Native American activists built a sweat lodge in Sioux City which they hope will inspire people to seek out the healing they need to get well from alcoholism, domestic abuse and trauma. The small hut is made of willow tree limbs, nestled on a field next to War Eagle Park. Calvin Harlan, with the … [Read more...]
Northwest Iowa man pleads guilty to stealing $479,297 from Graettinger church
The former treasurer of a northwest Iowa church has pleaded guilty to stealing nearly half-a-million dollars from the church. The theft occurred over a 13 year period. Sixty-five-year-old Andrew Matheason of Graettinger was the treasurer at Bethel Lutheran Church in Graettinger. … [Read more...]
Muslim Iowa girls are offered sports hijabs to encourage activity
An eastern Iowa non-profit group is offering sports hijabs to help Muslim girls stay active. Starting this fall, the organization Girls On The Run will supply the athletic versions of the Muslim headscarf to girls who request them. Executive director Kelly Teeselink says coaches want to … [Read more...]
Southern Iowa Catholic priest suspended after hearing
Allegations of unwanted sexual advances have led to the suspension of a Catholic priest in southern Iowa. Catholic Diocese of Des Moines Bishop Richard Pates says he took the action immediately after hearing the allegations on Wednesday and he notified police in Chariton. A statement from … [Read more...]
It’s reunion weekend at the Little Brown Church in the Vale
A tiny church in northeast Iowa will welcome around 150 couples for its annual marriage reunion celebration this weekend. The Little Brown Church in the Vale, near Nashua in Chickasaw County, has hosted the event on the first weekend in August for decades, though the structure itself is more than … [Read more...]
Des Moines Catholic Diocese shows off renovated historic building
An open house was held Sunday to celebrate the completed rehabilitation of one of Iowa's architectural gems. The building at 601 Grand Avenue in Des Moines was designed by Mies van der Rohe. The glass-and-steel structure, completed in 1962, has served as the headquarters for the Diocese of Des … [Read more...]
Postville religious community to mark the 10th anniversary of the Agriprocessors immigration raid
Saturday marks the 10th anniversary of the federal immigration raid on the then Agriprocessors kosher meat processing plant in Postville. Some of the people who were in the northeast Iowa town talked with reporters about their view of the raid that day. It still holds strong feelings for Sister … [Read more...]
Appeals Court reverses invasion of privacy convictions of Council Bluffs St. Albert chaplain
The Iowa Court of Appeals has reversed the invasion of privacy convictions of a priest in Pottawattamie County. Father Paul Monahan, who was the school chaplain for Council Bluffs St. Albert Catholic School, was convicted by a judge of 5 counts of invasion of privacy after teenage boys testified he … [Read more...]
Supreme Court hears arguments in Pella church exploitation case
The Iowa Supreme Court heard arguments today in a lawsuit over sexual exploitation by a pastor in Pella. Former Pastor Patrick Edouard was found guilty of sexual exploitation by a counselor in 2012. Valerie and Anne Bandstra, two of the victims, are asking the Supreme Court to allow them to sue the … [Read more...]
Hindu cleric prays for illumination during invocations at Iowa capitol
A Hindu cleric delivered the opening prayers in both the Iowa House and Senate today. Rajan Zed read scriptures from Sanskrit, followed by the English translation of the prayers. "We meditate on transcendental glory of the diety supreme who's inside the heart of the Earth, inside the life of the … [Read more...]