Iowa Radio News

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Sexual Abuse Hotline and other programs that provide support to survivors of violence are being eliminated in response to federal and state cuts to victim services, according to the Des Moines Register. The Republican-controlled Iowa Legislature voted earlie this year to cut state funding to victim services by 26 percent. SIOUX CITY, IA (IRN) – A Sioux City woman has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for forcing another vehicle off the road and stealing the occupant’s purse. The Sioux City Journal reports that 42-year-old Stephanie Dunscomb used her vehicle to force another vehicle off the road, then approached the victim’s vehicle. She reached through a partially open window to open the door and steal the victim’s purse. Police soon found Dunscomb’s vehicle broken down with the victim’s purse inside it. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Des Moines police are investigating an overnight drive-by shooting. WHO-TV reports a witness reported seeing three shots fired into a home. Then, another person down the street fired at the car as it was driving away. Authorities found shell casings at the scene, but don’t believe anyone was hit. WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – Waterloo police have arrested two men in connection to a string of smash and grabs at businesses. KCRG-TV reports 47-year-old John Bennett and 25-year-old Cody Laughlin face multiple charges, and are accused of ramming stolen vehicles into several businesses. In one burglary they used a forklift to ram into a drive-through ATM, used a grinder to cut open that ATM and take money out of it, and then dumped it in a creek. WAVERLY, IA (IRN) – A nearly century-old barn was destroyed Sunday in a fire in Waverly. KWWL-TV reports witnesses say even though the barn was old, it still served its purpose, holding equipment, hay and pigs. Fire crews say everything inside the barn was destroyed and they are not sure if the pigs made it out. DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – For more than 100 years, some Quad City veterans have lain in unmarked graves. WQAD-TV reports Saturday they finally received long-overdue recognition at a ceremony. Kory Darnall and Coky Powers have spent the past year identifying 21 veterans who are buried at City Cemetery in Davenport without headstones. They then applied to the Veterans Administration for government-provided headstones.They will be installed over the next two months.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Fast food restaurant chain Chipotle Mexican Grill announced Friday that credit card information from thousands of customers may have been stolen by hackers through malware found in the point-of-sale devices in hundreds of its restaurants. Data from across the country may have been compromised, including that from 11 restaurants in Iowa. KINGSLEY, IA (IRN) – 2,400 hogs were killed in a massive fire near Kingsley in northwestern Iowa Friday. KTIV reports firefighters found the large confinement building completely engulfed in flames, and part of the roof had caved in. Hog farmer Keith Harvey was the only one in the facility when the fire started near a motor in a fan housing. It took only about 10 minutes from his discovery of the fire for the roof to begin caving. CHARLES CITY, IA (IRN) – Two Cedar Rapids minors are facing criminal charges after a high speed chase where speeds exceeded 120 mph in northern Iowa. KIMT-TV reports a Floyd County deputy tried to stop a vehicle that had been reported stolen and it sped away. Stop sticks were used, and after a brief foot chase the juveniles were apprehended. They are charged with first degree theft, eluding, carrying weapons, and possession of drug paraphernalia. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Greater Des Moines Soap Box Derby is up and running again after thieves stole nearly $15,000 worth of equipment. WHO-TV reports the equipment included timers, scales, computers, PA equipment, and cars for those children who couldn’t afford to build their own. The community has raised over $5,000 and is still a few thousand short of being able to replace everything that was taken. However, kids were able to race Saturday.

CEDAR RAPIDS (IRN) – President Donald Trump has canceled a rally in Iowa next week, citing an unforeseen change in the president’s schedule. The rally was scheduled to take place Thursday in Cedar Rapids. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A fourth person has died of injuries received in a fire at the multiple story Eddy apartment building in Des Moines. One of the victims was a 57-year-old woman, the other a 71-year old-man, and the other two are still unknown. One of the other victims’ identities will not be known for some time because police must do DNA testing to identify who it is. The building had no sprinkler system. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A mobile home was destroyed by fire Friday night just south of the Des Moines Airport. KCCI-TV reports a woman in the home says she heard a pop, then saw flames. She was transported to a hospital with burns. A cat was also rescued. BLACK HAWK COUNTY, (IRN) – The Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Mississippi man after complaints of door-to-door sales without permits. KWWL-TV reports 25-year-old Ricky Woodall was arrested Thursday for violation of the transient merchant act. Complaints said that Woodall was at first friendly, and started cleaning immediately when the door was answered. When people didn’t purchase the cleaning product, he became aggressive. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Walmart announced Friday it has hired more than 2,000 veterans in the state of Iowa since introducing its Veterans Welcome Home Commitment in 2013. The commitment guarantees a job offer to any eligible, honorably discharged U.S. veteran. With a goal to hire 250,000 veterans nationwide by the end of 2020, Walmart has since hired more than 170,000, and more than 22,000 have been promoted.

POLK COUNTY, IA (IRN) – The trial of a Bondurant man charged with the murders of his family has been scheduled. 21-year-old Chase Nicholson will go to trial July 17 for the murders of his father, mother, and sister. Nicholson’s parents Mark and Charla, and sister Tawni, were found dead in their home on April 6th. He has admitted to using a shotgun to kill them. MASON CITY, IA (IRN) – A North Iowa man has been accused of stealing from his employer, according to KIMT-TV. 31-year-old Joel Phillip Pals of Belmond was arrested Wednesday and charged with 2nd degree theft and two counts of forgery. Police say he created false sales contracts while working as a salesman for Advanced Systems Inc. in Mason City. He also allegedly forged customer signatures on two occasions, resulting in thefts of over $5,400. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A fire in a multiple story apartment building in Des Moines killed three people Thursday, and others suffered serious injuries. KCCI-TV reports it’s unclear what caused the fire, but officials say the blaze was strongest near the top of the apartments. Fire crews rescued ten people trapped in the building. DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – A teacher who’s worked with the Dubuque School District for nearly 20 years is now on paid leave following his arrest. KCRG-TV reports 46-year-old Douglas Spahn faces charges of possessing marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Spahn says he uses marijuana to treat his back pain. He’s a wellness teacher and football coach at Hempstead High School. OMAHA, NE (IRN) – Iowa tight end Noah Fant, a Nebraska native, was threatened with a handgun in a park in Omaha, according to KETV. The 19-year-old Fant said someone pointed a gun at him and demanded he leave the area. Police later saw an intoxicated Matthew Trimble run into his garage when he saw a police cruiser. Trimble admitted confronting Fant, and has been charged with terroristic threats and having a gun in a prohibited place. HAMBURG, IA (IRN) – On August 21 there will be a total solar eclipse in the midwest. The eclipse will be less than total across much of Iowa. However, WHO-TV reports the total eclipse can be viewed from a small triangle of southwest Iowa in Hamburg. In Nebraska and Missouri they are preparing to welcome lots of visitors who want to experience a total eclipse. That’s not the case in Hamburg, where residents say it will be business as usual.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Gov. Kim Reynolds has designated an “acting” Lt. Gov. with full scope and title to operate the office but, will not be in line of succession. KCCI-TV reports Public Defender Adam Gregg, of Johnston, is her choice. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – President Trump’s new budget calls for a 21%, $4.7 billion cut to USDA programs. Over ten years, it would cut the crop insurance program by nearly $29 billion. The budget is drawing criticism. Crop insurers say the cuts to insurance would make it more difficult for farmers to bounce back. Senator Chuck Grassley says “the President proposes, Congress disposes. And ultimately Congress will write the budget. Not the President.” DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A child was struck by a vehicle in Des Moines yesterday, according to KCCI-TV. The 8-year-old girl ran out into traffic and was struck by a truck. A nurse on scene attended to the injured child, who was later taken to Blank Children’s Hospital. She is being treated for serious injuries. DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – One person was killed in a motorcycle crash in Dubuque, according to KCRG-TV. The motorcyclist hit a parked car. An investigation is underway. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Fake food inspectors are scamming ethnic restaurants in Iowa. The Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals reports the scam involves people posing as food inspectors who promise restaurant owners a renewed license in exchange for a $5 payment by credit card. Their credit card information is then stolen. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – President Donald Trump is coming to Iowa. The Trump-Pence Campaign committee announced yesterday that President Trump will hold a rally in Cedar Rapids on Thursday, June 1st. It’s Trump’s second trip to Iowa since winning the White House. He held a victory rally in Des Moines in December, one month after the election.