Iowa Radio News

IOWA (IRN) – Almost 125,000 Iowans were without power Monday after strong storms rolled through the state. Damage is still being assessed. Wind speeds approached 100 mph in some locations. IOWA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health reports there are 49,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus, as of 10:00 a.m., an increase of 268 since 10 a.m. Sunday. There has been one additional death. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A motorcyclist died after a crash with a stolen vehicle Sunday night in Des Moines. Officers arrived and saw that the car involved in the crash had fled the scene and then crashed again into a building. Police say the driver, a 52-year-old man, attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended by officers. The car he was driving was stolen. The motorcyclist, a 51-year-old man, died from his injuries. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – The mother of an 18-year-old University of Iowa student who froze to death in January 2019 is suing the school for negligence. Michael Belz, of Cedar Rapids, was caught outside of his residence hall on the night of Jan. 29, 2019, when wind chills in Iowa City were 51 degrees below zero. He was found unresponsive the next day and his death was ruled an accident. The wrongful death lawsuit contends the university locked all the entrances to Burge Hall, where Belz lived, without warning residents they would need a student ID to get in. WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – A bicyclist who was hurt in an early Sunday morning bicycle crash in Waterloo has died. The cyclist was riding east in the westbound lanes, while the car was traveling westbound. They collided head-on. IOWA (IRN) – Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer revealed that she was married to Daniel Wasta in a small, at-home ceremony on Saturday. Finkenauer, 31, represents Iowa’s 1st congressional district. Wasta was previously Iowa’s political director for Elizabeth Warren’s presidential campaign.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health as of 10 a.m. Saturday, there were 383 new positive COVID-19 cases in Iowa. Since the beginning of the virus in Iowa, 925 Iowans have died from COVID-19. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The refusal of Gov. Kim Reynolds to require Iowans to wear masks in public has prompted at least three cities and a county to adopt their own local ordinances, setting up what could be a legal battle over whether local officials have the authority to impose mask rules in the absence of a governor’s mandate. So far, a court has not been asked to resolve these standoffs between Reynolds and local officials, but it appears likely as some local mask ordinances are set to take effect on Monday. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – The Big Ten Conference said that teams will not be able to go on to full-dress workouts, involving pads and other normal equipment, until further notice. Players can wear helmets during practices, but no other protective equipment, to limit contact during drills. The move comes amid concerns about player health and safety amid the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic. CEDAR FALLS, IA (IRN) – The Missouri Valley Football Conference announced Friday it will postpone its fall season to spring 2021. UNI and the rest of the Missouri Valley football teams will play an eight-game schedule in the spring.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Many schools are seeing a teacher shortage. The head of Iowa’s teachers union said COVID-19 could impact what was already an issue. Because of that, Iowa relaxed substitute teacher requirements in advance of students’ returning to classrooms. People with associate degrees or 60 hours of college coursework can now become substitute teachers. IOWA (IRN) – A Minnesota pork company has received most of the money from an Iowa program designed to support farmers who euthanized their hogs after the coronavirus devastated their industry. Christensen Farms, one of the nation’s largest family-owned pork producers, has received $1.86 million from the Iowa Disposal Assistance Program, or 72% of the $2.6 million the program has paid to date. AMES, IA (IRN) – Iowa State University has released test results after students moved in Thursday. Earlier this week, students moved back to campus and were required to take COVID-19 tests. Of the students who have returned to campus, 66 students, or 2.2% of students tested positive for COVID-19. IOWA (IRN) – Back to school shopping will be a little cheaper today. Residents in Iowa can buy shoes, clothes and school related supplies under $100 tax free until tonight at midnight.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health on Friday confirmed 588 additional COVID-19 cases. 47,729 cases have been confirmed statewide since Iowa’s outbreak began. The Iowa DPH reported six additional COVID-19 deaths for a statewide death toll of 912. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Drake Athletics reported today that its fall 2020 football season is canceled following a decision from the Pioneer Football League. The PFL cited travel and logistical complications due to COVID-19 as its reason for not conducting conference competition in the fall. FORT DODGE, IA (IRN) – The Fort Dodge man facing first-degree murder charges in the shooting death of his wife had threatened to kill her several times before. Police said Justin Hurdel was injured during an 18-hour manhunt that led to his capture and arrest Thursday. A witness saw Hurdel wait in a detached garage and confront his estranged wife before pulling the trigger. Maggie Hurdel died at the scene. A few weeks prior, Justin Hurdel was charged with domestic assault for spitting in his wife’s face and saying, “Wait and see what I do to you…” HARRISON COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A Des Moines man was killed Wednesday while working on a road construction project in Harrison County in western Iowa. 51-year-old Homero Carrillo died after a tire came off a truck and struck him. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – The updated 2020 football schedule came out on Wednesday for the University of Iowa, and the university has also announced guidelines for fans. 10,000 to 15,000 fans will be allowed at the games, and tickets will be sold as single games instead of as season tickets. All tickets and parking passes will be digital. Fans will be required to wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines. Parking lots will be restricted to 50% capacity and will open four hours before kickoff. The Hawkeyes have five home games with the season opener set to begin on September 5th. DES MOINES, IA (IR) – Extreme drought conditions have returned to Iowa for the first time in almost two years. The Department of Natural Resources says nearly 80 percent of Iowa has some level of drought.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Vice President Mike Pence will travel to Des Moines to deliver remarks ahead of the Iowa GOP state dinner, the Office of the Vice President reports. Pence will launch a “Fight for America” campaign on Aug. 13 at a Heritage Action Town Hall. The news release describes the campaign as the “staunch rejection of socialist ideals and the administration’s unwavering support of law enforcement.” Pence will attend the Iowa GOP dinner following his remarks, then return to Washington, D.C. FORT DODGE, IA (IRN) – Authorities are conducting a homicide investigation in Fort Dodge. Shortly after 2 p.m. yesterday, Fort Dodge police received a call of an individual being shot. When they arrived, they found a female victim with a gunshot wound. She later died. Authorities are attempting to locate Justin Christopher Hurdel, 43, of Fort Dodge, who they believe is armed and dangerous. Police said they found his abandoned car near the river. FORT DODGE, IA (IRN) – A Fort Dodge woman who was reported to be acting erratically while wielding knives has been shot and killed by police. Officials gave no other details about the shooting. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed an executive order Tuesday restoring felon voting rights. Currently, felons automatically have their voting rights taken away permanently unless they apply to the governor to have them restored. Reynolds pointed out that an executive order is not a permanent solution, and that legislative action is needed. IOWA (IRN) – Many Iowa school districts say they are seeing more enrollment in their home school assistance programs. KCRG-TV reports the choice to homeschool is because many parents are concerned about sending students into the classroom and not feeling like any of the return-to-school options is a good fit.