Iowa Radio News

IOWA (IRN) – Former President Donald Trump is seeing his support erode as campaigning begins to heat up ahead of Iowa’s 2024 presidential caucuses, a new Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll shows. Trump, who launched a third White House bid late last year, has seen his favorability numbers in the first-in-the-nation caucus state steadily decline among Republicans since they peaked in September 2021. And the percentage of Iowa Republicans who say they would “definitely” vote for him if he were the nominee in 2024 has plummeted by more than 20 percentage points since June 2021. PERRY, IA (IRN) – Two teenagers are dead and another is hurt after a crash near Perry Thursday. The three teenagers were from Jamaica, Iowa, and were in a car traveling east on Iowa Highway 141 when the vehicle crossed the center line and hit a truck traveling west. The sheriff’s office believes the crash was related to the snow-covered roads in the area. The crash victims have been identified as three siblings. Daisy and Walter Fuentes Gavidia died in the crash. Their sister, Edlyn is in the intensive care unit. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – State Auditor Rob Sand is calling out Iowa GOP lawmakers over a proposed bill he said would undermine his office’s ability to provide independent audits and allow entities to keep documents hidden that could reveal corruption and fraud. Sand says the bill would put Iowa at risk of losing hundreds of millions in federal funding because it conflicts with auditing standards. Sand says the bill is “pro-corruption.” MARION, IA (IRN) – Two Linn-Mar school buses collided Thursday afternoon. There are reports of three students with minor injuries, as well as a bus driver injured in the incident. NEVADA, IA (IRN) – Former UN ambassador and candidate for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, Nikki Haley, held a town hall event in Nevada, Iowa yesterday. Haley advocated for ‘school choice’ policies nationwide, praising Gov. Kim Reynolds for Iowa’s new school choice law. Haley said she wants to bring more unity to the country, focusing on patriotism.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Des Moines police are investigating after a body was found in the Des Moines River near Wells Fargo Arena last night. Police say there are no obvious signs of foul play. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa House lawmakers have passed a bill banning instruction related to gender identity or sexual orientation from kindergarten through sixth grade. The bill would also ban any material, test, activity, announcement, or promotion of gender identity or sexual orientation. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – On Wednesday, Iowa House Republicans introduced a new bill to keep taxpayers from covering the cost of settling lawsuits against the University of Iowa’s (UI) Athletics Department. The State Board of Appeals approved a $4.2 million settlement earlier this week over a racial discrimination lawsuit against UI football. The bill would make the university reimburse the state for payouts on settlements regarding an athletic department employee. It will also be retroactive if it passes, meaning UI would have to pay for the $4.2 million settlement. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Governor Kim Reynolds has chosen a new leader for the Iowa Department of Education – a native Iowan who’s spent his career advocating for ‘school choice’ in other states. Chad Aldis, a Camanche native, was named as the next director of the Iowa Department of Education on Wednesday. Aldis will replace Dr. Ann Lebo, who announced her resignation last month. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – The comedian Will Ferrell was seen wandering around Iowa City Wednesday. Iowa City Schools posted a picture of Ferrell at City High, along with Little Hawk alum Harper Steele. Steele and Ferrell have been working together since their Saturday Night Live days. There are rumors that the two are shooting a road trip documentary.

MARION, IA (IRN) – A Marion teen is facing charges after allegedly beating up his girlfriend so severely that he asked a friend to dispose of the body when he thought she had died. Trevor Dean is charged with willful injury resulting in serious injury. In a criminal complaint, officials said Dean mistakenly believed his girlfriend was cheating on him, so he invited her to his apartment under the guise of having a “surprise” to give her. When his girlfriend arrived, Dean reportedly began punching her in the face and the body, breaking her teeth, nose, and orbital bone. Dean recorded the aftermath, showing the woman on the floor, unconscious and gasping for air. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Senate passed a bill that would ban gender-affirming care for minors and a bill that would restrict bathroom use for transgender people. One bill would ban ‘gender transition procedures,’ including puberty blockers, hormone therapies, and other related surgeries for Iowans under the age of 18. Republicans argue they are protecting kids, while Democrats say the measure could be dangerous. Another bill passed would restrict bathroom use for transgender people. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – In a 34-15 vote, the Iowa Senate voted to pass Gov. Kim Reynolds’ 1,500-page proposal to restructure Iowa’s government on March 7. This bill would make Iowa’s government smaller, reducing the number of state agencies from 37 to 16. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Hawkeye fans are demanding that Iowa Athletic Director Gary Barta be fired. This comes as the University of Iowa and the state reached a $4 million settlement over a racial discrimination lawsuit. Barta has been involved in four discrimination lawsuits in the last nine years, dishing out more than $11 million in settlements. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – MidAmerican Energy is now the first utility in Iowa to introduce all-electric bucket trucks. The energy company is rolling out three all-electric utility bucket trucks in the first step toward electrifying its heavy-duty service fleet. The all-electric trucks can drive up to 135 miles on a full charge and will operate hydraulic equipment for a full day’s range of work.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Firefighters in Cedar Rapids responded to a garage fire early this morning. Fire crews said the two adults and four children living in the home were able to make it out safely. The fire extended from the garage to the home. Officials said the garage is a total loss and there was major damage done to the house. The cause of the fire is under investigation. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A $4 million settlement has been reached in a racial discrimination lawsuit against the University of Iowa football program. But some of that money is to be paid by residents of Iowa. The settlement has Iowa taxpayers paying about $2 million, something State Auditor Rob Sand is strongly opposed to. Sand says this is the fourth discrimination lawsuit filed against Iowa’s Athletic Department in less than nine years – all under Gary Barta’s leadership. He argues taxpayers should not be on the hook for this mistake. ALLAMAKEE COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A 58-year-old man from Postville was driving a semi-tractor and trailer when the vehicle entered a ditch and tipped onto its side in Allamakee County. The trailer was carrying roughly 4,000 chickens, many of which were killed or severely injured. The driver wasn’t injured. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Public transportation in Iowa City could soon become a more convenient option for all residents. City staff have continued their conversation on the possibility of a city-wide zero-fare transit system, and are considering funding options. OSKALOOSA, IA (IRN) – A historic building in Oskaloosa is finding new life. The outside of the old post office will remain almost the same while the building will be turned into a sit-down style restaurant — with the top floor becoming a private area for special events. The basement will become an open bar.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – The University of Iowa has agreed to a $4.2 million settlement in the racial discrimination lawsuit against the football team. Several Black players that played at Iowa accused the football program including head coach Kirk Ferentz, his son and assistant coach Brian Ferentz, former strength coach Chris Doyle and athletic director Gary Barta of having a racially hostile environment towards Black players. Nearly half, around $2 million, of the settlement is set to be taken from the state’s general fund. MUSCATINE, IA (IRN) – The Muscatine Police Department was called on Friday to Discovery Park for reports of a body found within the park boundaries. When police arrived, they found the body of a dead man. They are investigating. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Over a thousand Iowans gathered at the Iowa Statehouse on Sunday, rallying in opposition to anti-LGBTQ legislation that made it through the first Funnel Week, meaning they are still alive this session. More than a dozen organizations helped put the rally together, including One Iowa Action, Iowa Safe Schools, Interfaith Alliance of Iowa and ACLU of Iowa. MINNEAPOLIS, MN (IRN) – Caitlin Clark had 30 points, 17 assists and 10 rebounds in her 10th career triple-double for the Iowa Hawkeyes, who built a 37 point halftime lead and beat Ohio State 105-72 on Sunday to win the Big Ten Tournament for the second straight year. Monika Czinano scored 26 points on 11-for-12 shooting for the No. 7 Hawkeyes (26-6), who entered the conversation about a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Several members of Johnston’s cheerleading team are going home feeling like winners this week after their Sparkles Cheer squad had the chance to cheer at the Iowa Girls Basketball State Tournament. This year, the Sparkles Cheer squad is made up of 11 cheerleaders with special needs from Johnston High School.