(Des Moines, IA (via the IOWA CAPITAL DISPATCH) – Survivors of domestic violence will be able to receive free Ring door cameras through a partnership with the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Amazon, the Iowa Attorney General’s office announced Tuesday. Ring, owned by Amazon, has donated 1,000 Ring X Line Devices with lifetime subscriptions, in addition to a $25,000 monetary donation, to the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) to provide support for domestic violence victims.

Raquel Medrano, a program manager and community engagement lead for Amazon’s public policy team, said this donation is part of an ongoing effort from Amazon and Ring to provide support for domestic violence survivors, which started in 2021 when a Houston, Texas, organization reached out to the business requesting support.

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird said at the news conference the company has been working with national domestic abuse organizations for several years, but that as Ring has started to work with states directly through attorneys general in this effort, “I’m happy to say Iowa is one of the first.” Bird said her office has been working to expand victim assistance efforts, and the partnership with Ring will help victims and survivors feel safe at home.

Dr. Maria Corona, ICADV executive director, said the Ring devices are being distributed throughout the state through the organization’s network of 25 victim service providers on a first-come, first-served basis. She said these community nonprofits will work with domestic violence survivors to ensure that these Ring devices are incorporated effectively into individuals’ safety plans, providing “an added layer of security and peace of mind as they work to rebuild their lives and feel safer, whether it’s monitoring who approaches their home, having evidence if they need it, or simply feeling more secure in their own space.”

According to the ICADV’s Domestic Violence Homicide fact sheet, 88 Iowans were killed due to domestic violence between Oct. 1, 2021 and Sept. 30, 2024 — a figure that Corona called an “alarming and an unprecedented increase” in the rate of domestic violence deaths.

JOHNSTON, Iowa (KTIV) – Families across Iowa will be able to have nutritious protein during the coldest months of the year, thanks to a local grocery store chain. On Tuesday, Feb. 3, Fareway Stores, Inc. made a donation of more than 69,000 lbs. of ham, totaling about 5,504 individual hams, to Iowa food banks.

Fareway says the hams will be distributed through the following food bank partners:

• The Food Bank of Iowa, which is receiving 60% of the donated hams.
• Siouxland and River Bend Food Banks, each of which will receive 20% of the donated hams.

The donation itself includes a selection of products, including classic half-size hams, spiral hams, and full-size carver hams. More than 69,000 lbs of ham were donated by Fareway Stores, Inc. According to the company, Fareway hopes the donation not only fills plates across Iowa but also brings comfort, connection, and dignity to the households it reaches.

Fareway says the ham was donated to help feed Iowans who face food insecurity. The donation announcement took place at the Food Bank of Iowa, Tuesday.

(Radio Iowa)  A bill ready for debate in an Iowa House committee would direct the state universities to adopt a new tuition policy. Iowa residents who enter the University of Iowa, Iowa State University or the University of Northern Iowa would pay the same tuition rate for up to four years. Republican Representative Taylor Collins of Mediapolis says this sort of a tuition guarantee has been implemented in other states.

“It has even been implemented here in Iowa. Actually Drake University has had a tuition guarantee for a long time,” Collins said. “It’s really about providing certainty to students.” Tuition guarantee programs lock in at the tuition level during a student’s first year, ensuring they continue to pay the same rate through their undergraduate education.

“They can be assured they’re going to pay the same tuition rate throughout the four years of education,” Collins said. “Obviously there are some exceptions if you’re transferring and things like.” In 2024, the legislature passed a law last year requiring the board that governs the state universities to study how tuition guarantee programs have worked in other states.

The report was released last November and found some tuition limitations have been discontinued after economic downturns caused state funding to decrease. Collins says the Board of Regents’ concern is about having less money to operate the state universities. “But it’s not always about more money in the pockets of the universities,” Collins said. “This is about making sure we’re doing the right thing for Iowa students.”

Illinois is the only neighboring state that offers tuition guarantees to public university students. Collins is chair of the House Higher Education Committee. Last week, the panel approved a different bill calling for a five year tuition freeze at Iowa, Iowa State and U-N-I.

(Harlan, IA) – Officials with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, late Tuesday night, said dive teams found located several pieces of fishing gear, but no victim, after authorities received a report earlier in the day about abandoned fishing hear on  local lake, and concerns someone may have fallen through the ice.

At around 4:50-p.m., Tuesday, the Shelby County communications center was notified about the potential of someone who may have disappeared on the lake at Prairie Rose State Park. Local emergency responders were sent to the scene to assist Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in the search for a possible victim.

Authorities say responders searched the area for abandoned vehicles or any other sign of a fisherman. Harlan fire department Ice rescue team retrieved the gear and checked the area of the gear revealing an older hole in the ice. Rescue divers ( Midwest Regional Dive Team) were called in to search the area below the ice where they did locate several fishing items such as a heater and ice auger.

Officials said boot tracks were seen coming off the ice but all efforts of search and rescue were still performed with the unknown situation. As of the latest information, no one had been located in or near the water. If you have any information on the situation or may have partially fallen through and left your gear behind. Please contact the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office at 712-755-5026

Agencies assisting at the scene included the: Harlan, Denison, Walnut, Anita, Corning, and New Market Fire Departments; Iowa DNR; Iowa State Patrol; The Crawford, Shelby, and Audubon County Emergency Management Agencies; The Cass and Montgomery and Ringgold County Sheriff’s Departments; Shelby County EMS and countless other volunteer agencies.

DES MOINES, Iowa – A Marshalltown man was sentenced on January 30, 2026, to 16 years in federal prison for attempted receipt of child pornography, while on federal supervised release.

In September 2025, following a two-day trial, a jury convicted Cory Marvin Baker, 54, of attempted receipt of child pornography. According to public court documents and evidence presented at trial, Baker was on federal supervised release for a 2013 conviction for possession of child pornography in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. During an unannounced visit at Baker’s Marshalltown residence, United States Probation Officers conducted an authorized search of his bedroom and discovered a laptop, tablet, and cell phone. Baker was prohibited from possessing internet-capable devices, cameras, and cell phones without the approval of the Probation Office. A forensic examination of the seized electronic devices showed that Baker used the devices to search for child sexual abuse material.

In addition to his 2013 conviction for possession of child pornography, Baker was convicted in 2000 of sexual exploitation of a minor and possession of child pornography in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa.

Baker was ordered to serve an additional two-year prison sentence for violating his terms of supervised release. After completing his terms of imprisonment, Baker will be required to serve a 15-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations, Urbandale Police Department, and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigated the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

(Radio Iowa) – A 100-year-old woman in Cedar Rapids donated blood for the 51st time Monday while coordinating an ImpactLife blood drive at her church. Nadene Roberts turned 100 in December and helped coordinate the ImpactLife blood drive at Calvary Baptist Church in Cedar Rapids. She talked Monday with K-C-R-G T-V about why she gives blood.

“It’s just something that I feel like I need to do, because it’s needed so much,” Roberts said.

Roberts lives and drives on her own and makes it a goal to donate multiple times a year. Roberts says as long as she’s able, she plans to keep donating blood. There is no upper age limit for blood donation, according to ImpactLife. While many senior citizens are deferred due to health conditions, seniors can give blood as long as they meet donor requirements.

Donors can schedule appointments at ImpactLife centers or find blood drives by visiting www.bloodcenter.org or calling (800) 747-5401

Atlantic, IA – The February session of Healthy U will feature Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Ann Narmi. The presentation will take place on Thursday, February 19, at noon in Conference Room 2.

Dr. Narmi’s presentation will focus on women and heart disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States, accounting for one in every five female deaths. Understanding the signs and symptoms of heart disease and how they can present differently in men and women can help individuals recognize when to seek medical care.

After graduating from Creighton University School of Medicine, Dr. Narmi completed her residencies and a fellowship at Creighton. She is board-certified in both Cardiovascular Disease and Interventional Cardiology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. She provides care to patients in the Cass Health Specialty Clinic.

Space is limited. A free boxed lunch will be provided for all attendees, and reservations are required. To reserve your seat, call 712-243-7479. For more information about Healthy U, visit casshealth.org/healthyu.

ATLANTIC, IA – Officials with Cass Health in Atlantic, Tuesday (today) announced a new partnership with Above + Beyond Cancer, an Iowa‑based nonprofit dedicated to elevating the mind, body, and spirit of individuals impacted by cancer. Together, the organizations will expand access to evidence‑based programs designed to support cancer survivors, patients, and caregivers.

To celebrate the partnership and provide community members an opportunity to learn more, Cass Health will host an open house on Monday, February 16, from noon to 2 p.m. in Conference Room 2. Cancer survivors, patients, caregivers, and anyone impacted by cancer are all encouraged to attend.

Founded in 2011 by Oncologist Dr. Richard Deming, Above + Beyond Cancer offers a wide range of free programs. These include fitness classes, meditation, cycling, nutrition education, urban pole walking, book club, and a cancer education series. The Above + Beyond Cancer Hotel Program also provides free lodging for cancer patients in Iowa who must travel more than 50 miles to receive treatment.

Above + Beyond Cancer’s mission is to elevate the mind, body, and spirit of patients, survivors, and caregivers throughout the cancer journey—an effort that aligns closely with Cass Health’s commitment to supporting patients and the greater community.

Breda, Iowa – Feb 3, 2026 — FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Western Iowa Networks (WIN) is excited to announce the launch of their new Streaming TV Service, WINSpeedTV, now available to customers across the company’s entire service footprint.

Designed to make television easier and more flexible, WINSpeedTV allows customers to stream live TV instantly without complicated installations as traditional cable boxes are not required for every TV. The service works seamlessly with popular streaming devices, including Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV, giving customers the freedom to watch the way they want.

“WINSpeedTV brings together the channels our customers want, including locals, with a much simpler setup,” said Jeff Roiland, WIN CEO. “It’s a modern TV experience that pairs perfectly with our WINSpeed Fiber Internet and fits today’s viewing habits. This delivery now allows us to introduce TV service in our serving areas in Southwest Iowa as well.”

Customers across Western Iowa Networks’ entire footprint can learn more about WINSpeedTV and availability by visiting westianet.com/TV or calling or texting 712-775-2946.

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About Western Iowa Networks: Breda Telephone Corp. ~ d.b.a. Western Iowa Networks (WIN) ~ is a leading communications company based in Breda, IA. We are one of western Iowa’s largest independent telephone companies, and one of the area’s most diverse service providers. WIN was founded in 1905 as Breda Telephone Company and today provides telephone, Internet, cellular, cable, and many complementary services to customers across Western and Southwestern Iowa in 9 counties including Arcadia, Auburn, Breda, Carroll, Council Bluffs, Dedham, Denison, Farragut, Glenwood, Glidden, Halbur, Hastings, Lidderdale, Macedonia, Malvern, Maple River, Mineola, Mount Carmel, Nemaha, Pacific Junction, Roselle, Silver City, Treynor, Vail, Westside and Willey.