Iowa Radio News

IOWA – As part of House File 2681 passed during the 2024 legislative session, the Iowa DOT has the authority to approve or deny the use of automated traffic enforcement on Iowa roads. As a result of the law, all jurisdictions who were using, or wishing to use cameras on their roads were required to apply for a permit to the Iowa DOT by July 1st. The Iowa DOT received applications for 348 automated traffic enforcement locations from 28 jurisdictions. Of the 348 location applications received, 154 locations were approved and 194 were denied. A full list of locations, their status, and the reasoning, if they were denied, can be found at the Iowa DOT website. IOWA – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources released its first fall color report of 2024 this week. The annual update from the DNR highlights the best areas to see the annual changing of the leaves. For the vast majority of the state, the best viewing will take place in the middle of this month, with warmer weather delaying some of the color changes. The most vibrant areas right now are in northeast and southwest Iowa, according to the first report. IOWA – An Iowa native and co-host of the popular American Pickers TV show has died. KWQC-TV reports Frank Fritz died surrounded by family, friends, and co-star Mike Wolfe in Davenport Monday night. Fritz suffered a stroke in 2022 and faced several setbacks in recovery since. Wolfe starred on the History Channel show from 2010 to 2021, appearing in over 300 episodes. The show’s home store remains in LeClaire.

CERRO GORDO COUNTY – A Cedar Falls woman was killed in a two vehicle collision reported in Cerro Gordo County Sunday. The Iowa State Patrol says a Kia Forte driven by 29-year-old Adaisha DeAndra Allen was struck by a Ford Expedition operated by 59-year-old Julie Ann Mikkelsen at the intersection of County Roads S-14 and B-43. Allen died from her injuries and Mikkelsen was transported to a nearby hospital. HENRY COUNTY – A teenager was killed in Henry County late last week in a single vehicle incident. The Iowa State Patrol reports a Ford F-350 driven by a juvenile in New London suddenly turned on Friday night just before midnight. Two teenagers were thrown from the bed of the pickup during the crash. Sixteen-year-old Gavin Browning of New London died from his injuries. As of September 30th, the Iowa DOT reported 250 people had died on Iowa’s roadways. IOWA – Harvest season is in full swing, as farmers had nearly a full seven days of suitable fieldwork last week according to the latest report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In terms of soil moisture, the state continues to dry out after a record spring for rainfall, as now 59% of the state has short topsoil moisture and 55% is rated in the subsoil as dry. The vast majority of soybeans and corn are in fair or better condition, with only five percent rated poor or very poor. Eleven percent of the state’s corn is now harvested and 27% of soybeans are harvested as well.

IOWA – U.S. Representative Zach Nunn claims the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is looking into a complaint against a group of political operatives that allegedly recruited third party candidates to run in competitive house districts. The Des Moines Register reports Nunn told a crowed of Republicans over the weekend in Clive that he remains concerned about a report by the Associated Press that accused a group of recruiting spoilers in six races across the country. A complaint has been filed with the Federal Election Commission by Americans for Public Trust. DES MOINES – A group of veterans who died in Central Iowa are now resting at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery, according to KCCI-TV. The twenty former soldiers and five of their spouses were buried at a ceremony last Friday after decades of work to identify the group. The twenty-five people were cremated following their deaths years ago. Hundreds of attendees came out to the event last week. GRANGER – A group of Iowa golfers worked together Sunday to break a world record. WHO-13 reports 62 individuals gathered to play the fastest round of team golf in the Guinness Book of World Records at Jester Park in Granger. The group did it in 11 hours, 41 minutes — 14 minutes faster than a group in South Africa in 2022.

IOWA – Another dry week across most of the state has drought expanding. The latest national report now shows 10% of the state is in moderate conditions, up from 4% last week. Some heavier rain over the southern part of Iowa dropped off some abnormally dry, but at least 94% of the state remains short on moisture. An extended stretch of dry conditions is expected to last well into October, according to the National Weather Service. JOHNSTON – What could be one of the closest U.S. House races in the nation will have a debate before election day. Iowa PBS will host Iowa Press Debates: 1st Congressional District on Monday, October 21 at 8 p.m. at their studio in Johnston. Hosted by Iowa Press moderator Kay Henderson, candidates Christina Bohannan and U.S. Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks will answer questions from reporters and discuss their platforms, concerns and future plans. Henderson will moderate the debate with two Iowa political reporters.

FANHAMVILLE – Police identified the missing teenager found dead Monday in Farnhamville. The Iowa Department of Public Safety indicated 17-year-old Michele “Luna” Jackson was discovered in the early morning hours after a report she was gone on Sunday. Twenty-one year old Nathaniel Bevers-McGivney has now been charged with first degree murder and other related crimes in relation to Jackson’s death.PLYMOUTH COUNTY – A Hinton woman died in a crash at the intersection of U.S. 75 and County Road C70 in Plymouth County Wednesday morning. The Iowa State Patrol reports that a Chrysler Voyager driven by 64-year-old Joann Martin pulled in front of a semi to make a turn. Both vehicles crossed into the median and the semi was overturned. Martin was pronounced dead on scene. IOWA – Hawkeyes or Cyclones? While that’s annually settled on the athletic fields and courts each year, so too are the schools’ academic standing. The Des Moines Register reports U.S. News selected the University of Iowa in its top 100 colleges, while Iowa State University finds itself on a similar list published by the Wall Street Journal. Iowa was compared to schools in its region on the U.S. News list, where it places 98th. ISU is at 121 in for 2025.