Iowa Radio News

ELDORA, IA (IRN) – An Iowa man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for causing a 2020 crash that killed three people by driving drunk and the wrong way on a rural highway. 27-year-old Spencer Bultman, of Hampton, was sentenced Tuesday. Bultman was drunk and driving his pickup the wrong way in the westbound lanes of U.S. Highway 20 near Alden when he crashed into a sport utility vehicle, killing a couple and their 10-year-old son. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A car crash in Des Moines has resulted in multiple injuries Tuesday. The Des Moines Police Department and Des Moines Fire Department responded to the scene of a crash on the MLK river bridge near Fleur Drive. Three people were sent to the hospital. The car rode the guardrail before flipping and falling off. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Governor Kim Reynolds has broken the record for most cash on hand reported for the campaign for Iowa governor. The Kim Reynolds for Iowa Committee announced that it raised nearly $3.8 million in 2021, and has almost $4.8 million in cash on hand – breaking the record for most cash on hand ever reported by an Iowa statewide campaign during the Branstad administration. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – The upcoming home game of the Iowa women’s basketball game against Indiana has been postponed. The game was originally scheduled for Sunday. The game has been postponed due to the Indiana program’s COVID-19 protocols. IOWA (IRN) – A strong Arctic front will send temperatures crashing into Wednesday with dangerous wind chills returning, especially Wednesday night into Thursday morning. Wednesday behind the front, temperatures will struggle to reach double digits with a wind chill sitting below zero all day long, in the -5 to -15 range.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Restaurant Association says more than 1,800 restaurants qualified for money from Congress’ Restaurant Revitalization Fund, but got nothing. The fund was put in place to help restaurants hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. CORALVILLE, Iowa (KCRG) – Two correctional officers at the Iowa Medical and Classification Center in Coralville were assaulted by an inmate over the weekend. The first officer assaulted was taken via ambulance to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for his injuries. The second officer received minor injuries. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Des Moines Art Center has unveiled the city’s first Free Little Art Gallery, a miniature outdoor gallery where local artists can share small works of art with the community. The Free Little Art Gallery is located on the east side of the Des Moines Art Center near the pathway leading to Greenwood Park. People can leave something, take something, or both, as often as they wish. IOWA (IRN) – Temperatures will get above freezing today with highs generally in the low to mid 30s, but a strong Arctic front will send temperatures crashing this afternoon into tomorrow with dangerous wind chills returning. Temperatures will struggle to reach double digits with a wind chill sitting below zero all day long, in the -20 to -30 range. IOWA (IRN) – The Iowa State Cyclones men’s basketball team maintained its ranking at number 15 in the latest AP Top 25 poll, with the Iowa Hawkeyes sitting just outside the top 25.. The Gonzaga Bulldogs are the new #1 team in the country. They’re followed by Auburn, Arizona, Purdue and Baylor to round out the top five.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa House Study Bill 511 would change the ratio of staff to students in child care centers, increasing the number of kids allowed per employee. It would allow one worker to be able to watch eight 2-year-olds instead of six. It would also allow one worker to watch 10 3-year-olds instead of eight. Republicans say this bill would help more toddlers get spots in child care centers. But some teachers say it’s unrealistic and unsafe. WEST DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A good Samaritan suffered serious injuries in a crash in West Des Moines Sunday. A man was helping a semi-truck driver who broke down on Highway 5. One car slowed down, but another did not, slamming into the car, which then hit the pedestrian. His condition has not been released. CEDAR FALLS, IA (IRN) – The driver of a UTV sustained serious injuries Saturday night after they crashed into a pickup truck. The UTV had a snow plow attached to it, and the driver had been out plowing snow all day and was returning home. IOWA (IRN) – Governor Kim Reynolds introduced her new tax plan during the Condition of the State this week. She’s proposing a 4% flat tax rate. Reynolds’ office says this new tax plan will save taxpayers roughly $500 million in the first year alone. University of Iowa Professor David Cooper says this will be a tax break for some Iowans–the rich. Lower income Iowans will see their taxes go up. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Iowa Senate Minority leader Zach Wahls, Democrat from Iowa City, announced Sunday he has contracted COVID-19. In a statement, Sen. Wahls says he began showing symptoms on Friday but a rapid test came back negative. Wahls said he and his wife, Chloe Angyal, as of Sunday afternoon were already feeling better. He credits the short period of significant symptoms one being vaccinated and boosted.

GREENE COUNTY, IA (IRN) – One of the teenagers burned badly in a Greene County cabin fire has died. On Jan. 1, a cabin fire broke out and injured 15-year-old Harley McDonald and 14-year-old Lucas Oakes. Lucas and Harley were both taken to the Iowa City burn unit. Lucas was released on Jan. 8. 15-year-old Harley McDonald has died from his injuries. Investigators are still looking into the cause of the fire. IOWA (IRN) – Governor Kim Reynolds introduced her new tax plan during the Condition of the State this week. She’s proposing a 4% flat tax rate. Reynolds’ office says this new tax plan will save taxpayers roughly $500 million in the first year alone. University of Iowa Professor David Cooper says this will be a tax break for some Iowans–the rich. Lower income Iowans will see their taxes go up. PELLA, IA (IRN) – A fire destroyed a building housing a law firm in Pella early Saturday morning. The Pella Fire Department responded to the A.G. Law building just off the town square at 813 Washington Street around 2:45 a.m. No one was injured. STILLWATER, OK (IRN) – Lexi Donarski scored 23 points, and the No. 9 Iowa State women’s basketball team rolled past Oklahoma State 74-60. The Cyclones won their ninth straight game and remained the only undefeated team in league play.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – A Cedar Rapids man has been charged with attempted murder after stabbing his father early Friday morning. Officers found 65-year-old Jonathan Youngbear suffering from a life-threatening stab wound to his abdomen. Police said Youngbear and his son, 26-year-old Jared Youngbear were in a verbal altercation during which Jared stabbed his father. IOWA (IRN) – An Iowa State Patrol trooper was injured when his parked squad car was hit by a semi on Friday during the winter storm. The trooper was in the car assisting with another crash when his car was hit by the semi. The trooper suffered minor injuries. IOWA (IRN) – Millions of federal dollars are on the way to help fix some of Iowa’s structurally deficient bridges. It’s all part of a $27 billion investment from the bipartisan infrastructure plan. In Iowa, there are more than 4,500 bridges considered “structurally deficient.” The state will see a nearly $432 million investment over the course of five years. In Iowa’s Congressional delegation, Republican Senator Ernst, and Republican Representatives Feenstra, Hinson, and Miller-Meeks voted against the plan, while Republican Senator Grassley and Democratic Representative Axne voted in favor. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – The University of Iowa announced Friday a contract extension for head football coach Kirk Ferentz through the 2029 football season. Ferentz, who just completed his 23rd football season as the Hawkeyes’ head coach, is the longest-tenured active football coach in the country. The Hawkeyes won 10 games in 2021, the seventh time under Ferentz.