Iowa Radio News

DES MOINES – A rare stretch of winter warmth and heavy rain that fell across most of the state earlier this week may have prompted high nitrate levels in the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers. KCCI-TV reports the Central Iowa Water Works nitrate removal facility is up and running, which is unusual in January. But a stretch of above average temperatures has kept the ground from freezing, and rounds of melting snow and now heavy rain have increased run-off upstream. DAVENPORT – A property manager in Davenport has agreed to pay a settlement to the U.S. Department of Justice for a sexual harassment lawsuit. The Des Moines Register reports Kurt Williams with Gearhead Properties was accused of harassing female tenants, exposing himself, and requesting sex in exchange for reduced rent, and allegedly moved to remove those who didn’t welcome those advances. The settlement is for $325,000, and Williams is banned from managing residential rental properties. DES MOINES – The Iowa State Supreme Court ruled that officials can’t charge low income defendants for cases that were dismissed in court. WHO-13 reports the justices ruled in favor of Ronald Pagliai, who pleaded guilty to two charges and had two others dropped. However, he was required to pay court costs for all four counts. The case centered on defendants with court-appointed attorneys and low income.

DES MOINES – A man stabbed in Des Moines on Thursday morning has died. WHO-13 reports 25-year-old Peter Thach was found dead from multiple stab wounds by responding police. A man lying in front of the house was then arrested, as 25-year-old Lyhung Thach was charged with first degree murder. The two were cousins, according to officials. BAXTER – The former Chief of Police and City Clerk in Baxter have been arrested in connection with an investigation into the city’s finances by the Division of Criminal Investigation, the Iowa Auditor of State’s Office, and the Jasper County Attorney’s Office. Forty-eight-year-old William Daggett, the former Police Chief, faces a class C felony charge of theft in the first degree and a class D felony charge of felonious misconduct in office. Baxter’s former City Clerk, 29-year-old Katelyn Wilson, has been arrested on an aggravated misdemeanor charge of unauthorized computer access. DES MOINES – An issue that divided politicians beyond political parties may resurface in the 2026 Iowa Legislative Session. KCCI-TV reports new Republican Senate Majority Leader Mike Klimesh is working on a proposal related to property rights and eminent domain. A bill vetoed by Governor Kim Reynolds that passed both chambers near the end of the 2025 session divided members of the Republican party, with many criticizing Reynolds. Klimesh will propose a bill that widens the corridor pipeline companies can use.

DUBUQUE – The Dubuque Police Department has requested assistance from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation with an officer-involved shooting. On January 4th, a uniformed officer on routine patrol observed a physical fight in front of Odd Fellows Bar. As the officer came to a stop and exited his vehicle, the officer witnessed 28-year-old Jaiondrick Lovely shoot 29-year-old Cory Wilson Jr. The officer then fired his weapon at Lovely, who then ran into the bar. Both Lovely and Wilson were transported to nearby hospitals and pronounced dead. The officer involved has been placed on leave. DES MOINES – Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.5 percent in November – up from 3.3 percent one year ago but down from 3.7 percent in September. There is no October rate due to the government shutdown. The labor force participation rate was 67.5 percent in November. The U.S. unemployment rate rose to 4.6 percent in November. STORY COUNTY – Story County has agreed to pay a settlement in relation to a former deputy that accused the sheriff’s office of harassment and discrimination. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports Ashley Murry sued the Story County Sheriff’s Office and several deputies in Iowa District Court. She worked as a deputy for approximately 18 months, and claims she was the recipient of derogatory comments. The county will pay $75,000, which was discovered due to an open records request by the Iowa Capital Dispatch.

TAMA COUNTY – The remains of a missing man from Tama County were found in Arksansas. KCCI-TV reports 22-year-old Nicholas Collins was reported missing on December 29th after he stopped communicating with family and friends after Christmas. On New Year’s Day, police found his car abandoned at a trail head in Arkansas, more than 500 miles away from Tama County. Police announced that found his body near that area, but no foul play is suspected. MITCHELLVILLE – An Iowa community is seeking direction for itself after a wave of resignations among city staff and elected officials. WHO-13 reports that departures on the City Council to begin the new year has left Mitchellville with just two active councilmembers, which means they are unable to form a quorum. Several police officers, the public works superintendent, and other employees have all left. One of the councilmembers leaving cited the behavior of the newly elected Mayor Tony Jensen and another councilmember as to why she and others are leaving. BLACK HAWK COUNTY – A teenage victim has been identified in a fatal crash that occurred in Black Hawk County on Tuesday. KCRG_TV reports 15-year-old Ciara Crisman of Waterloo was pronounced dead at the scene, as she pulled her vehicle eastbound in front of a semi driving southbound. The semi driver was uninjured.

DEEP RIVER – The first fatal crash of 2026 reported to the Iowa Department of Transportation occurred on Monday. According to the Iowa State Patrol, a Ford Escape traveling near Deep River on Highway 85 left the roadway on a curve due to icy conditions, overturning several times. Kara Westhpal of Deep River was pronounced dead on the scene and was the lone occupant in the vehicle that rolled. CLAYTON COUNTY – A farm equipment accident resulted in the death of a northeast Iowa man just before the end of 2025. WHO-13 reports the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office indicates that a victim was working on a farm before he became entrapped in a piece of agricultural gear. The victim’s identity and further details about the cause remain unreleased to the public. DES MOINES— Governor Kim Reynolds signed an executive order establishing the Iowa Nuclear Energy Task Force to advise her, the General Assembly, and relevant state agencies on the development and advancement of nuclear energy technologies and infrastructure in the state. The governor has appointed Iowa native Dr. Mark Nutt, Director of Nuclear Energy Programs at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, to serve as chair of the task force which will include at least 11 members who represent utilities, power production companies, local government, academia, the Iowa Utilities Commission, and the General Assembly.