(Radio Iowa) – The U-S Justice Department will investigate whether the Des Moines school district has prioritized race-based hiring practices rather than evaluating job applicants based on merit. That announcement came amid Tuesday’s news that Des Moines superintendent Ian Roberts — detained by immigration agents Friday — had submitted his resignation and the Des Moines School Board met last (Tuesday) night to accept it. School Board President Jackie Norris says it’s the right decision given the circumstances.

“This is not what we anticipated when we welcomed Dr. Ian Roberts into central Iowa and the Des Moines school district a little over two years ago,” Norris said. “It is a sad and troubling end for an individual who gave many people, especially our students, hope.” Roberts was the first black person to lead the state’s largest school district, where about two-thirds of students are minorities. Norris says the board moved swiftly to accept Roberts’ resignation because the district got confirmation from federal officials that Roberts is not eligible to work in this country and state officials revoked his license to be an administrator.

“We didn’t need a longer investigation to address all of the issues,” Norris said. “We needed to look at the two things in front of us, which were just cause.” A Des Moines law firm is working on reopening Roberts’ immigration case, but lead attorney Alfredo Parrish has confirmed Roberts was born in Guyana in 1970 and could be deported at any moment — even in the midst of the federal government shutdown. “They may not have a plane to fly him out, but they may take this opportunity to fly him out,” Parrish said. “We don’t know.”

Betty Andrews, president of the Iowa/Nebraska chapter of the N-Double-A-C-P, says no one should rush to judgment about Roberts’ case. “Obviously Dr. Roberts was a strong voice in the community for education and students,” Andrews said, “and also was someone that many folks in the community were inspired by.” Hundreds of Des Moines high school students staged a walk-out yesterday (Tuesday) to protest Roberts’ arrest and the broader crackdown on illegal immigration. At one point, the students chanted the state motto.

Maryland election officials say Roberts was registered to vote in that state for the past nine years, but had not voted. The Associated Press is reporting Roberts had a Maryland driver’s license from 2001 until last year, when it was exchanged for a New York license. New York law requires a person to make that transaction in person.

(An Iowa Capital Dispatch report) – The Casey’s convenience-store chain is facing a potential class-action lawsuit alleging it overcharges consumers by advertising in-store discounts that aren’t applied to purchases at the cash register. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, names Casey’s Retail Co., Casey’s General Stores Inc., and Casey’s Marketing Co. as defendants. The companies operate more than 2,500 convenience stores in Iowa and 15 other states.

In court filings, Casey’s has yet to respond to the basic allegations in the lawsuit, but has asserted that if each of the chain’s 2,500 stores “failed to give just one $2.76 discount per day” from August 2023 to the present, the compensatory damages in the case would total $5,043,900. In a written statement, a spokesperson for Casey’s said, “We are aware of the allegations and intend to vigorously defend against them. We will respond formally through the legal process.”

Attorneys for the plaintiff, Kit Mason of Allerton, are seeking class-action status for the lawsuit, alleging Casey’s uses in-store signage at store locations to promote product discounts that the stores then fail to apply to customers’ purchases.

(Photo illustration by Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch, with receipt and signage from U.S. District Court filings)

Among the alleged examples cited in the lawsuit:

— On July 10, 2025, Mason visited a Casey’s store in Humeston, where the store promoted a “2 for $4” special on 24-ounce cans of Four Loko flavored alcoholic beverages. At the cash register, the lawsuit claims, Mason was charged $7 rather than $4.

— On July 20, 2025, Mason visited a Casey’s store in Corydon, where the store promoted a “2 for $6” special on 24-ounce cans of Smirnoff Ice alcoholic beverages. At checkout, Mason was allegedly charged $7 rather than $6.

— On Aug. 19, 2025, Mason visited a Casey’s store in Urbandale, where Blue Moon beverages that were normally priced at $3.50 and $4.29 were promoted through a discount that offered $3 off the combined purchase of any three 19-ounce cans. At the cash register, the $3 discount was not applied, the lawsuit claims.

Each of the in-store signs promoting the discounts allegedly state the “instant rebates” are “automatically given at register,” with no indication that membership in the Casey’s Reward Program is required. While most of the alleged examples cited in the lawsuit pertain to alcoholic beverages, some are specific to food items, such as a “2 for $5” special on bagged candy. The lawsuit claims that at the cash register, the bags rang up at $5.99 each. “Similar misleading in-store advertisements were present across the defendants’ network of stores …,” the lawsuit alleges, including but not limited to those in Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin.

According to the lawsuit, Casey’s competitors, such as Kum & Go, Kwik Trip and Kwik Star, have similar in-store promotions but their advertised sale prices are reflected in the customers’ final bill. The lawsuit seeks damages for fraudulent misrepresentation, unjust enrichment, negligent misrepresentation, and unfair or deceptive acts.

The lawsuit also seeks an injunction barring Casey’s from “not applying the advertised discounts at the register as promised,” and prohibiting Casey’s from collecting taxes on the amounts that should have been discounted. The lawsuit was originally filed in Polk County District Court before being moved this week to federal court.

(Radio Iowa) – A University of Iowa education professor who studies why students skip school says she’s encouraged by a new report on a hefty drop in absenteeism in Iowa’s schools, though she says there’s still more work to do.

Kari Vogelgesang, director of professional development at the UI’s Scanlan Center for School Mental Health, says students tend to miss school because they feel overwhelmed, not just apathetic, and the reasons often fall into one of two categories.

Prof. Kari Vogelgesang (UI photo)

“Push factors are something that’s a school-based cause that draws students out of the school,” Vogelgesang says. “For example, exclusionary discipline, an unsafe climate, bullying, these types of things where students don’t feel welcome at school and they disengage and they feel pushed out.”

The other main reason students are absent is some sort of “pull” factor.

“These are external circumstances that draw students away, and they can be things like transportation issues, or housing instability, or health issues, or family responsibilities, employment pressures — that’s typically tied to family responsibilities,” she says.

The report out last week from the Department of Education shows chronic absenteeism dropped by about five-percent statewide in the two years since a state law addressing the issue took effect. In the several years prior to the pandemic, she says Iowa’s absentee rate was holding at around 11-percent.

“In 2022, coming out of COVID and everybody was returning to school, we were at about 26%,” Vogelgesang says, “which was still lower than the national average. The national average was around 30%, which is very alarming. And now we’ve dropped down to about 15.8, depending on who’s reporting it, they’re saying 15 or 16 percent.”

We’re now returning to more of a baseline for chronic absenteeism, which she defines as missing class about 10-percent of the time. School administrators and legislators can do more, Vogelgesang says, to help bring those numbers down even further.

“We know that when you implement a multi-tier, data-driven, relationship-heavy intervention or policy in your school that you’re going to have the best outcomes, and we encourage districts to avoid punitive, one-size-fits-all type of policy,” Vogelgesang says, “but you really need to think about your unique population and what is going to work the best for your students and for your families and educators.”

Vogelgesang studies the drivers of chronic absenteeism and is a founding member of Attendance USA, a national initiative focused on addressing student attendance and engagement. The state report says Iowa’s five-percent drop in absenteeism is one of the largest reported decreases in the country.

(Radio Iowa) – The superintendent who’s in a western Iowa jail after being arrested by immigration agents last Friday is fighting a deportation order — but not his dismissal from Des Moines public schools. Alfredo Parrish is one of the attorneys working on Ian Roberts’ immigration case. “We will today be sending a letter to the Des Moines School Board, authorized by Dr. Roberts, to resign his position,” Parrish said.

The Des Moines school board gave Roberts until noon today (Tuesday) to provide documents proving he is eligible to work in the U.S. or he’d be fired. In the letter announcing his immediate resignation, Roberts said he did not want to distract the Board, educators and staff from focusing on educating the district’s students.  “We want you to know that Dr. Roberts’ greatest concern is about his students who he actually loved and the students who love him back and his staff,” Parrish said.

In May of 2024, a federal judge issued a deportation order for Roberts and an appeal to reopen his case was rejected earlier this year. Parrish says Roberts thought everything was O.K. and his case was resolved in April. “Dr. Roberts had a prior attorney,” Parrish told reporters. “This prior attorney was in Texas…I’m going to share a letter that was received from the prior attorney, telling (Roberts) his case had been closed successfully, and (Roberts) was under the impression that it had been.”

Betty Andrews, president of the Iowa/Nebraska chapter of the NAACP and three lawyers on Ian Roberts’ legal team listen as Alfredo Parrish, the team’ lead attorney, spoke to the media on Sept. 30, 2025. (RI photo)

The letter released to the media today (Tuesday) from a partner in a Texas law firm indicated the case had reached a successful resolution. Parrish says Roberts’ new legal team has filed a motion to block the deportation of Roberts and they will be seeking to reopen Roberts’ immigration case. Parrish was asked why Roberts claimed to be a U.S. citizen and presented a Social Security card when he was filling out the paperwork to be paid by Des Moines Schools.

“Both of those things I’m able to respond to,” Parrish told reporters, “but quite frankly I don’t want to respond at this point but as you may or may not know certain people coming into this country are entitled to get a Social Security number. We’ve thoroughly checked that out. That’s not our concern at the moment.” During a mid-day news conference, Parrish confirmed Roberts was born in Guyana in 1970, but declined to say whether Roberts was a U.S. citizen or if he was authorized to work in the U.S. Parrish says he hasn’t had access to Roberts’ immigration file yet.

“Some questions we will not be able to answer,” Parrish said. “It’s only because we’re not going to get into the merits of this case yet because we’re simply just not prepared in four days to do that.” Parrish indicated the case had been juggling through the court system for several years and it does not appear President Trump had any role in pressing for Roberts’ arrest.

The U.S. Department of Justice announced shortly after the news conference that it had opened an investigation of Des Moines Public Schools to determine if it has race-based employment practices.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with Vision Atlantic say the Omicron Zeta 13611 Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi have donated $500 to Vision Atlantic’s transformative project, which will bring a housing development, new child development center, and YMCA expansion to Atlantic.

As previously mentioned, Vision Atlantic, through extensive research and surveying of the community and surrounding region, identified three areas that will help increase Atlantic’s population: expanded childcare, quality housing and quality of life amenities. Infrastructure for the 142 mixed unit Camblin Hills housing development and 300 capacity child development center is almost complete, with construction of 48 homes currently underway. Construction of the child development center and YMCA expansion is slated to begin early 2026.

Pictured: Terri Cook Thielen, Val Gifford, Barb Olsen, and Debbie Waterbury

Vision Atlantic is a 501(c)(3) non-profit whose mission is to empower growth, enhance lives, and build a thriving community together through the economic development of Atlantic, Iowa.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, today (Tuesday), said a man from Red Oak was arrested at around 1:45-p.m., Monday. 40-year-old Aaron Lucas Allen was arrested on two-counts of Possession with the Intent to Deliver/Methamphetamine. Allen was being held without bond in the Montgomery County Jail.

(Radio Iowa, 9-30-25) – State Climatologist Justin Glisan says during a federal government shut down he and other state climatologists around the country will pitch in and cover some National Weather Service functions. “We’ve gone through this before. I just want to make sure that our National Weather Service office is covered in terms of what I can do,” Glisan said during an episode of “Iowa Press” on Iowa PBS. “…I take more of the climate side of their operation.”

During a federal government shutdown, the National Weather Service will continue to produce forecasts and issue weather warnings, but there will likely be delays in processing data for long-term purposes and projects. Glisan said the current weather outlook over the next week or so indicates temperatures will remain warm and there are low chances for storms. “If we do have a government shut down — and I hate to say this — this would be the prime time to have it at the National Weather Service because it’s not as active as it could be,” Glisan said.

State Climatologist Justin Glisan on the “Iowa Press” set on Sept. 26, 2025. (Iowa PBS photo)

Glisan and other members of the American Association of Climatologists met in Kansas City in June and Glisan said they discussed potential budget cuts. “We discussed how we can provide our climate services without a budget, with no budget, with a low budget, how we can back each other up,” Glisan said. “I talk with the surrounding state climatologists on almost a daily basis because we coordinate the U.S. Drought Monitor depiction.”

Early this year, about 550 positions were cut at the National Weather Service after layoffs and early retirement offers initiated by the Department of Government Efficiency Elon Musk led. The federal agency that includes National Weather Service announced plans in August to hire to about 450 meteorologists, hydrologists and radar technicians. Glisan says he’s worried about morale in the National Weather Service. “Their mandate is the protection of life and property,” Glisan said. “…They’re not there to get rich. They’re not there to be famous. They’re there to protect us, so anything that I can do to back them up I do.”

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken, today [Tuesday, Sept. 30^th] updated the Board of Supervisors on Secondary Roads Department maintenance and activities. He said they are doing a lot of driveway extension projects, in hopes of finishing those up before the harvest gets into full swing. Cold patch work is underway on G-30, east of Anita, from the city limits to the cattle barn. Crews have also been busy mowing and blading.

And, with regard to construction projects…

He said also…

And, South N-28 cold-in place recycling was completed last Friday. Bridge approach work is underway.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors, Tuesday morning, discussed during a Special Meeting, a possible lease for the Willow Heights facility, and, Support for Vision Atlantic. Board Chair Steve Baier thanked all parties interested in the future of the Willow Heights building, for their civility.

Supervisors Bernard Pettinger and Mark O’Brien along with the County’s Attorney have been working on the language for the lease agreement with a potential tenant – who has not yet been disclosed – who has expressed interest in the facility. That includes who is responsible for security and maintenance. The language is still being tweaked, but it’s hoped to have the final version ready by next week, the agreement signed and the building possibly occupied by next month, but that’s not a certainty at this point.

No further action was taken. Additional discussion is expected by the time the next Supervisor’s meeting rolls around on Oct. 7^th. The Willow Heights facility land was sold in 2023, but the building on the grounds, which previously served people who have a mental or intellectual disability, substance abuse or other disabling condition, was closed nearly two-years earlier, due to federal and State requirements. Later discussion included proposals for the building to be renovated for Senior, low income, veterans’ housing. Despite those talks, the building remains unsold.

With regard to Vision Atlantic, a request for support was previously discussed during the Board’s regular meeting in May, following a request from Vision Atlantic President Christina Bateman. Board Chair Steve Baier said the idea is to get a plan in-place over a five-year period.

Supervisor Wendy Richter concurred the request is feasible, and proposed a contribution for that time-frame that would not increase residents’ taxes.

The Board approved $2.5-million dollars spread over 5-years at $500,000 per year. A formal resolution to that effect designating the funds for economic development, specifically with regard to child care, will be created and made available for the next meeting. Supervisor Mark O’Brien…

This past June, the Supervisors approved the earmarking of $150,000 from the County’s share of ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds for Vision Atlantic, specifically focusing on the child care center aspect of the project. Vision Atlantic has a fundraising goal of $39 million, which will be used to construct the YMCA expansion and child development center. To date, they have raised $26 million of that goal, thanks to an $8.6 million lead grant from the Charles E. Lakin Foundation and significant support from local donors. Vision Atlantic’s Project Committee is actively working to secure the remaining $13 million needed to meet their fundraising goal.

In other business, NishnaNet owner Scott Bennett approached the Board about the use of a live-feed TV camera view of the downtown area, to promote Atlantic, especially now that the holiday season is approaching. The camera feed would promote Cass County Tourism and/or the Cass-Atlantic Development Corporatation (CADCO), but no commercial businesses.

The Board gave their blessing to the proposal.