(Radio Iowa) – A northeast Iowa native who was a small-scale farmer before working on Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign is launching his own campaign for congress. Thirty-one-year-old Dave Bushaw is running as an independent in Iowa’s second district, which is currently represented by 2026 U-S Senate candidate Ashley Hinson, a Republican. “We’ve seen a flood of candidates from both the Democratic and Republican Parties into the race,” Bushaw said, “…and if 63% percent of the country wants an independent or a third party option, I see no better time to give it to them than right now.” And Bushaw says among the four congressional districts in Iowa, the second district has the highest percentage of independent or “no party” voters.

Edward Gillette of Valley Junction — a member of the Greenback-Labor Party — was elected to the U-S House in 1878 — the last time Iowans elected someone who was not a member of either the Democratic or Republican Parties to serve in congress. “Growing up working class, I’m no stranger to a challenge, you know, growing up ‘patches on patches’ poor,” Bushaw said, “both parents working, my mom working multiple jobs — going in for the hard fights is something that’s not new to me.” When he was 19, Bushaw bought four acres of land near Hawkeye and grew squash on his “Solidarity Fields” farm for several years. He’s still living on the farm, but is currently working as a Midwest organizer for United Today, Stronger Tomorrow — a group that’s focused on economic issues in rural areas.

Independent candidate Dave Bushaw of Hawkeye is running in Iowa’s second congressional district. (Bushaw campaign photo)

“We see young folks that are bleeding out of our state due to poor economic conditions, poor workers’ rights and organized labor conditions, poor health care access and opportunities to grow and settle down with your own family,” Bushaw says. “I stayed and I have no intention on going anywhere other than to Washington, D.C. to deliver rural Iowa’s priorities to the halls of congress.” In 2019 and 2020, Bushaw worked for Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign in Iowa, South Carolina and Nevada. “We were out there talking to people…and really giving a damn about what they have to say and committing to taking action for it,” Bushaw says, “for them and for all of us.”

Bushaw says he’ll use that approach to find grassroots supporters for his own campaign rather than bombard people with text messages begging for campaign donations. He will host his first campaign rally on November 22nd at the Fayette County Fairgrounds in West Union, which is his hometown.

DAVENPORT, Iowa – The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa reports two Quad Cities men were sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a racketeering conspiracy, which engaged in a years-long pattern of violence, including murder, attempted murder, and drug trafficking. According to public court documents and evidence presented at trial and sentencing, the racketeering conspiracy involved Fifth Street gang members. The Fifth Street Gang is also known as the “Arsenal Courts Posse,” “Zone Fifth,” “Fifth Street Mafia,” “Rock Town Money Getters (RTMG),” and “Money Team.” The Fifth Street gang operated as a criminal enterprise responsible for numerous acts of violence, including murder and attempted murder in the Davenport and Rock Island area. The criminal enterprise was connected to dozens of shooting investigations and at least seven homicides over the course of two decades.

34-year-old Rasheem Damonte Bogan was sentenced on October 9, 2025, to 27 years in federal prison for racketeering conspiracy and felon in possession of ammunition charges, followed by three years of supervised release. On June 1, 2020, Bogan and seven co-defendants went to Necker’s Jewelers to commit a burglary. While there, the group encountered a man they mistakenly believed to be a rival gang member. Bogan and others fired 33 rounds from four firearms, seriously injuring the victim.

29-year-old Kylea Dapri Cartwright, Jr., was sentenced on November 6, 2025, to 30 years in federal prison for racketeering conspiracy and felon in possession of ammunition charges, followed by three years of supervised release. Cartwright was also ordered to pay $29,732.23 in restitution. Following a six-day jury trial, Cartwright was found guilty of racketeering conspiracy and possessing ammunition as a felon. Evidence at trial demonstrated that on July 5, 2020, Cartwright fired four rounds from a .40 caliber pistol toward a man on West Third Street in Davenport, resulting in the victim’s death. Cartwright used the same pistol that another Fifth Street Gang member had fired during the Necker’s Jewelers shooting a month earlier.

In total, 14 defendants, including Bogan and Cartwright, were convicted of federal crimes related to the Fifth Street Gang’s criminal conduct between April 2006 and February 2024. The 12 co-defendants were sentenced as follows:

·         Don Christopher White, Jr. was sentenced to 480 months’ imprisonment;

·         Raheem Jacques Houston was sentenced to 360 months’ imprisonment;

·         Deaguise Ramont Hall was sentenced to 400 months’ imprisonment;

·         Brandon Deshane Branigan was sentenced to 226 months’ imprisonment;

·         Michael Linn Cross was sentenced to 216 months’ imprisonment;

·         Devell Carl Lewis was sentenced to 240 months’ imprisonment;

·         LaShawn D. James Hensley was sentenced to 144 months’ imprisonment;

·         Simmeon Terrell Hall was sentenced to 360 months’ imprisonment;

·         Ricky Lee Childs, Jr. was sentenced to 160 months’ imprisonment;

·         Timothy Justin Beaver was sentenced to 235 months’ imprisonment;

·         Devante Atwell French was sentenced to 360 months’ imprisonment; and

·         Cortez Deangelo Cooper, Jr. was sentenced to 162 months’ imprisonment.

Davenport Police Chief Jeffery Bladel said “This was a thorough and relentless investigation. Our officers stayed committed, and prosecutors were steadfast in seeking justice. Gun violence will never be tolerated in our community. These dangerous individuals showed no regard for human life and are now being held accountable. I’m incredibly thankful for our investigators, officers, and partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office whose dedication has made our city safer. The message is clear: if you commit violent acts, you will be held accountable.”

David C. Waterman, U-S Attornery for the Southern District of Iowa, said “This case represents years of tireless investigative work and close collaboration among federal, state, and local agencies to dismantle one of the most violent criminal organizations operating in the Quad Cities. The sentences imposed send an unequivocal message: those who bring violence, guns, and drugs into our communities will be held fully accountable under federal law. And let me be clear—anyone who threatens or attempts to harm our law enforcement partners will face the full force of the federal government. Our office will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with the men and women who safeguard our communities every day, working together to restore safety, stability, and peace to our neighborhoods.”

The case was investigated by the Davenport and Rock Island Police Departments, with assistance from the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa Department of Criminal Investigations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Drug Enforcement Administration.

(Ames, Iowa) –  The Ames, Iowa-based Iowa Farmers Union (IFU) is hosting an upcoming community event in Clarinda next week. The IFU will hold a Farmers Union Community Happy Hour in Clarinda. The event takes place at The Ice House (1515 S 16th St.) on Tuesday, November 18th, from 6-until 7:30-p.m. Officials say “This is a relaxed gathering open to all Southwest Iowa residents – not just farmers or Clarinda residents. We are there to listen to local residents and there will be a short program (15 minutes or so) for folks  to learn about IFU’s work across Iowa supporting family farms, local food systems, and rural communities.”

Enjoy drinks and appetizers – the first round is on the Iowa Farmers Union! More information is available at info@iowafarmersunion.org

Make your reservation to attend here: bit.ly/ClarindaHappyHour

DES MOINES, Iowa [KCCI] — New state health data shows that more Iowans are getting the measles vaccine, with rates increasing after the measles outbreak in Texas. Numbers show a 23% jump in vaccinations compared to last year. According to a report from KCCI-TV, measles, mumps and rubella vaccinations went to 80,242 Iowans from January through October of this year. Iowa health officials say that compares to 65,139 doses administered for the same time in 2023 and 65,235 doses in 2024. There have been at least eight confirmed cases of measles in Iowa this year.

The symptoms of measles include:

• fever
• cough
• red/watery eyes
• runny nose
• rash

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services says measles is spread through the air by droplets from the nose, throat, and mouth of an infected person. If you think you have been exposed to measles and have symptoms, call your medical provider or nearest emergency room ahead of time and tell them that you have been exposed and have symptoms before arriving.

ATLANTIC, IA – Produce in the Park in Atlantic is hosting Harvest Market November 24th, from 3-until 6-p.m., at the Cass County Community Center (805 W. 10th Street, Atlantic, IA 50022). Harvest Market is held just three days before Thanksgiving so shoppers can stock up on local foods, decorations, and gifts to enjoy at holiday celebrations. This year, Harvest Market is placing a special emphasis on ensuring everyone can enjoy good food this holiday season. Market visitors who show proof of SNAP or WIC participation will receive food coupons to spend at the Harvest Market. $25 in coupons will be distributed per qualifying individual (max $50 per family). Coupons can be spent on all food items (excluding food trucks) and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

As of November 11th, Produce in the Park had received $1500 in funding for the Harvest Market food coupons initiative, with $500 contributions from three local organizations: Cass County Local Food Policy Council, Corn 4 a Cause, and Produce in the Park itself. Produce in the Park continues to welcome additional coupon sponsors. Organizations or individuals interested in sponsoring can contact Market Manager Ciara Hoegh at produceintheparkatlanticiowa@gmail.com.

In addition to distributing food coupons, Produce in the Park has invited various local organizations addressing food insecurity to join the market to share information about their programs and how community members can access and support them. As of November 11, participants include Cass County Grow Another Row, the Cass County Local Food Policy Council, Atlantic’s Free Community Thanksgiving, Atlantic’s new Gathering community dinner series, and Atlantic Food Pantry’s “Scrooge” contestants BJ Hart and Dave York.

Harvest Market vendors will be selling a wide selection of local foods and handmade craft products. Fresh fall produce will include fresh greens (spinach, lettuce, kale, arugula), potatoes, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, onions, garlic, carrots, and bok choi. Other food offerings include local meats (chicken, pork, beef), farm-fresh eggs, honey, jellies, jams, salad and BBQ sauces, salsa, freeze-dried snacks, and baked goods like rolls, sourdough bread, cookies, cupcakes, kringle, and pies.

Craft vendors will be selling a variety of handmade goods such as candles and wax melts, holiday decorations, potted plants, jewelry, crocheted stuffed animals, and bath and body products such as soaps, sugar scrubs, and beard oils. Harvest Market will offer two food trucks: Karam’s Grill and Pho Wheels & Sushi. Karam’s Grill will serve Mediterranean food such as gyros, falafel, chicken shawarma, and baklava. Pho Wheels & Sushi will offer fresh sushi–preoders are highly recommended, and a link to preorder sushi is available in the Harvest Market Facebook event. And, kids can enjoy face painting and glitter tattoos.

All are welcome at Produce in the Park farmers markets, and admission is free. The market accepts SNAP/EBT and Double Up Food Bucks for all qualifying food items. Harvest Market is the second of five markets in Produce in the Park’s Holiday Market Series. Additional farmers markets in the 2025-2026 series include Christmas Market (December 20), Sweetheart Market (February 14, 2026), and Spring Celebration Market (April 4, 2026).

Produce in the Park farmers markets are made possible by support from the City of Atlantic, First Whitney Bank & Trust, Gregg Young Chevrolet of Atlantic, Cass Health, Cass County Tourism, Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, and Nishna Valley Family YMCA. Produce in the Park continues to accept applications for vendors and sponsors for their 2025-2026 Holiday Market Series. For details and applications, see www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com.

For the latest market updates, follow Produce in the Park on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProduceInThePark or Instagram at www.instagram.com/produceintheparkatlanticia/, or sign up for the Produce in the Park email newsletter at www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com.

(Atlantic, IA) – The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce has announced the launch of a new holiday raffle, designed to add excitement and raise funds for community Christmas events. The “Ho Ho Go” Raffle offers participants the chance to win unique holiday experiences while supporting the festive traditions that make the Atlantic community so special. Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kelsey Beschorner says “The raffle is a fun way to engage the community and give families an opportunity to make unforgettable holiday memories. Each prize highlights the magic of the season, from skipping the line to see Santa to joining him for a ride in the parade.”

Raffle prizes include:

• Skip the Line at Santa’s Cabin – Use your pass at any Santa’s Cabin night. Good for one family. Three winners will be drawn.
• Skip the Line at Carriage Rides – Valid on December 6 or December 13. Three winners will be drawn.
• Ride with Santa in the Firetruck to the Grand Lighting on November 20. One winner will be drawn.
• Ride with Santa in the Lighted Christmas Parade on December 6. One winner will be drawn.

Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20 and are available now through November 19 at the following locations:

• Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce
• Brown’s Shoe Fit
• Cappel’s
• Homebody
• Heritage House

Winners will be drawn on LIVE on Facebook on November 19, just in time for the start of Atlantic’s Christmas festivities. All proceeds from the raffle will help fund the Chamber’s holiday programming.  For more information about the “Ho Ho Go” Raffle or other holiday events, visit www.atlanticiowa.com or contact the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce at (712) 243-3017 orcamber@atlanticiowa.com.

Capture the Christmas magic with #MyAtlanticIA or #ChristmasinAtlantic and post to the Atlantic Area Chamber’s Facebook or Instagram pages. Christmas in Atlantic is presented by Gregg Young of Atlantic.

(Red Oak, IA) – Firefighters from Red Oak, Elliott and Stanton responded early this (Wednesday) morning, to the scene of a large brush pile fire. According to Red Oak Fire Chief John Bruce, crews were dispatched to the area of 2275 B Avenue, at 5:15-a.m., following a reported a large brush pile on fire. The reporting party was concerned the fire might spread.

Photo courtesy of the Red Oak Fire Department

Firefighters arrived on the scene to find a large brush pile inside of a hole, with dry vegetation surrounding the perimeter. The flames were extinguished without incident, and there were no injuries reported.

(Creston, IA) – Officials with the Creston Police Department report four people were arrested on separate charges, Tuesday (Nov. 11th):

• 49-year-old Jeremiah Lee David Parcher, of Lorimor, was arrested at the Creston/Union County Law Enforcement Center, on multiple outstanding warrants for failure to appear. The original charges included Driving While Barred, Eluding (speed 25 mph over the limit, second or subsequent offense), and Domestic Abuse Assault – Display or Use of a Weapon (1st offense). Parcher was transported to the Union County Jail and held without bond until seen by a judge.
• 45-year-old Johnnie Todd Lovell, of Creston, was arrested Tuesday afternoon in Creston, for Driving While Barred. Lovell was transported to the Union County Jail and posted a $2,000 cash or surety bond before being released.
• Tuesday evening, Creston Police arrested 31-year-old Tyler Wayne Kimball, of Creston. He was arrested on an outstanding warrant for failure to appear on an original charge of Domestic Abuse Assault. In addition, authorities say Kimball was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was also cited in court for allowing an Animal to run at-Large. Kimball was transported to the Union County Jail and held without bond until seen by a judge. And,
• Late Tuesday night, 53-year-old Jason Kelley Frazier, of Creston, was arrested at his residence for Domestic Abuse Assault/1st Offense – Causing Bodily Injury. He was transported to and held at the Union County Jail without bond, until seen by a judge.

(A report by the Iowa Capital Dispatch) –  A former Hy-Vee pharmacy manager, facing multiple criminal charges related to the alleged theft of $71,000 worth of drugs, has agreed to surrender his license. The Iowa Capital Dispatch reports 42-year-old Jeffrey Jack Bates, of Indianola, is criminally charged with one count of felony first-degree theft, one count of tampering with records, one count of identity theft and eight counts of prohibited acts involving controlled substances. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. A trial date has yet to be scheduled, although a pretrial conference is planned for Dec. 22, 2025.

According to records related to a search warrant authorized for Bates’ home and vehicle, Indianola police received information in April 2025 from the Indianola Hy-Vee store indicating Bates had been fired a few days earlier and was the focus of an investigation into the possible theft of drugs. According to the warrant application, store management believed Bates had been creating phony prescriptions for medications using the name of actual medical providers and the names of both real and fictious patients, filling the prescriptions and billing the cost to insurance providers, and then later taking the bottles of medications out of the store at the end of his shift. The store alleged it had compiled video of Bates going through those steps and had correlated the timing of those actions to Bates’ computer entries.

The warrant and other court records indicate store officials believed at least 3,703 pills — many of them for Adderall, a narcotic, and the drug Vyvanse, a narcotic stimulant — may have been misappropriated.
In the application for the search warrant, a police officer reported that it was “important to note that Bates was on his cell phone a majority of this time and appeared to be texting/communicating with someone.” According to the warrant application, Hy-Vee personnel indicated they confronted Bates about the alleged theft and that while he admitted creating the phony bottle labels, he asserted he did so not to steal medications but to deal with discrepancies in the pharmacy’s drug inventory.

Hy-Vee Foods in Indianola, Iowa, where the former managing pharmacist, Jeffrey Jack Bates, was allegedly videotaped creating phony prescriptions for $71,000 worth of drugs. (Main photo via Google Earth; video still-frames by Indianola police from Iowa District Court records)

Court records indicate that on April 23, 2025, police executed the search warrant at Bates’ home and seized pill bottles, prescription paperwork and a cell phone. A second warrant was later obtained for the contents of the phone. On May 28, 2025, criminal charges were filed in the case, with police alleging Bates had created phony prescriptions in the names of 55 actual patients and four nonexistent patients. In one such instance, Bates allegedly used the name of one patient to create six fake prescriptions for more than 300 Adderall and Vyvanse pills. Police allege Bates also used the names of at least seven different doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants in creating the fabricated prescriptions. The Hy-Vee store has claimed the total value of the drugs at issue is $71,231.

The Iowa Board of Pharmacy alleges Bates is suspected of not only theft, but insurance fraud, with fraudulent billings made to insurers to account for the pharmacy’s cost of dispensing the drugs.
After the board charged Bates with knowingly making misleading, deceptive, untrue or fraudulent representations in the practice of pharmacy, and with diverting prescription drugs from a pharmacy for personal use or distribution, Bates recently agreed to surrender his license.

(An Iowa Capital Dispatch story) – A new report from the Iowa Food System Coalition shows that Iowa has 1,461 local food businesses spread across the state. Coalition staff said the report shows the economic viability of local food businesses across the levels of the food system.  Bob Ferguson, who serves on the Farm and Food Business priority team with the coalition, said the report showed an increase in the number of on-farm stores, farm stands and local food businesses from previous estimations. “There’s more there than one would suspect,” he said. “There needs to be a lot more, but there’s already robust local infrastructure that interacts with itself to provide local goods and services.”

The businesses, which include food farmers, processors, food hubs and more, are spread across the state, with greater concentration around Iowa’s largest cities. The majority, or 1,074, of the businesses are farmers and food producers. Meat and food processors make up the next highest category, with 189 meat processors and 47 food processors in the state. The report identified between 10 and 26, per category, of local wineries, restaurants, retail stores, groceries and dairy manufacturers in Iowa.  The remaining categories had fewer than 10 businesses each identified in the state: grade A dairies, breweries, coffee, food hubs, raw milk, uncategorized, grain mills, caterers, distributors and private chef services.

Farmers Market (USDA photo)

The report defined local food businesses as producers that sell direct to consumer, strategic supply chain partners and some large volume distribution services that make “substantial and effective efforts to produce or market source-identified local foods.”  Ferguson said the food system has become heavy at the top level and at at the small-scale level, but has been “hollowed” in the middle. The report that shows the number and spread of local food businesses, he said, shows that “infrastructure at the middle is still there.” Ferguson predicts the number of businesses will only continue to grow in the state.

In addition to providing local food infrastructure and economic impact, Ferguson said these local business also provide a “powerful sense of placemaking” or the “coolness factor” that helps people “feel great about being where they are,” which he said is important for rural development.  The report analyzed online directories, like the state’s Choose Iowa network, various food hubs, farmers market databases and registries for licensed dairy and meat processing plants. Because the report only makes use of regularly updated online lists, the coalition notes it is “likely an under-count” of local food businesses.

The coalition hopes future iterations of the report will also include business that don’t have an online presence.