Iowa Radio News

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health on Saturday reported another 835 positive coronavirus cases and 9 additional deaths. There have been 973 deaths since the pandemic began. GRUNDY COUNTY, IA (IRN) – The Iowa State Patrol is reporting a vehicle crash at 1:15 p.m. yesterday that resulted in the death of a 25-year-old from Cedar Falls. Raymond Berner was driving a 2003 Ford F150 west on Highway 20. He caught up to another vehicle in the right lane and made a lane change, but lost control on the left shoulder and over corrected. Berner was sent to the hospital and died. The over correction resulted in the pickup rolling multiple times. Berner wasn’t wearing a seatbelt. AMES, IA (IRN) – Another 75 students have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus as they moved back to campus at Iowa State University. The university is testing all students living in residence halls or on-campus housing as they move in before classes start Monday. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Education announced Friday that all school practices and games would be suspended for activities if education goes online. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Operation BBQ Relief, with the support of several Cedar Rapids area restaurants, will be providing hot meals to Cedar Rapids community members in need on Sunday. The plan is for 500 meals to be served.

IOWA (IRN) – As of 10:00 a.m. today, the Iowa Department of Public Health reports there have been 50,813 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since Iowa’s outbreak began. There have been 678 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, and ten additional deaths for a statewide death toll of 964. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – A 49-year-old man has been charged with the beating death of his 71-year-old mother in Cedar Rapids. George Deason is charged with first-degree murder and assault on a police officer. He reportedly threatened officers with what he told them was a handgun and resisted arrest. Officers charged George with robbery and assault among other charges and determined he caused life-threatening injuries to his mother Elsie in order to steal around $50. Deason’s mother died from her injuries. MARION, IA (IRN) – The Marion Fire Department said a family of eight had to be treated for carbon monoxide poisoning after they ran their vehicle in a partially closed garage in order to charge cell phones. The family went to the hospital. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign has sued two Democratic-leaning Iowa counties that are making it easy to vote by mail during the coronavirus pandemic, seeking to invalidate tens of thousands of voters’ absentee ballot applications. The Trump campaign, the Republican National Committee and other GOP groups filed the lawsuits Tuesday against elections officials in Linn and Johnson counties. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Vice President Mike Pence praised the White House’s support for farmers and law enforcement officers at a pair of events in the Des Moines area Thursday against the backdrop of rising coronavirus cases and devastating storm damage. The visit came as Iowa hit a grim new milestone in the pandemic, surpassing 50,000 positive cases, and as farmers grappled with millions of acres of crop damage. More than 200,000 Iowa customers remained without power after Monday’s storm.

IOWA (IRN) – As of 10 a.m. Thursday, the Iowa Department of Public Health reports 50,122 confirmed cases of COVID-19 statewide since Iowa’s outbreak began. There were 488 additional COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, and seven additional deaths for a statewide death toll of 954. POWESHIEK COUNTY, IA (IRN) – Two people suffered storm-related deaths in Poweshiek County due to Monday’s derecho. Poweshiek County Emergency Management confirmed that a 41-year-old woman died in Malcom after being struck by falling debris. A man in his 40s died in Brooklyn after being electrocuted by a downed powerline. The names of those killed are not being released at this time. IOWA (IRN) – Derecho recovery efforts continue Wednesday in many parts of Iowa after Monday’s powerful storm. As of Wednesday evening, nearly 98,000 MidAmerican Energy customers across Iowa were still without power. Alliant Energy reports more than 150,000 customers in the dark. Thousands of workers across the country have been asked to come to Iowa to help. IOWA (IRN) – Yields may be cut by as much as half where a derecho flattened crops as it swept through Iowa this week, according to Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig. No other Midwestern state along the storm’s 770-mile path suffered the level of wind and hail damage that struck an estimated 10 million acres across Iowa. That’s about a third of Iowa’s 30 million acres of crops. AVON, IA (IRN) – Roughly 150 residents in the unincorporated town of Avon Lake are still without power, water or sewage, and it could be a week before services are restored. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Following widespread damage in the Cedar Rapids area due to Monday’s storms, the Cedar Rapids Community School District has delayed the start of the school year to an unspecified date. All buildings in the district have some form of damage, including major roof damage at 16 buildings, and minor roof damage at 12 buildings. Most of the buildings that suffered major roof damage also suffered water and other building damage. Buildings are closed until further notice. Athletic practices are also canceled through the end of the week.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) -The Iowa Department of Public Health reports that 499 additional cases of COVID-19 were reported during the 24 hours prior to 10 a.m. Wednesday, bringing the state’s total since the pandemic began to 49,702. Twelve additional deaths had been reported since Tuesday morning’s total, increasing the overall death toll in the state to 949. OSKALOOSA, IA (IRN) – A Mahaska County Sheriff’s Deputy was killed by an accidental gunshot wound on Tuesday. The victim was identified as Brian Rainey, 35, of rural Mahaska County. He was off-duty at the time. LINN COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A 63-year-old bicyclist died after he was struck by one of several large trees that fell on a bike trail outside of Cedar Rapids near Ely during Monday’s storms. Thomas Rowland of Solon died at the scene. IOWA (IRN) – Early estimates indicate that 10 million acres of farmland was flatted Monday during the derecho, according to Gov. Kim Reynolds. Estimates are at least one third of Iowa crops sustained damage during the severe storms. The devastation comes as another blow to Iowa farmers already dealing with a trade war and the COVID-19 pandemic. THE MIDWEST (IRN) – There will be no Big 10 or PAC 12 football season this fall. The decision was made over the weekend as the U.S. crossed five million confirmed cases of COVID-19. The season has been postponed until spring.

IOWA (IRN) – As of 10 a.m. Tuesday, the Iowa Department of Public Health reports 49,182 confirmed cases of COVID-19 statewide since Iowa’s outbreak began. The DPH confirmed 182 additional COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours. The reported positivity rate is 9.4% compared to 7.7% Monday. There were four additional COVID-19 deaths for a statewide death toll of 935. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – MidAmerican and Alliant Energy report crews are working 24/7 shifts and are asking for patience from customers after Monday’s storm. At its peak, over 400,000 Iowans were without power Monday. The most significant damage appeared to be from north of the U.S. Highway 30 corridor to the Interstate 80 corridor. Reports of wind gusts between 70 and 110 mph were relayed to the National Weather Service. MASON CITY, IA (IRN) – A vandal left a trail of broken glass during a window smashing spree in Mason City on Sunday morning. KIMT-TV reports surveillance video caught the vandal using a sledgehammer to attack the windshields of pickup trucks at Mason City Auto Sales. Four vehicles at the dealership were damaged. The path of destruction didn’t end there. The vandal also damaged vehicles at Johnson’s Auto and smashed the window at a nearby Casey’s General Store. IOWA CITY (IRN) – Police in Iowa City are looking for a suspect following an armed robbery in the downtown area early Sunday morning. Between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m., police said a man showing a gun stopped two people as they were walking home. He demanded money from them before leaving the area. No one was hurt MIDWEST USA (IRN) – The Big Ten Conference has voted to cancel the 2020 college football season, according to published reports. Sources confirmed details of the decision to the Detroit Free Press and the Dan Patrick Show. No official announcement has been made.