of the truck stopped, but the motorcycle kept going. An Iowa State Patrol airplane helped other officers track down Kyle Ward, who at one point, was allegedly traveling 177 MPH. TAMA – Two people are in the custody of federal immigration authorities following drug-related arrests in Tama. KCCI-TV reports the Tama Police Department responded to a noise complaint and received a warrant after finding drugs in a yard. Three suspects were arrested, and two were taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers — 23-year-old Jesus Abarca-Gomez and 22-year-old Jose Delmar Hernandez-Gomez.