Iowa Radio News

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Gov. Kim Reynolds said Iowa now has 44 positive COVID-19 cases as of Thursday afternoon. The governor gave the update during a press conference on Thursday. The previous count, given Wednesday, had Iowa with 38 cases. The governor says she is not yet suggesting that we shelter in place. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Iowa Hospitals and Clinics is postponing “elective and non-urgent surgeries” because of the coronavirus. “Critical and emergency surgeries” would take priority. The move will save on supplies. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Drake University has postponed the 2020 Drake Relays due to concerns over coronavirus. A postponed date has not yet been scheduled. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A Des Moines man has confessed to his mother’s death, according to KCCI-TV. Christopher W. Thompson turned himself in to the Polk County Jail on Wednesday. He said that on Friday, he and his mother, Paula Thompson, 50, were in an argument. He said he got violent with her and she died. Police found her body shortly after the interview. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – A well-known professor and priest at a Roman Catholic college in Iowa has been suspended while the church investigates a sexual misconduct allegation dating to the 1990s, according to WHO-TV. St. Ambrose University in Davenport said school officials recently learned of the complaint against theology professor Rev. Robert L. “Bud” Grant and are taking the report seriously.

IOWA (IRN) – Nine more Iowans have tested positive for COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by coronavirus, according to Gov. Kim Reynolds’ office. This brings the total cases in Iowa to 38. The nine new cases also represent the largest single-day increase in positive diagnoses of COVID-19 since it was first found in Iowa on March 8. The new cases include three residents of Johnson County; two residents of Polk County; two residents of Dallas County; and one resident each from Washington and Winneshiek counties. AMES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa DOT is initiating changes In response to the COVID-19 outbreak. If you have a driver’s license that has an expiration date of Jan. 17, 2020, or later you do not have to renew your license at this time. It will remain valid for driving purposes until the declared disaster has ended. If your vehicle registration expired Jan. 17, 2020, or later, it will be considered valid until the declared disaster has ended. For additional changes visit the Iowa DOT website. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – The person who was the first in the state to be admitted to a hospital while suffering community spread of COVID-19 has been released from the University of Iowa Hospitals, according to KCRG-TV. The unnamed individual in Johnson County was discharged yesterday. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Des Moines Police Department is investigating a shooting Tuesday that left a woman and a male juvenile with gunshot wounds. KCCI-TV reports police found a boy with a gunshot wound to the face and a woman with a gunshot wound to the leg. Their injuries do not appear to be life-threatening. POLK COUNTY, IA (IRN) – Authorities are investigating after kids discovered human remains in Polk County on Tuesday. WHO-TV reports the caller reported their grandchildren discovered what appeared to be human bones while playing in a pile of dirt. Polk County detectives say the remains appear to be old, and the investigation is ongoing.

DES MOINES (IRN) – Gov. Reynolds has issued a State of Public Health Disaster Emergency activating the public health response and recovery aspects of the State Disaster Emergency Plan effective at noon today. It takes significant steps to require social distancing and limit community spread of the virus by implementing temporary measures including moving restaurants to drive-through, carry-out, and delivery only and closures of certain bars and recreational facilities. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Gov. Kim Reynolds announced one new case of COVID-19 in Iowa and promised to sign legislation that would waive missed school day requirements due to coronavirus. The total of Iowans known to be infected is 23. Counties affected by COVID-19 include Polk, Dallas, Johnson, Allamakee, Carroll, Harrison and Pottawattamie. URBANDALE, IA (IRN) – An Urbandale Community School District employee has tested positive for COVID-19. The announcement was made in a letter to the community by the school district Monday night. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Transportation is asking people who need services from their driver license centers to make an appointment ahead of time. This is to reduce the number of people in waiting areas. Officials suggest that people postpone using the state’s licensing and identification centers if they are able to do so. Iowans have 60 days after the printed expiration date on a state-issued identification or license card to renew. CORALVILLE, IA (IRN) – An Iowa based company has been approved by the CDC to manufacture COVID-19 test kits. Integrated DNA Technologies of Coralville expects to manufacture 5 million test kits per week.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – An adult and a child were killed in a house fire in Des Moines on Sunday. WHO-TV reports when firefighters arrived they were met with heavy smoke and flames shooting out of the home. It took firefighters about 15 minutes to extinguish the fire. The names and ages of the victims have not been released. The cause of the fire is under investigation. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Sunday night she is suggesting schools close for at least four weeks. She also announced four new cases of COVID-19 in Iowa, bringing the total to 22 infected people. Three of the new cases are between the ages 41-60 years old and one is a child between 0-18 years old. Counties affected include Polk, Dallas, Johnson, Allamakee, Carroll, Harrison and Pottawattamie. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Spring sports, music, and speech activities for Iowa high schoolers are being prohibited until classes resume. A statement was issued today on behalf of the Iowa High School Athletic Association, Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, Iowa High School Athletic Association, Iowa High School Music Association, and the Iowa High School Speech Association. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Legislature has suspended its session for 30 days in response to COVID-19. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie issued a state of emergency for the city of Des Moines due to concerns over the coronavirus. In this proclamation, he prohibited the gathering of more than 250 people on public property. Any permits given by the city to gather in such crowds are now rescinded. IOWA (IRN) – The Iowa Supreme Court issued an order Saturday postponing most criminal and civil jury trials to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. Criminal jury trials will be postponed until April 20 and civil jury trials until May 4, unless the jury already has been sworn in.

JOHNSTON, IA (IRN) – A new confirmed case of the coronavirus was found in Dallas County. Gov. Kim Reynolds made the announcement during a press conference in Johnston Saturday. The newly infected individual is age 61 to 80 and did not travel to an infected area. This brings the total of infected Iowans to 18. It also means we now have community spread coronavirus in the state–not just travel related. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Central Iowa, organizers of Des Moines’ St. Patrick’s Day Parade, have decided to continue the parade as scheduled over the objections of the Mayor. Many other St. Patrick’s Day celebrations have been canceled, such as those in Chicago, Boston, Denver, Philadelphia and Seattle. The parade is scheduled for 8 a.m. Tuesday. IOWA — Due to the worldwide spread of COVID-19, the Board of Regents has requested that Iowa’s public universities recall faculty, staff and students who are currently outside the United States. This includes faculty, staff and students from Iowa State University, the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa. The board is giving each university’s president the flexibility to make exceptions on a case-by-case basis. IOWA (IRN) – The Iowa Supreme Court issued an order Saturday postponing most criminal and civil jury trials to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. Criminal jury trials will be postponed until April 20 and civil jury trials until May 4, unless the jury already has been sworn in.