Florida priest accused of abuse in Dubuque in the 1980’s
The Archbishop of the Dubuque Catholic Diocese says a priest has been charged with sexual abuse that allegedly occurred during his time in Iowa. A statement from Archbishop Thomas Zinkula says Father Leo Riley has been charged in Florida with five counts of...
Pottawattamie County spokesman: monetary donations best way to help Minden recover
Four people were injured and one of them died after an EF-2 tornado tore through a good portion of Pottawattamie County. County Public Relations Manager Craig Carlsen says the town of Minden was the hardest hit. "The conditions inside Minden are still very unsafe....
Red Cross responders are deployed across Iowa’s tornado-torn areas
Emergency responders are stretched thin after Friday's severe storms spun off at least 17 tornadoes in Iowa, damaging dozens of homes and claiming a life in Minden. Josh Murray, communications director for the American Red Cross - Nebraska-Iowa Region, says it was a...
Two charged in death of Fort Dodge man
Two suspects are now charged in connection with the murder of a man whose body was found in a Webster County ditch on Friday by a letter carrier. Webster County Sheriff's deputies reported they located a dead male suffering from what appeared to a gunshot wound. The...
Iowa’s tornado tally from Friday reaches 17, may go even higher
The experts say at least 17 tornadoes touched down in Iowa on Friday afternoon and evening, including perhaps a half-dozen that are classified as EF2s, with winds up to 135 miles an hour. Meteorologist Craig Cogil, at the National Weather Service, says it may be...
Tornadoes tore through Iowa Friday, an injured man has died
A man who was injured when a tornado struck Minden on Friday has died. Officials say about 50 homes in the western Iowa community of Minden were destroyed by Friday's tornado and dozens more were damaged. First responders found an unconscious man in the aftermath and...
Iowa writer’s book focuses on growing up Mexican-American in the heartland
A Latino author from Iowa City is publishing a book of short stories about a boy who's coming of age in a blue-collar, predominately white Midwestern town in the late 1960s. Mario Duarte, a graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop, says the main character's experiences...
Hinton wrestlers, parents sue school alleging abuse
Two northwest Iowa wrestlers and their families have filed a lawsuit against the Hinton Community School District, coaches, and staff saying their actions led to an abusive sports program. Des Moines Attorney Alison Kanne is representing the wrestlers and their...
Students get a look at Air National Guard jobs in Sioux City
High school students got a chance to explore careers with the Iowa National Guard's 185th Air Wing Thursday. Tech Sergeant Adam Allen is one of the guard's recruiters. "They get a chance to come and talk to individuals to do the jobs every day. Everything that we can...
Speaker says House GOP to seek UI, ISU, UNI tuition caps
Speaker Pat Grassley says if Republicans retain control of the Iowa House after the November election, they'll push to limit tuition increases at the three state universities. This spring, House Republicans proposed a 3% cap on future tuition increases, but it did not...
Supreme Court rules in favor of UI in Children’s Hospital construction dispute
The Iowa Supreme Court has reversed a multi-million dollar judgment in a dispute involving the construction of the University of Iowa Children's Hospital. Modern Piping was awarded nearly $13 million after alleging the UI wrongly benefited from an injunction to delay...
Law lets police check for minors inside vape shops, tobacco retailers
Starting July 1, police won't have to get a warrant to enter vape shops and stores that sell tobacco products and let customers use the products in the store. The change is included in a bill that passed the legislature and has been signed into law by the governor....
Singer with ‘Iowa roots’ has dual role in Michael Jackson musical (AUDIO)
A performer who splits his time between New York and L.A. will be back the state he considers home as the new Michael Jackson musical "MJ" makes its Iowa debut next week. Actor, singer and dancer Josh Dawson was born in Atlanta but moved to Cedar Rapids with his...
Iowa water conditions still not favorable for kayaks, canoes
We're more than a month into spring and the experts say Iowans who are itching to get on the open water with their kayaks and canoes may want to wait a little longer for safety's sake. Iowa DNR conservation officer Nate Carr says with rain expected today and through...
Fines to double for illegally driving through quiet zone railroad crossings
Fines will be increasing for motorists caught ignoring crossing gates and flashing lights and illegally driving across railroad tracks in 21 Iowa locations called "quiet zones." Trains approaching railroad crossings in these zones are not required to sound the horn,...
UI, ISU, UNI presidents detail cuts in DEI programs
The presidents of the three state universities say they're making progress on the directive by the Board of Regents to cut Diversity Equity and Inclusion efforts not necessary for accreditation or compliance. University of Iowa president, Barbara Wilson, says their...
DCI says no foul play suspected in Wall Lake trucker’s death
The Iowa DCI has released preliminary autopsy results on the body discovered in Sac County Wednesday. The autopsy says the State Medical Examiner used dental records to positively identify the body as that of 53-year-old David Schultz of Wall Lake. Schultz's body was...
Iowa housing market movement looks to be back where it was before COVID
The Iowa Association of Realtors report for March shows buyers had more homes to choose from. The Association's statewide housing analyst Les Sulgrove says that's important. "Listing inventory is up about 25% over the same time a year ago in fact you know the first of...
Grassley: Pentagon workers spent millions of pandemic dollars on personal expenses
Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is firing new criticism at the Pentagon after an audit found tens of thousands of incidents where government workers inappropriately used federal pandemic dollars for personal expenses. Grassley, a Republican, says it's a "slap in the face...
After missing Iowa trucker’s body found, wife says: ‘Things don’t add up.’
The body of a missing northwest Iowa trucker has been found a mile and a half from where his truck was found abandoned in November. The wife of 53-year-old David Schultz of Wall Lake says she suspects foul play in his death. Sarah Schultz spoke this morning at a news...
Western Iowa Tech to pay millions to students to settle lawsuit
Western Iowa Tech Community College in Sioux City has reached a settlement with international students who accused the school of human trafficking. The school's board of directors has approved a three-million-dollar payment to 13 students from Chile who filed a...
$18.8 million workforce housing development planned in Spirit Lake
A nearly $19 million housing project in Spirit Lake will be built a few blocks from a manufacturing facility that employs 750. The Polaris plant in Spirit Lake produces Victory motorcycles and Polaris RANGER utility vehicles. Robert Smith of Talon Development says...
Body of missing northwest Iowa trucker found
The body of a missing northwest Iowa truck driver has been found. Fifty-three-year-old David Schultz of Wall Lake was reported missing in November. His truck and its contents were found parked on a highway in Sac County. His wife told KCCI TV that her husband's body...
A stormy weekend is ahead with severe weather possible
Whatever your weekend plans, Iowans are being warned they'll need to keep an eye on the weather, as severe storms may be moving in soon. Meteorologist Andrew Ansorge, at the National Weather Service, says we'll have scattered rain showers and a few thunderstorms...
Iowa scientist thrilled NASA regains link with distant Voyager spacecraft
A research scientist in the Physics and Astronomy Department at the University of Iowa is delighted NASA engineers were able to reestablish communication with the Voyager 1 spacecraft, which has flown further into space than any human-made object. Dr. Bill Kurth says...
Project to map Iowa’s shallow groundwater resources
The Iowa legislature has set aside $250,000 to start developing accurate maps of Iowa's underground water resources. State geologist Keith Schilling is director of the Iowa Geological Survey, the agency that will develop the maps of shallow groundwater supplies....
Man found dead in Harrison County identified
The Iowa DCI has identified the man found dead Sunday in Harrison County. The State Medical Examiner says the man is 53-year-old Douglas Manley of Missouri Valley, and determined he was beaten to death. Twenty-two-year-old Sebastin O'Brien, of Little Sioux was...
Update on wind farm planned in three northwest Iowa counties
Developers of a northwest Iowa wind farm plan to erect 18 turbines in Emmet County. The Red Rock Wind Energy Center project is being scaled back in neighboring Dickinson County, though, as officials consider changes to Dickinson County's wind turbine ordinance. Joe...
Waterloo wants to convert former Rath building into senior apartments
The city Waterloo is planning to convert a long vacant Rath meatpacking plant building into almost 90 affordable apartments for seniors. Waterloo City Administrator Noel Anderson says that could free up many single-family homes for first-time homebuyers, and could...
Big Ten moving to 30-game conference baseball slate
Iowa baseball coach Rick Heller says the Big Ten will move to a 30-game conference schedule next year when the league adds USC, UCLA, Washington and Oregon. The Big Ten currently has an eight week, 24-game schedule. Beginning next year the Hawkeyes will play 10...
Lung Association’s ‘State of the Air’ report largely positive for Iowa
The American Lung Association's annual "State of the Air" report finds positive trends in air quality in two Iowa metros. "Des Moines is actually listed on the 'cleanest cities' list," said Kristina Hamilton, director of advocacy for American Lung Association of Iowa....
Community orchard project is taking root in Dubuque
In honor of Arbor Day, community leaders in Dubuque will break ground Saturday on what will eventually grow to become a community orchard. Laura Roussell, executive director of Dubuque Trees Forever, says they'll plant a few fruit trees this weekend with plans to add...
Purple Stride event aims to raise money, awareness for pancreatic cancer
One of the world's most deadly forms of cancer is the focus of an event in central Iowa this weekend that will gather survivors from across the state, as well as advocates and loved ones of those who've died from it. The Purple Stride Iowa walk will be held Saturday...
Lawmakers approve funding for new ‘Thrive Iowa’ program
The Iowa Legislature has approved up to $8 million for the new "Thrive Iowa" program Governor Kim Reynolds proposed, to link people in need with faith-based and private sector groups that can help. It's modeled after a similar program in Florida. In January, Reynolds...
Saturday is National Drug Take Back Day
The National Drug Take Back Day is this weekend. Sioux City Police Sergeant Tom Gill says it's a good way to safely dispose of your unneeded prescription drugs. "We do one in the spring and one in the fall. So this year for the spring drug take-back day it's going to...
Penalties for trespassing to hunt in Iowa are going up
The fines for trespassing in order to hunt deer will go up significantly July 1. The law -- and the fines -- have been expanded to include trespassing to hunt any wildlife. The trespasser can be arrested and officers will be able to confiscate animals from hunters who...
Mason City breaks ground on major bike park, first of its kind in the Midwest
Ground was broken this morning on Mason City’s Destination Iowa bike park project. City Administrator Aaron Burnett says a grassroots effort from a local organization turned into a state-funded project with help from a $4.5-million Destination Iowa grant. Burnett says...
Crop planting slowed last week by rain
Farmers got the rain they'd been hoping for last week, but it cut down on the time they could be planting. The U.S.D.A. crop report shows there were only three days suitable for fieldwork due to the weather. Corn planting hit 13% complete by the end of the week -- up...
Iowa’s Brecht honored by B1G
Iowa junior pitcher Brody Brecht has been named the Big Ten Co-Pitcher of the Week.. The honor is the third Big Ten weekly honor of his career and second for the Hawkeyes this season. Brecht shares the award with Jacob Denner of Michigan. The Ankeny, Iowa, native...
12 Kossuth County Libraries face deep budget cuts
Libraries in Kossuth County are facing nearly $200,000 in budget cuts. Kossuth County Library Association president Lany Mitchell said that cut in county funding means each of the county's 12 libraries will get about $7000 in county support during the next fiscal...
Iowa legislature approves permits for teens to drive to and from work
Teens as young as 14 and a half could get a permit to drive to and from work if a bill headed to the governor becomes law. It would be similar to school permits that let 14 and 15 year olds legally drive to and from school as well as to school activities. If the bill...
Almost one-third of Iowa food bank’s stockpile is rescued food
A new study by the Iowa Food Bank Association finds more than 27-million pounds of food was "rescued" last year by the six Feeding America food banks that serve Iowa. Annette Hacker, spokeswoman for the Des Moines-based Food Bank of Iowa, says an astounding amount of...
Iowa State Fair leader preparing for his second year
Iowa State Fair CEO Jeremy Parsons is preparing for his second event after taking over the top job last year. "You know last year when I came in I really got to take advantage of the great staff and the fact that my predecessor Gary Slater had a lot of those details...
Major upgrades planned at popular state park in north-central Iowa
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is announcing plans for a $2.2-million upgrade at a popular park in north-central Iowa. The DNR's Jacob Schaben says the Brushy Creek State Recreational Area covers 6,500 acres of Webster County and it's a proven destination...
Rollover crash near Modale leads to arrest — for murder
The investigation into a weekend rollover accident in western Iowa has resulted in a man's arrest for murder, with more charges pending. Twenty-two-year-old Sebastin O'Brien, of Little Sioux, was arrested for murder in the first-degree in connection with the death of...
Ed Podolak leaving Hawkeye radio booth
Long-time Iowa football color analyst Ed Podolak is transitioning out of the Hawkeye football radio booth as color commentator. “I have decided that this is a good time for me to step back from my role as color commentator for the Hawkeye football radio broadcasts,”...
Governor signs bill giving Iowa schools with armed staff qualified immunity
Governor Kim Reynolds has signed a bill into law that lets school boards choose to have teachers and other staff volunteer to carry a gun on school grounds. Lawmakers who worked on the bill say at least 20 school districts have been planning to take that step. A 2021...
Mississippi River bridge at Lansing reopens to traffic
This morning's commute was a lot faster for some northeast Iowans. The Black Hawk Bridge over the Mississippi River at Lansing reopened over the weekend, connecting Lansing with Crawford County, Wisconsin. The bridge had to be closed in late February after two piers...
Tree plantings, milkweed giveaways highlight Earth Day at the UI
If you were to try counting all of the trees on the University of Iowa campus on this Earth Day, you'd need to be able to count to eight-thousand. The man who leads the team that cares for them all realizes he's one of the lucky people who's found the perfect job for...
FTC chair hears concerns over sale of Iowa fertilizer plant
The chair of the Federal Trade Commission was in Iowa this weekend to hear concerns about consolidation in the fertilizer industry with the sale of a fertilizer plant in southeast Iowa. A Koch Industries subsidiary is buying the plant, but the sale is being reviewed...