Iowa Radio News

IOWA (IRN) – Two more Iowans have died from COVID-19, the Iowa Department of Public Health announced Monday. An additional 113 cases have been confirmed in the state. A total of 43 Iowans have now died from the virus. There is now a statewide total of 1,710 cases in Iowa. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The city of Des Moines estimates an $18 million loss of revenue for the next 60 days, and it’s all attributed to COVID-19. With the city at a stand still, it’s projected that there will be little revenue from sales tax, permits, and licenses. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Des Moines Public Schools are starting their first day of distance-learning today, and will continue through the rest of the school year. They are also prepared to implement the same plan for this fall if a second wave of COVID-19 hits. JOHNSTON, IA (IRN) – Easter celebrations were very different this year, with no in person church services, fewer large family gatherings, or community Easter egg hunts. WHO-TV reports Johnston resident Heather Comfort had a different idea–she asked her neighborhood to put together a door decorating contest. Bunnies, butterflies, and flowers were common decorations, and so were family photos. One door had flowers and bunnies, and at the top said, “some bunny loves you.”

JOHNSTON, IA (IRN) – There are 122 new cases of COVID-19 in Iowa, and three more deaths, as of Saturday. A total of 34 Iowans have now died because of complications of COVID-19. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Health care workers account for almost 25% of the positive cases in Iowa. Hospitals like UnityPoint in Des Moines said they’re screening all of their employees before each shift. MIDDLEBURY, IN (IRN) – Iowa-based recreational vehicle manufacturer Winnebago Industries says the company plans to begin reopening its northern Indiana plants in May after closing them in March amid the coronavirus pandemic. Winnebago and other RV manufacturers temporarily idled their manufacturing plants after stay-at-home orders were issued in Indiana and other states where RVs are produced. CORALVILLE, IA (IRN) – A correctional officer at a prison in Coralville is the first Corrections Department staffer to test positive for the new coronavirus, the department announced Friday. The officer works at the Iowa Medical and Classification Center and was tested after experiencing symptoms Wednesday and Thursday. The officer sought medical help and took a test for the coronavirus, which came back positive.

JOHNSTON, IA (IRN) – There are 122 new cases of COVID-19 in Iowa, and three more deaths, as of Saturday. A total of 34 Iowans have now died because of complications of COVID-19. ANAMOSA, IA (IRN) – Leaders at the Anamosa State Penitentiary say they’ve put new and more security measures in place to ensure both staff and inmates are safe from infection. KCRG-TV reports some of those changes include restricting visitors and quarantining new inmates to ensure they do not show any symptoms. There have been no reported cases of COVID-19 inside any state prisons. WEST DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Alcohol sales are up 18% in comparison to last March, reaching $32 million in sales in Iowa. KCCI-TV reports officials with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division say that $32 million matches what is normally sold in October, November, and December. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Iowa All-America center Luka Garza announced he’ll enter the NBA draft process without an agent so he can maintain his college eligibility. Garza scored a school-record 740 points this season, breaking the program’s 50-year old record. He scored 20 or more in a school-record 16 straight Big Ten games, the longest streak by any player in the conference since 1987.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health reported two additional deaths and 118 new COVID-19 cases in Iowa Thursday. This brings the statewide total to 1,388 positive cases and 31 deaths. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A state group voted Thursday to extend the Iowa Legislature’s adjournment until April 30. The 24-member Iowa Legislative Council, which makes rules when the legislative body isn’t in session, voted in a telephone conference call to extend the recess as concerns remain over the increasing number of coronavirus cases in the state. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Cedar Rapids Police have suspects in custody after a report of shots fired and a chase. No one was hurt. MASON CITY, IA (IRN) – The Dimensional Group in Mason City usually makes products like binders and checkbook covers. With the coronavirus in full swing, they have moved into a new product line–protective face shields. KIMT-TV reports the company has made about 50,000 face shields and in a few weeks, they hope to double that number to 100,000. CORALVILLE, IA (IRN) – A hotel in Coralville is giving doctors and nurses a place to stay during this COVID-19 emergency. KCCI-TV reports the SureStay Plus Hotel is letting them stay there for free. With no events going on in the area, the hotel’s owner says she has plenty of room to house more people. The owner, Shradha Patel, is also a nurse at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health reported two additional deaths and 125 new COVID-19 cases in Iowa Thursday. This brings the statewide total to 1,270 cases, and 29 deaths. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa Workforce Development reported 67,334 new jobless claims in Iowa filed between Sunday, March 29 and Saturday, April 4 amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The number of continuing weekly unemployment claims is 92,962. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Gov. Kim Reynolds on Wednesday said the state is expanding a grant program for small businesses, after receiving thousands of applications requesting assistance to alleviate financial burdens sustained due to the pandemic. Reynolds said the program will increase funding from $4 million to $24 million to help more businesses suffering due to closures. These grants totaled $10 million, with each one ranging from $5,000-$25,000. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Des Moines Public Schools announced Wednesday the district will finish the academic year with online classes. Des Moines staff and students will begin distance learning through online courses beginning Monday for high school seniors, on April 20 for grades 9-11, and April 27 for pre-K through eighth grade. EARLHAM, IA (IRN) – Every household in Earlham received a generous surprise through the mail by an anonymous person to help keep the community afloat during the coronavirus pandemic. WHO-TV reports 549 households received three gift cards each worth $50.