Iowa Radio News

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA (IRN) – An Iowa man was sentenced Friday for possession of child pornography. KETV reports 41-year-old Mitchell Obrecht of Carter Lake was sentenced to over eight years in prison. The charge resulted from an investigation into the posting of a video and an image, each depicting child pornography, on a social networking site. A search of Obrecht’s home found two computers that contained over 1,000 of images of child pornography. SIOUX CITY, IA (IRN) – A Sioux City teen has been arrested and charged with a felony after police said he intentionally shot his 3-year-old sister twice in the face with a BB gun, severely injuring her. The Sioux City Journal reports that the 17-year-old shot the preschooler Wednesday, breaking her jaw and requiring surgery. Doctors say one BB was removed during surgery, but the other BB entered near her eye and lodged next to her brain. Doctors say it was too risky to remove, so has been left in place. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – In a landmark sexual harassment case, the University of Iowa agreed to pay Tracey Griesbaum $1.5 million Friday to end a legal battle that began nearly three years ago with the firing of the former field hockey coach. In addition, the school will pay $2.3 million to Griesbaum’s partner, Jane Meyer, and $2.7 million to the Des Moines law firm that represented them both, bringing the total payment to $6.5 million. IOWA (IRN) – This weekend could be Terry Branstad’s final one as Iowa’s governor. On Monday, the U.S. Senate will vote on Branstad’s nomination to become the next U.S. Ambassador to China. With Branstad’s appointment, Kim Reynolds’ will become the first woman to serve as governor of Iowa. JANESVILLE, IA (IRN) – Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers helped an Iowa high school class get out of a final exam. ESPN reports the class made a deal with its teacher, who is a Rodgers fan, that a retweet from the quarterback would cancel the final in a sports literature class in the Janesville School District. Rodgers obliged, tweeting, “I’m sure a sports lit final is very important, but here you go….”

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The man accused of killing two Des Moines metro police officers in ambush-style attacks pled guilty and was sentenced today. KCCI-TV reports Scott Greene pled guilty to two charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of Des Moines police Sgt. Anthony Beminio and Urbandale Officer Justin Martin. Greene was sentenced on two counts of first-degree murder to consecutive sentences of imprisonment not to exceed two life sentences. OTTUMWA, IA (IRN) – An Ottumwa man is in jail accused of impregnating a teenage girl, according to KTVO-TV. 25-year-old Benevenuto Lopez-Alonzo allegedly had sexual relations with a 14-year-old girl in his home. A DNA analysis by the state crime lab determined that Lopez-Alonzo was responsible for the girl’s ensuing pregnancy. He also allegedly had naked photographs of the girl posted on his Facebook account. MUSCATINE, IA (IRN) – A woman’s body was pulled from the Mississippi River Wednesday in Muscatine, according to WQAD-TV. The woman has not been identified, and an investigation is underway. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Planned Parenthood says it’s closing four of its 12 clinics in Iowa after the Republican-led Legislature cut its state funding. KCCI-TV reports the closings will reduce Planned Parenthood facilities that provide health care and abortions in Iowa from eight to five. More than 30 employees will be laid off. The health centers slated for closing are in Sioux City, Bettendorf, Burlington and Keokuk. MASON CITY, IA (IRN) – Emergency crews have responded to a train derailment in Cerro Gordo County. KIMT-TV reports there are two different types of hazardous materials on the Union Pacific train. No one was injured and the cause of the derailment is not known. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Women in eastern Iowa are reporting issues with their Uber drivers using the app to make sexual advances. KCRG-TV reports women in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City say Uber drivers have been touching them, and texting them through the app asking for dates. Police say call 911 if your driver gets out of line.

WINTHROP, IA (IRN) – A worker has been killed in an accident at a grain facility in eastern Iowa. KCCI-TV reports first responders were sent to the Viafield co-op facility Tuesday. The man already had been pulled from a grain cart, and efforts were made to revive him. He died later at a hospital. His name and other information about the accident haven’t been released. COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA (IRN) – A 32-year-old Missouri Valley woman has been sentenced to 16 years in prison in a sex abuse case, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Trudy Thomsen met a 14-year-old girl while working at a group home in Arkansas. After leaving the job, Thomsen and her co-defendant, John Thomsen, used social media to convince the teen and another girl to come live with them. The Thomsens then engaged in sexual acts with one of the girls. John Thomsen was sentenced in January to 20 years in federal prison. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Police are preparing an arrest warrant for a man who two women say tried to run them off the road Tuesday. WHO-TV reports one of the women had an argument with her boyfriend earlier in the day. When he later tried to run the women off the road with his car, the girlfriend fired a shot into the car, hitting him in the knee. Police found him later sitting in his garage with a gunshot wound that revealed bone. He was taken to a hospital, but left before police could further question him. DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – Some state parks in Iowa might have to close, according to the DNR. That’s because they’re getting less money from the state. The budget the Republican controlled legislature and Governor Branstad approved for state parks is less than half what it was 10 years ago. IOWA (IRN) – Iowans are assessing storm damage today after severe weather pushed its way across the state. Strong storms moving through Des Moines knocked out power to about 20,000. Semi trucks flipped on I-35 and I-80, and one rolled near Parkersburg, killing its driver. A tornado was reported near Richland moving into Washington County. Southeast Iowa had outbuildings, trees and power lines knocked down. Wind gusts reached 67 miles per hour in the City of Washington. Damage reports are still coming in across the state.

IOWA (IRN) – Iowans are assessing damage after strong storms hit the state Tuesday night. An apartment building and homes have been damaged in Perry. Fort Dodge sustained significant damage, and schools are closed today. Significant damage was also reported in Council Bluffs. A tree fell on a car in Knoxville. Winds of up to 70 mph were reported in Carroll and Shelby counties, and golf ball-size hail was reported in Crawford County. IDA GROVE, IA (IRN) – A former substitute teacher and coach has been given 10 years in prison for having sexual relationships with students at two northwest Iowa high schools. KWWL-TV reports 33-year-old John Tietsort, of Battle Creek, was sentenced Monday. WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – A Waterloo couple faces charges after they brought two Chicago teenage girls to Iowa for prostitution. KCRG-TV reports 35-year-old Lawrence Campbell and his wife, 24-year-old Sade Campbell have been charged with human trafficking. Lawrence Campbell allegedly met the 16-year-old girls online and promised them “a better life” in Iowa. He purchased bus tickets for them to come to Waterloo to live at his house, where they were told to have sex with men for money, and steal from stores. Police initially arrested the girls for stealing candy. DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – A 12-year-old girl was hit by a car and taken to the hospital in Davenport yesterday, according to WQAD-TV. She sustained possible life-threatening injuries, and her condition is unknown. MORAVIA, IA (IRN) – A Moravia teacher has resigned amid allegations of drinking and driving while chaperoning students during a trip. WHO-TV reports the alleged incident happened while a group of 20 Moravia High School seniors were traveling to Tampa Bay, Florida. Students say the teacher was running red lights, jumping over curbs, and going between 30-90 miles per hour on the interstate outside the Tampa airport. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The streets of downtown Des Moines will be filled with music, thanks to the City Sounds Public Piano Project. WOI-TV reports the group placed 10 pianos downtown Tuesday, and the public is invited to use them. On Saturday, free concerts will be held at each of the pianos to celebrate the season.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – A television reporter is facing the threat of jail after allegedly violating an order not to take video of “The Bachelor” star Chris Soules appearing in court in his hit-and-run case. KCCI-TV reports prosecutors are pursuing contempt of court proceedings against KWWL reporter Elizabeth Amanieh in what could be the first such case against an Iowa journalist in decades. She faces up to a $500 fine and 180 days in jail. Prosecutors say a judge told Amanieh she couldn’t take video and that only photos would be permitted. STOCKTON, IA (IRN) – The Iowa State Patrol reports a trooper stopped a driver going 144 mph on Interstate 80 last week. It happened near Stockton. A patrol spokesperson says “a dark, open road is no excuse for high speed.” CHARLES CITY, IA (IRN) – Another Democrat has joined the race to become Iowa’s governor. WHO-TV reports Rep. Todd Prichard officially launched his campaign this morning in his hometown of Charles City. Prichard joins fellow candidates Nate Boulton, Rich Leopold, Andy McGuire, and Jon Neiderbach. Businessman Fred Hubbell is also considering a run for governor. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds says she’s decided whether she will appoint a lieutenant governor when she replaces Gov. Terry Branstad, but she won’t disclose details yet. KCCI-TV reports Democratic Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller released an opinion that Reynolds will have the title and powers of governor, but not the authority to choose a new lieutenant governor. Republicans have criticized Miller’s opinion, calling it a political move. DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – A motorcyclist and their passenger were injured after colliding with a car in Davenport, according to WQAD-TV. Witnesses say the car didn’t stop at a stop sign and cut in front of the motorcycle. The driver of the car fled the scene. Both on the motorcycle were hospitalized. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Des Moines police are investigating after one man was shot Sunday near a boat ramp at Prospect Park. WHO-TV reports the victim said he and his father were in the park smoking marijuana when a male in his early 20’s approached them and shot him in the stomach. The victim’s injuries are not considered life-threatening. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Many of us have a fear of heights. Danny Grimes, a junior at Iowa City West High School, isn’t one of them. KGAN-TV reports Grimes turned 18 in April, and one of his birthday wishes — going skydiving — is now a reality. Grimes, who is blind, hopes to inspire others with vision impairments to pursue their dreams. Grimes says, “It’s not about skydiving–people with vision impairments just need to know that they can do anything–that nothing can stop them.”