Iowa Radio News

IOWA – A large, potent winter storm is set to bring blizzard conditions to parts of the Midwest today, including portions of western and northern Iowa. Those locations are expected to bring moderate to heavy snowfall and strong winds gusting to 50 mph or more producing near zero visibilities and blizzard conditions, according to the National Weather Service. Main communities impacted are Algona, Storm Lake, Fort Dodge, Carroll, and Mason City. Those wind gusts over 50 mph or more will also extend farther south and east into locations receiving little or no snowfall. This may result in some tree and power line damage, even in locations that don’t receive much in the way of wintry precipitation. CEDAR RAPIDS – A woman charged with human trafficking has pleaded guilty to prostitution and conspiracy charges. KCRG-TV reports Tana Torres and Jarod Anderson picked up a teenager and forced her into prostitution. Torres entered the plea this week after a jury found Anderson guilty of human trafficking and sexual abuse charges last week. Torres testified against Anderson, claiming she was also a victim and sharing that he targeted women from the area who were at a low point in their lives. DES MOINES – Des Moines Area Community College has had its lawsuit claiming Drake University defamed it as part of a legal dispute over school logos has been denied. Iowa Capital Dispatch Reports DMACC was cautioned about its move the accusation. This stems from a lawsuit Drake University has brought against the community college for a block-lettered “D” logo and blue-and-white color scheme. A chief district judge ruled Drake would like prevail in the case, and ruled DMACC needed to stop using the newly-created logo. The defamation claim came from an email sent to Drake University Alumni about the lawsuit.

IOWA – Another powerful storm system is taking aim on Iowa, this time, with a final gasp of winter-like conditions for many on Wednesday. According to the National Weather Service, the northwest third of the state will likely see a combination of wet, heavy snow and wind gusts up to 50 MPH throughout much of the day. Widespread travel impacts are expected in areas such as Algona, Storm Lake, Mason City, Carroll, and Fort Dodge. While the rest of the state may avoid blizzard-like conditions, high winds will impact most Iowans at the same time regardless of the amount of snow involved. This comes just days after more than 14,000 MidAmerican customers lost electricity during severe thunderstorms last Friday. IOWA – Iowa’s Labor Force Participation Rate rose to 67.0 percent in January, up from the 66.4 percent first announced for December, after growth and an annual revision of labor statistics added 31,000 people to the official estimate of Iowa’s workforce. That report was released on Monday. Even after the revision, January’s Labor Force Participation increased slightly from the revised December rate of 66.9 percent. Meanwhile, Iowa’s unemployment rate in January held steady with the revised December rate of 3.3 percent, while the U.S. unemployment rate decreased to 4.0 percent. The total number of unemployed Iowans increased to 56,500, up 200 from revised December data.IOWA – Ten restaurants have been selected as finalists for Iowa’s best burger in 2025 by the Iowa Beef Industry Council and Iowa Cattlemen’s Association. KCCI-TV reports Arcadia of Polk City, Big Head Burger of Waterloo, Dan’s Road House in Cresco, Halftime Bar and Grill in Pleasantville, Lewis and Lewis of Oskaloosa, Salsa Guy Cafe in Cedar Rapids, Smash and Grab in Knoxville, The Roadhouse of Sac City, and Wilder in Iowa City are the finalists.

HARLAN – An investigation continues into an officer-involved shooting in Harlan. A press release issued by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation identified Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Captain Chad Butler has the one who shot and killed 36-year-old David Plagmann, who is accused of pointing a rifle at police. Following that incident on March 6th, police found 31-year-old Alexis Martin, and investigators believe Plagmann is responsible for her death. DES MOINES – Minnesota Governor Tim Walz says he made a trip to Iowa to answer to voters upset with Democrats who aren’t doing enough to push back against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk. The Des Moines Register reports 1,500 people registered to attend a town hall with the 2024 Vice Presidential Candidate. Walz is on a tour of swing districts of Republicans who are not holding public town hall events in swing districts. Republicans in the state were critical of Walz, accusing him of furthering his own political fortunes and fundraising. IOWA – Drought conditions scaled back statewide in the latest weekly report. The U.S. Drought Monitor Shows 56% of the state is in moderate conditions, down from 73% last week. The worst conditions are in northwest Iowa, primarily in the Sioux City area. The latest National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center report shows near normal rainfall expected over the next two weeks. A winter storm could impact much of the state this Wednesday as well.

IOWA – Widespread thunderstorms brought gusty winds to most of Iowa on Friday. Nearly 12,000 customers were without power in central Iowa at one point due to reported gusts of up to 73 MPH. Multiple semis were overturned on four-lane highways as well. Much cooler air sweeps into Iowa by Sunday morning, with wind chills into the single digits in northern Iowa. DES MOINES – A Marshalltown woman pleaded guilty this week to diverting controlled substances for her own use and falsely noting the administration of a controlled substance in a patient record. According to court documents, Amanda Nicole Manatt was employed as a registered nurse at a hospital in Marshall County in 2023 and at a hospital in Story County in 2024. Manatt obtained controlled substances intended for patient use and took fentanyl and hydromorphone for her own use. She also falsely documented the administration of a controlled substance in a patient record. Manatt is scheduled to be sentenced on July 11th and faces a potential sentence of up to five years in prison.IOWA CITY – Longtime Iowa Head Men’s Basketball Coach Fran McCaffery has been let go from his position. KCRG-TV reports the university is parting ways after 15 seasons with McCaffery on the sides. He had the most wins in Iowa Hawkeyes program history at 297 and Iowa finished 17-16 this year. However, attendance at Carver Hawkeye Arena had dropped significantly this past winter, and he never led a Hawkeyes team into the Sweet 16 despite seven NCAA tournament appearances.

IOWA – Widespread severe weather is expected to impact the state today and for the first time in 2025. According to the National Weather Service, thunderstorms capable of producing winds up to 75 MPH are increasingly likely across most of Iowa. Hail and isolated tornadoes are also possible. Breezy conditions are also in place outside of the storms, with wind gusts up to 50 MPH likely in many communities. DES MOINES – Iowa’s Revenue Estimating Conference met again to revise projections for the state’s finances on Thursday. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports there were slight drops in the revised numbers for the incoming resources for both the current and next fiscal year, down to $8.7 billion in fiscal year 2026. The panel cited tax cuts passed over the past few years. The Governor’s proposed budget for the next few fiscal years shows a draw down of the state’s full reserve funds to make up for the losses. DES MOINES – A Des Moines man was sentenced this week to 54 months in federal prison for wire fraud and money laundering charges. According to court documents, Bryan David Sampica, 49, executed a scheme to defraud financial institutions responsible for issuing Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans between May 2020 and March 2021. Sampica fraudulently obtained two loans for a company that had no employees, no operations, and no payroll. Once Sampica received the funding, he uuse the money to pay off a car loan, transfer money to a family member and trust accounts, and to purchase a yacht.