Iowa Radio News

IOWA (IRN) – With record hospitalizations and nearly 300 patients in ICUs, Iowa on Wednesday reported its largest one-day increase in reported deaths. At 10 a.m. Wednesday, the state was reporting 2,064 COVID-19-related deaths, an increase of 40 deaths since the state’s tally at 10 a.m. Tuesday. WASHINGTON, D.C. – The White House Coronavirus Task Force says the spread of COVID-19 cases in Iowa is exponential and unyielding. Iowa has the third highest case count in the country. The task force said Iowans should not gather with anyone outside of their household until the number of cases decreases, always wear a mask in public, and get a flu shot. IOWA (IRN) – Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, who is 87 years old, tweeted that he tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday. Grassley, as president pro tempore, is the most senior Republican in the chamber, and third in line for presidential succession. He says he’s feeling fine. WAYNE COUNTY, IA (IRN) – The Wayne County Public Health’s Facebook page has been taken down by Facebook. Shelley Bickel, administrator, says the page promoted wearing a mask and social distancing, and since many in the county don’t take the virus seriously, a community member likely complained. Facebook hasn’t responded. DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – A business in Dubuque is defying Governor Reynolds’ mask mandate. The owner of 7 Hills Brewing Company says that “Simon Says” should not now be “Science Says,” and the use of masks should be determined by the business owner. Police have issued three citations to the restaurant for not complying. The latest citation means a $750 fine and $85 in court costs.

IOWA (IRN) – Iowa has reached a grim milestone: More than 2,000 residents have died from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic. The state reached the total of 2,024 after reporting 33 additional deaths Tuesday. COVID-19 now ranks as the No. 3 cause of death in Iowa, behind heart disease and cancer. And that’s with no COVID-19 deaths until March and a little over six weeks left in 2020. Hospitalizations have tripled in the past month. IOWA (IRN) – Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley is in quarantine after being exposed to coronavirus. Grassley said he will continue his business for the people of Iowa virtually at home. IOWA (IRN) – Governor Reynolds signed a proclamation Monday night that requires everyone two years old and older to wear a mask in indoor areas open to the public where they will be within six feet of people not members of their household. The mandate will be effective until December 10. There is no penalty for not wearing a mask. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics leaders said on Monday that they are close to being in a dire position to treat the people infected by COVID-19. Health experts warned that if numbers didn’t start going down, there could be reductions in the number of elective surgeries. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Corrections said more two inmates have died in the past week, due to complications related to COVID-19 and other pre-existing medical conditions. Seven inmates have now died from coronavirus complications. IOWA (IRN) – The Central Iowa Metro League is asking both the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union and the Iowa High School Athletic Association to delay the start of the Winter sports season until January 4th for all schools statewide. The CIML is made up of 18 schools, most of whom have returned to virtual-only learning due to the worsening COVID-19 pandemic. Schools that don’t offer in-class instruction are ineligible to compete in extracurricular events. Most Des Moines schools were unable to compete in Fall sports due to the district starting the year with virtual only instruction.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – As COVID-19 continues to spread in Iowa, the state reported several new records for hospitalizations Monday. The Iowa Department of Public Health reported 2,335 new coronavirus cases and six additional deaths. As of 10 a.m., there have been 1,991 deaths statewide since the pandemic began. Hospitals are reporting staffing shortages, as many staff are sick or in quarantine. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – As hospitalizations surge, the Iowa Public Health Association is urging Gov. Kim Reynolds to issue a statewide mask mandate. Lina Tucker Reinders, the executive director of the Iow, says “this is a disaster.” Reinders adds the state’s surging hospitalizations should concern every Iowan. Nearly 1,300 Iowans are in the hospital. WEST DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A family of three is recovering from injuries after jumping from a window to escape an apartment fire Sunday morning. The 31-year-old mother and her two young children faced a life-or-death situation when a fire broke out in their apartment around 2 a.m. The three jumped out of their third-story window to escape the flames and had to be taken to the hospital because of injuries they sustained in the fall. All three are expected to survive. DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – A Dubuque firefighter is suing the city because of alleged sexual harassment on the job. Jami Boss cites a number of incidents, including being told by a lieutenant that she was only hired because she was a girl. Boss said male firefighters used the women’s restroom and sometimes walked in on her while she was in there. In one incident, a coworker allegedly shoved his hand down the back of her pants. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – As new members of the United States Congress gathered in Washington this week for orientation, one Iowa race has yet to be decided — which is why both Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Rita Hart are attending. In Iowa House District 2, Republican Miller-Meeks holds a 47 vote advantage over Democrat Hart. Hart’s campaign has asked for a recount in all 24 counties in that district.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Health officials said there are 204 hospitalizations from COVID-19 in Polk County. This is the highest number of hospitalizations in the county since the pandemic began. WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – A woman was shot and killed in Waterloo on Saturday morning, leading to the arrest of a suspect. She was 27. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Supporters of President Donald Trump gathered at the Iowa State Capitol on Saturday to express their concern over the results of the presidential election. Protesters marched in circles around the capitol building shouting chants like “stop the steal,” claiming President-elect Joe Biden’s campaign stole the election. There’s no evidence to back the claim. SCOTT COUNTY, IA (IRN) – Senator Chuck Grassley announced the passing of former Iowa U.S. senator Roger Jepsen. In a tweet Grassley said “Former senator Roger Jepsen passed away. He served Iowans well in the U.S. senate for one term. Barbara and I send our condolences to his family.”

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Supreme Court on Friday tossed out a murder conviction and ordered a new trial for a man accused of the gruesome 2017 stabbing death of his girlfriend. The state’s high court ordered a new trial for Gregory Michael Davis, 30, after finding his trial attorney’s failure to object to confusing jury instructions cost Davis a fair trial. Davis was convicted in 2018 of first-degree murder in the September 2017 death of 29-year-old Carrie Davis, whose body was found rolled in a blanket inside a trailer in Marion. She had been stabbed 26 times. IOWA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health reported a record high 5,065 more COVID-19 cases and 19 more COVID-19 related deaths as hospitalizations remain at record highs on Friday. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Ankeny has done what no other football team could for nearly a decade: beat Dowling at the UNI-Dome. In double overtime, Ankeny’s Arland Bruce IV picked off Dowling QB Jaxon Smolik in the endzone to win it for the Hawks, 31-24. The win breaks Dowling’s seven state championship winning streak. MINNEAPOLIS, MN (IRN) – Tyler Goodson rushed for a career-high 142 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries, and Iowa’s defense clamped down hard on Minnesota for a 35-7 drubbing on Friday night that gave the Hawkeyes possession of the Floyd of Rosedale trophy for the sixth season.