Iowa Radio News

EVERLY – Two people died in a fatal head-on crash in Clay County Friday. The Iowa State Patrol reports a Chevy Silverado operated by 70-year-old Randall Scott Dykstra of Everly was traveling northbound and ran head on with a Nissan Rogue driven by 45-year-old Bridget Lee Baird of Milford, who was traveling in the wrong lane. Both were declared dead on scene. Several Clay County agencies assisted. DES MOINES— Governor Kim Reynolds issued a proclamation setting Tuesday, March 11th, as the date for a special election in Iowa House District 100 following the death of Representative Martin Graber.  Graber served his country for more than three decades in the Iowa Army National Guard before he was elected to the Iowa House in 2020. Graber was serving his third term in the Iowa Legislature when he passed away on Friday, January 31st. House District 100 is located in Lee County.NEW ORLEANS – An Iowa native is set to play on football’s biggest stage this weekend. Former All-American with the Hawkeyes Cooper DeJean will compete for a Super Bowl championship this Sunday in New Orleans against the Kansas City Chiefs. The former multi-sport star at OABCIG High School was voted 4th in the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year poll and is set to be featured heavily in the Philadelphia Eagles secondary against Patrick Mahomes and his team’s pursuit of a title threepeat.

CEDAR RAPIDS – The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission approved an application for a new casino in Cedar Rapids. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports a groundbreaking is scheduled today after a meeting held in Altoona on Thursday gave the green light to the development. The group cited approximately $60 million in new annual gaming revenue for the state once the Cedar Crossing Casino and Entertainment Center is operational. It came after the Iowa House had voted for a moratorium on new casinos in Iowa, but the Senate did not move on the measure. There are concerns the new facility will cannibalize revenue from other eastern Iowa casinos. WINTERSET – Madison County leaders are working to replace the county treasurer following her January 31st arrest. WHO-13 reports the Board of Supervisors moved to formally remove Amanda DeVos from her post this Wednesday and appointed a new acting treasurer. DeVos was arrested and charged with felonious misconduct, tampering with records, theft, and fraudulent practice. She’s accused of misconduct in office and misappropriating thousands of dollars in county funds. WINNESHIEK COUNTY – State leadership is retaliating against a sheriff who posted a letter this week, claiming his office would not assist federal immigration enforcement unless they had warrants signed by a judge. KCCI-TV reports the Iowa Attorney General’s Office has opened an investigation against Winneshiek County Sheriff Dan Marx and the county’s board of supervisors. Governor Kim Reynolds issued a statement as well, condemning Marx for his comments.

WASHINGTON D.C. – Governor Kim Reynolds was in Washington D.C. on Wednesday, as she testified in the U.S. House about government efficiency. The Des Moines Register reports Reynolds testified about Iowa’s deep tax cuts and reduction of state agencies. While Republicans on the panel were supportive of the direction of the state, Reynolds drew questions and criticism from Democratic lawmakers who asked about a bill she signed limiting State Auditor Rob Sand’s powers and ability to audit state agencies. Reynolds later attended the signing of an executive order by President Donald Trump banning transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports.DES MOINES – Legislation that would allow schools to start before the Iowa State Fair has advanced through the Senate Education Committee. WHO-13 reports Senate File 205 would allow classes at both public and private schools to start as early as the second to last Monday in August. In 2015, Governor Terry Branstad signed a law that set August 23rd as the earliest day classes could begin, which was negotiated among multiple parties, including many state tourism groups. Adventureland, Okoboji Tourism, and Iowa Travel Industry Partners have listed as lobbyists against the measure, while the Iowa Association of School Boards and Association of Christian Schools are in support. DES MOINES – Another main stage performance has been announced for the 2025 Iowa State Fair. KCCI-TV reports T-Pain is coming to the grandstand on Saturday, August 16th. Tickets go on sale Friday morning for the artist known for his pop, hip-hop and R&B catalog. T-Pain joins Forrest Frank, Parker McCollum, Megan Moroney, Hairball, and Def Leppard as the main entertainers for the 2025 fair, which runs August 7th through the 17th.

DAVENPORT – The Scott County Attorney’s Office will not file criminal charges in relation to the collapse of a 2023 collapse of an apartment building in Davenport. The Des Moines Register reports the 116-year-old former hotel in downtown Davenport collapsed and killed three residents and displaced several people nearly two years ago. Following an Iowa DCI investigation report, the Scott County Attorney’s Office review found nothing amounted to criminal charges, and suggested the best course of action would be continued civil court proceedings.MASON CITY – A private investigator is asking to unseal a search warrant to investigate the disappearance of a TV anchor three decades ago. KCCI-TV reports Jodi Huisentruit disappeared in 1995, and was reported missing after she was supposed to appear on TV in Mason City. An Iowa-based investigator has requested that a judge unseal a 2017 search warrant issued for vehicles belonging to the now-deceased John Vansice, who died in December. COUNCIL BLUFFS – A federal grand jury in Council Bluffs returned a two-count indictment charging two individuals with offenses related to distribution and receipt of child pornography. Fifty-two year old Jason J. Traina of New York is charged with distribution of child pornography and 40-year-old Carrie Marie Campbell of Council Bluffs, is charged with receipt of child pornography. On February 3rd, Campbell made her initial appearance in the Southern District of Iowa. Traina and Campbell each face a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of twenty years in prison.

NEWTON – A truck driver from southwest Iowa faces an Attempted Murder charge and other felonies for allegedly shooting at another semi on the eastbound side of I-80 in Newton Sunday night. According to the Newton Police Department, 56-year old Patrick Lee Miller of Malvern fired multiple shots at another semi as the vehicle was passing him at exit 164. Newton Police are calling it a road rage incident, and the department reports the other truck driver was not injured. In addition to Attempted Murder, Miller is charged with Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon, Going Armed with Intent , and Reckless Use of a Firearm. DES MOINES – Two people died in a shooting in Des Moines Monday afternoon. KCCI-TV reports a 24-year-old and 15-year-old were found injured just after 4:30 p.m. Police say all who were involved in the incident were accounted for and an investigation is continuing into how the two people were killed. DES MOINES – A bill was filed in the Iowa House that would require schools to use names of landmarks that have been ordered by President Donald Trump. KCRG-TV reports House Study Bill 97 requires use of the terms Gulf of America and Mount McKinley instead of Gulf of Mexico and Denali. Republican lawmakers say it’s a move to align with the federal orders.IOWA – Periods of freezing drizzle are forecast on Wednesday statewide. According to the National Weather Service, the precipitation is beginning in Southern Iowa early in the morning and spreading northward through the day before departing to the east around Wednesday evening. Although ice accumulations will be light, generally a tenth of an inch or less, they could result in hazardous travel conditions at times.