Iowa Radio News

IOWA – After more than two weeks without any major weather events, strong hail and damaging winds came ahead of 2-4″ of rainfall across a larger portion of Iowa on Monday. Reports of one-inch in diameter hail — and one instance of near baseball-sized stones in Osceola, were shared with the National Weather Service in the late afternoon before multiple rounds of moderate-to-heavy rainfall impacted many. Several central Iowa communities approached four inches of precipitation. DES MOINES – Emergency managers and law enforcement leaders in Iowa are asking Governor Kim Reynolds to veto a fee for 911 upgrades approved in the final days of the Legislative Session. KCCI-TV reports the appropriations bill requires 911 boards to pay for communications equipment, which may hinder local budgets, according to those leaders. Lawmakers included the fee because they believe many areas of the state are behind in technology related to the service. IOWA – Little or no precipitation and warm temperatures last week allowed Iowa farmers 6.6 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. Corn and soybean planting made rapid progress. There were scattered reports of replanting as early planted crops in some areas had struggled to emerge with the dry conditions. Topsoil moisture condition rated 8 percent very short, 37 percent short, 53 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus. Corn planted reached 91 percent complete, 12 days ahead of last year and 4 days ahead of the 5-year average. Eighty four percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted just over 2 weeks ahead of last year and 1 week ahead the 5-year average.

ANKENY – A trooper with the Iowa State Patrol is being sued for his connection to the 2023 death of a bystander motorist killed in a pursuit by police. The Des Moines Register reports two officers had called off the chase just over two years ago, but Trooper Jeremy Sabin continued despite radio calls trying to back off from then 30-year-old Micah Denman. During that pursuit, 51-year-old Duane Sievert was driving and was rear-ended by Denman, who was driving recklessly and at near 130 MPH speeds. Denman was sentenced to 30 years in prison for his role. The family contends that Trooper Sabin was acting recklessly and in violation of Iowa State Patrol policy, claiming police could have later arrested the man.LEMARS – Iowa-based Wells Enterprises issued a voluntary recall for possible plastic in ice cream and frozen yogurt. KCCI-TV reports the Food and Drug Administration recently released details that the Le Mars company behind the Blue Bunny and Halo Top brands made the move last month. The recalled products included 22 flavors of ice cream and frozen yogurt in three-gallon containers, with use by dates between March and October 2026. AMES – A college degree still means a whole lot to an NFL starter, who walked the stage in Hilton Coliseum this past weekend. Former Iowa State Cyclone great David Montgomery, now a Detroit Lions running back, earned his degree six years after leaving Ames to pursue professional football. Montgomery was a junior when he departed and had paused his educational pursuit.

DES MOINES – Emergency response units are asking Governor Kim Reynolds to veto legislation that charges local 911 service boards for costs associated with the service. WHO-13 reports it came as part of an appropriations bill passed on the final day of the session. The Iowa 911 program can charge local service boards, and force payment within 30 days, according to the president of the Iowa Chapter of Association of Public Safety Communications Officials. DES MOINES – A federal court has ruled to block part of a 2023 Iowa law restricting schools from teaching or discussing LGBTQ topics. The Des Moines Register reports a U.S. District Court judge partially prevents parts of that law from going into effect. The ruling allows schools to have clubs for students about those topics, although many districts have already disbarred those organizations. AMES – A former Iowa State Cyclone and “Mr. Irrelevant” in the NFL Draft is cashing in after a successful first few seasons in the professional ranks. KCCI-TV reports Brock Purdy signed a five-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers worth up to $265 million. Purdy was the final pick in the 2022 NFL draft, and in three seasons since, has thrown for 64 touchdown passes to 27 interceptions with a 104.9 quarterback rating.

DES MOINES – The 2025 Iowa Legislative Session adjourned on Thursday, nearly two weeks after the self-imposed deadline for lawmakers. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports the extra time came as the majority party had inter-party disputes related to the overall budget and on legislation related to limiting the use of eminent domain for pipeline projects. A proposal aiming to overhaul property taxes did not garner enough support to pass during this session. ELDON – The Wapello County Sheriff’s Office has connected an Arkansas man to more than a dozen burglaries in Iowa. KCCI-TV reports Curtis Lee Barton is accused of stealing more than $4,000 from the Cardinal School District in Eldon. The sheriff’s office found the theft was committed in similar fashion to other similar incidents in other states. Barton was arrested this week in Arkansas. AVOCA – A utility company in western Iowa has placed water restrictions on customers due to expanding drought conditions. KETV reports the Regional Water Rural Association is now in “Level Red” and impacts residents in a five county area. Those living in those communities are not able to water lawns, wash cars, or fill swimming pools, and encouraged to take shorter showers and use water efficient appliances.

DES MOINES – Gov. Kim Reynolds ordered all flags in Iowa to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset today in honor of the National Peace Officers Memorial Day.  Flags will be at half-staff on the State Capitol Building and on flag displays in the Capitol Complex. Flags will also be at half-staff on all public buildings, grounds and facilities throughout the state.  Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flag at half-staff for the same length of time as a sign of respect.  ANKENY – A preschool in Ankeny has cancelled all teacher contracts for the upcoming academic year. KCCI-TV reports Bright Beginnings let go of all staff following what leadership with the organization is calling an internal investigation. The school intends to open for classes still, but did not clarify what that process would look like moving forward. DES MOINES – An Iowa lawmaker claims the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation placed a geofence at the State Capitol Building during a high-profile investigation into college sports and gambling. WHO-13 reports that Representative Megan Jones believes the state’s police force “spied” on people at the capitol building after DCI did not inform anyone of a test of the software. The investigation prompted several criminal charges of University of Iowa and Iowa State athletes in 2023 and 2024. Critics claim DCI had used warrantless searches as part of the process. A spokesperson with DCI says no personal data was collected from the state capitol.