Iowa Radio News

CLINTON COUNTY – Three children were killed in a rear-end crash along Highway 30 in Clinton County Monday. The Iowa State Patrol reports a Jeep Grand Cherokee was stationary in the outside lane of the U.S. Highway just after 9 a.m. for an unknown reason, and was rear-ended by a 2023 Dodge Ram tow truck. Three children under the age of five lost their lives according to the Clinton Herald, and were occupants in the stationary jeep — none of whom were wearing a seat belt, according to the report. The crash remains under investigation. Three other injuries were reported to adults. WINNESHIEK COUNTY – Investigators are looking into why a tractor and train collided Monday afternoon, resulting in one death. WHO-13 reports the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office responded to the crash at 2:32 p.m. along Highway 24. The collision resulted in a fatality. IOWA – Iowa experienced another week of dry and windy conditions, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s weekly report. Corn and soybean harvest continued to be the primary field activities for the week. Combine and other equipment fires were reported as weather conditions increased the risk of such fires. Topsoil moisture condition rated 22 percent very short, 42 percent short, 36 percent adequate and 0 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 16 percent very short, 44 percent short, 39 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Corn maturation reached 90 percent, six days behind last year but 5 days ahead of the five-year average. Corn harvested for grain reached 22 percent. Livestock water resources continue to be a concern.

IOWA – A dry streak will likely continue deeper into October after at least one record high was reported to the National Weather Service Saturday. Many Iowans experienced highs around 90 degrees over the weekend, which included the record for October 5th in Cedar Rapids, breaking a 61 year old mark of 89. Long term forecasts continue to show well-above average warmth and well below average precipitation expected to last through the remainder of the month. NEVADA – A Nevada, Iowa man was arrested for excessive speed on Saturday, claiming he “wanted to have a little fun” while topping 144 MPH. WHO-13 reports the Iowa State Patrol was working on a speed project near Ankeny. Thomas Peterson was allegedly traveling more than twice the speed limit on Interstate 35. AMES – A white-out crowd cheered on the Iowa State Cyclones Saturday, with the football program off to arguably its best start in school history. Following a 43-21 victory over Baylor, Iowa State was voted in as the #11 team in the nation by the Associated Press. Their 5-0 undefeated start is the school’s best since 1980.

DES MOINES— Gov. Kim Reynolds ordered all flags in Iowa to be lowered to half-staff immediately on Monday, October 7, and remain at half-staff until sunset, to honor 1,200 lives lost – including at least 40 Americans – in the attacks committed against Israel. Seven known American hostages are still being held by the terror group. Flags will be flown 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.      IOWA – Several thermometers are set to top 90 degrees today across the state, according to the National Weather Service. The warmth will come with sustained winds of 25 to 30 MPH, with gusts up to 40 MPH possible. Fire danger will be elevated and burning is not encouraged throughout most of Iowa, especially with drought spreading.

DES MOINES COUNTY – A Mediapolis woman was killed in a collision with a semi on Highway 34 Wednesday afternoon. The Iowa State Patrol reports 87-year-old Marilyn Drebenstedt was stopped near a no u-turn sign and began backing up onto the highway. A semi traveling westbound on the four-lane highway hit the Kia Sorento on the drivers side in the attempt to turn around. Drebenstedt died from her injuries. MADISON COUNTY – An investigation is underway for the death of a Saint Charles man involved in an apparent logging incident. KCCI-TV reports 74-year-old Leon Nazworthy was found unresponsive in a rural part of Madison County. The county sheriff’s office believes Nazworthy was clearing timber by himself on Tuesday, but the exact cause of death was unknown at the time of response. IOWA – Severe drought has returned to a pocket of the state, and dry conditions are expected to continue well into October. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor Report shows Harrison and Monona Counties are now rated D2 on the scale showing severity of drought. Up to 23% of the state is now in some form of drought, with 94% rated as abnormally dry. According to the National Weather Service, very little rain — if any, is expected at least over the next two weeks. IOWA – The greatest athlete in Iowa Women’s Basketball history has already etched her name into the record books as a pro. Caitlin Clark was named the WBNA Rookie of the Year, one vote shy of unanimous honors for the 2024 season. The WBNA started just weeks after the conclusion of the NCAA season, when Clark swept all National Player of the Year Honors. Clark led the Fever to the playoffs in her debut season and broke several WBNA records, including most assists in a season and in a single game, and scored the most points and made the most three pointers of any league rookie ever to play.

IOWA – Governor Kim Reynolds has announced a new lieutenant governor won’t be appointed until after the November election. The Des Moines Register reports the governor made the comments during a press conference that followed a ten day trip to India. Adam Gregg stepped down from the Lt. Governor role on September 3rd. He was appointed to the position in 2017 and elected as Reynolds’ running mate in 2018 and 2022. IOWA – Drivers are reminded to stay vigilant on Iowa’s roadways this fall. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says autumn deer behavior during crop harvest raises the risk for collisions. From the middle of October until the third week of November, Iowa bucks become more active in the pursuit of does during the breeding season. Motorists may be distracted by the first deer that crosses, not seeing the pursuing buck. This adds to multiple scenarios of fast moving, unpredictable deer crossing highways. The crop harvest is already in full swing, concentrating deer into remaining cover that is often brushy creeks, trees or fence lines which often intersect with roads. A third factor will be the change away from daylight savings time on November 3, placing more Iowans behind the wheel during the deer-heavy dawn and dusk periods. DES MOINES – March Madness will return to central Iowa in 2028. KCCI-TV reports that the NCAA announced on Wednesday that the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament returns to Des Moines at Wells Fargo Arena. The metro will host the first and second rounds, which welcomes eight teams for six games. Des Moines has been a regular stop for the NCAA, hosting the best basketball teams in the country in 2016, 2019, and 2023. Drake University is listed as the host, meaning the Cyclones, Hawkeyes, or UNI Panthers could all potentially play in their home state.