Iowa Radio News

IOWA – Row crop harvest was ahead of normal as Iowa’s farmers had nearly a full seven days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending October 27, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities included harvesting corn and soybeans, completing fall tillage, and applying fall fertilizer. Topsoil moisture condition rated 43 percent very short, 42 percent short, and 15 percent adequate. Corn harvest for grain reached 84 percent statewide, almost a week ahead of last year and 12 days ahead of the five-year average. South central Iowa farmers still have 34 percent of their corn for grain remaining to harvest, while farmers have already harvested 91 percent in north central Iowa. IOWA – The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed the death of a middle-aged eastern Iowa resident from Lassa fever. The individual had recently returned from travel to West Africa, where it is believed they contracted the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working to confirm the diagnosis of Lassa fever. Initial testing was done at the Nebraska Public Health Laboratory on Monday. University of Iowa Health Care is where individual was receiving care, and the CDC and local public health partners are working to identify anyone who may have been in close contact with the patient, out of an abundance of caution, for monitoring. Though very rare, the virus can be transmitted from human to human contact through blood or bodily fluids. Approximately, 80% of those that contract Lassa fever have mild or no symptoms at all.

DES MOINES REGISTER – A person injured after being hit by a car last week has now died. The Des Moines Register reports several agencies responded to an incident on the afternoon of October 21st, where they found 67-year-old Sheila Kay Robert of Des Moines in critical condition. The Des Moines Police Department says she died on Friday. Police say a 2009 Chevorlet pickup struck the woman and that the investigation is ongoing. SCOTT COUNTY – A Scott County jury found an Iowa doctor liable for the death of a man four years ago. KCRG-TV reports that LeClaire resident Steve Schwarz underwent surgery on his neck, but died a few weeks later. A jury awarded a $1.6 million judgement to the family after finding Dr. Michelle Sprengelmeyer responsible, finding she failed to follow an order for Schwarz to receive antibiotics after the procedure. IOWA CITY – The Iowa Hawkeyes made an in-game switch at quarterback that seemed to fuel a 40-14 football victory over Northwestern on Saturday. On the same day WBNA Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark and the two-time National Runner Up basketball team returned to Kinnick Stadium, the Hawkeyes rallied behind Brendan Sullivan to earn their fifth win of the fall season. The Iowa State Cyclones were on a bye this weekend and remain the #11 team in the nation, according to the Associated Press.

IOWA – United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal, Southern District of Iowa, announced Friday that Assistant United States Attorney Amy Licht will lead the efforts of her office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5th.  AUSA Licht has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer for the Southern District of Iowa, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington. Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input.  IOWA – Senator Chuck Grassley announced $97 million in federal funding will be awarded to Iowa railroads and manufacturers to replace outdated transportation infrastructure, construct new bridges and support Iowa’s locomotive industry. The U.S. Department of Transportation will administer the awards through its CRISI program.  Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railway will receive $19,040,000 for railroad tie replacements along 56 miles of main line track from Cedar Rapids to Hills. Iowa Interstate Railroad, LLC will receive $29,883,200 for the design and construction of the Colfax and De Soto bridges in Iowa and Rock River and Atkinson bridges in Illinois. The new Colfax and De Soto bridges will support the rail shipment of large wind energy components. East Erie Commercial Rail will receive $48,412,512 for locomotive remanufacturing. The remanufactured diesel locomotives are made through sourcing components from facilities in Cedar Rapids and then reassembled in facilities in Albia, employing nearly 100 Iowans. 

WINTERSET – One person was died after she was hit by a vehicle while walking onto Interstate 80 in Madison County on Thursday morning. The Iowa State Patrol reports 45-year0old Mandy Wendlend of Omaha was a pedestrian walking along the interstate before entering the travel portion of the roadway. She was struck by a Ford Transit. She was pronounced dead on scene. IOWA – Drought continues to spread across the state as a prolonged dry spell continues deep into the fall. The latest national report shows 83% of the state is now at least in moderate drought, and all 99 counties are at least abnormally dry. The severe drought rating in the state is now nearly 1/5th of Iowa’s land. After spotty showers and thunderstorms impacted some Iowans this week, additional rain may be coming by the middle of next week, according to the National Weather Service. Mainly communities near Iowa City and Cedar Rapids received 1-2″ of rainfall late Thursday.DES MOINES – Casey’s General Stores is paying just over $18 million for the naming rights to the new “Casey’s Center.” The current Wells Fargo Arena will be renamed by July 1st, 2025. Casey’s will pay $18.3 million over 10 years, according to the Des Moines Register. The contract was approved this week by the Polk County Board of Supervisors.

IDA COUNTY – A pair of traffic fatalities were reported by the Iowa State Patrol in crashes on Wednesday. A single vehicle incident occurred in Poweshiek County, as a loaded dump truck was westbound on Highway 85 and had a tire fail. The driver, 52-year-old Christopher Hudnut of Logan, lost control and was ejected from the vehicle. He died from his injuries. A three-vehicle collision resulted in the death of a Holstein man in Ida County Wednesday evening. Twenty-nine year old Joshua Fowler was driving a Chevy 1500 and rear-ended a Grain Trailer, which also collied with a northbound semi tractor. Fowler died from his injuries and two juveniles were seriously injured, including a young girl who was flown by helicopter to a nearby hospital. IOWA – Two Iowa men were sentenced over the past week for federal child pornography charges. The U.S. Department of Justice reports 34-year-old Eduardo Ibarra Mora of Altoona will serve just under ten years in prison for possessing dozens of photos and videos of minors engaging in sexual conduct on his phone and social media. Thirty-two-year Old Devin Lee Ortiz of Davenport was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison on Wednesday. Ortiz had 550 images of child sexual abuse while residing at a residential reentry center in Davenport, where he was serving time following a 2013 conviction for lascivious acts with a child in Scott County. IOWA – Showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop late this afternoon and into the evening. According to the National Weather Service, a few strong storms are possible, with large hail being the main severe weather threat. A few areas over parts of central and southern Iowa may receive one inch or more of rainfall.