(Radio Iowa) – The former owner of the Asian Palace Restaurant in Spirit Lake will spend the rest of his life in a Louisiana prison after being convicted of sex crimes in Louisiana.

Authorities say Choi Van Leo owned an Asian American restaurant in a suburb of Lake Charles, Louisiana, when he fled that state 25 years ago after learning he’d be arrested. Last year, a source told a Louisiana prosecutor Leo was likely living in Iowa and Leo was arrested in Spirit Lake in May of 2024.

Louisiana authorities accused Leo of sexually abusing seven children between the ages of four and 12 over an eight year period. A jury convicted him last month. He’s been sentenced to life in a Louisiana prison without the possibility of parole.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Lottery C-E-O Matt Strawn says sales for the new fiscal year are off to a good start in the first two months of the fiscal year at more than 75 million dollars. “An eight-point-one percent increase from last year, and exceeds projected and budgeted sales by eight-point-five-four percent (8.54%),” Strawn says. Strawn gave a report to the Iowa Lottery Commission and says part of the increase is due to Instaplay sales.

” Year over year Instaplay sales are up sixty-nine-point-seven percent (69.7%) through August, and I know we’ve discussed in previous Commission meetings, but improving the performance of this product category has been part of the Lottery’s strategic portfolio management plan,” Strawn says. The other driver of sales in July and August was the huge Powerball jackpot.

“While the fiscal ’26 sales and proceeds totals that are shared with the Commission today do not include the final week of sales for that one-point-seven-eight billion dollar Powerball jackpot that was won on September 6th, they do reflect an increase in sales as the grand prize jackpot approached that billion dollar figure toward the end of August,” he says. Strawn says that mega jackpot pushed Powerball sales 103 percent higher than August of last year. Strawn says the increase in gross sales led to proceeds sent to the state of more than 14 million dollars.

“This amounts to a twenty-point-four percent increase in lottery proceeds compared to last year at this point, and exceeds budgeted proceeds targets by thirteen-point-oh-eight percent,”he says. Strawn says there’s a little concern in the scratch ticket numbers. He says sales were down more than two percent for the same time period last year, including a nearly six percent drop (5.85%) drop in August sales.

“This trend of softer scratch ticket sales did continue into the month of September and is something that the executive management team is closely monitoring, because the scratch ticket category traditionally and historically is the one that is most affected by external economic factors in overall consumer confidence,” Strawn says.

Iowa Lottery Chief Revenue Officer John Roth says lottery sales nationwide have been down, as have sales for lotteries similar in size to Iowa.

(Glenwood, Iowa) –  Police in Glenwood report the arrest on Monday (9/29) of a man from Nebraska. Xavier Robers Barba, of Omaha, NE was arrested for OWI/1st offense, possession of a controlled substance, and driving under suspension, His total bond was set at $2,300.

(Radio Iowa) – October will arrive on Wednesday which marks the start of flu season in Iowa, and a pharmacist in northeast Iowa is urging people statewide to get vaccinated now. Ashley Brehme, pharmacist and owner of Brehme Drug in Manchester, says this season’s shot was created based on plenty of research. “When the vaccines are developed, the scientists use research to try to predict which strain is going to be prevalent for that flu season,” Brehme says, “so they use the best data that they can to kind of predict.”

The C-D-C says about 300-thousand Iowans get the flu every year, and an average of one-thousand die from it, along with complications from pneumonia. The vaccines do not contain live virus, but cold-like symptoms can develop as the body builds the antibodies needed to ward off influenza. “Pretty much any vaccine that we get takes about two weeks for our body to build up our immunity. So when we’re getting the vaccine, you want to get it at least two weeks prior to when you want it active,” she says.

“A lot of people will come in and get their flu shot around the holidays, around Thanksgiving time. We have people come in that week. It’s really not early enough to have your coverage when you’re getting together with your family and your friends.” State health officials say the flu is generally spread to others when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Flu symptoms include: cough, fever, chills, sore throat, muscle or body aches, runny or stuffy nose, headache, fatigue. Brehme says it’s important to get the vaccine early, and it should last well into next year.

“We do see immunity wean off with the flu vaccine,” she says. “Typically we say we’re covered for six months pretty strong. I usually recommend getting the vaccine around October time, so that kind of carries us over through, sometimes we have the waves of influenza in the spring.”

While most insurance companies cover flu shots, for those without insurance, Brehme says they’re not costly, and they could be a lifesaver.

(Radio Iowa) – [UPDATED] – Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson is calling for a federal investigation of TV segments about “Bisexual Plus Awareness Week” that were broadcast by students in her son’s high school.

“An egregious encroachment on parental rights at Linn-Mar high school where my 14 year old son goes to school,” Hinson said.

At 9 a.m. every school day, students in a TV studio inside the school read announcements that are played throughout the building. Linn-Mar school officials this afternoon said their review indicates parents had previously been notified about similar content, but were not alerted last week. The district announced it is taking steps to ensure that in the future parents are “notified in advance” about “potentially sensitive topics featured in the student-created” announcements.

Hinson, a Republican from Marion, said there were segments about bisexuality broadcast to Linn-Mar students each morning last week. “As a parent and a legislator, I am appalled that a school would assume the role of teaching and promoting sexual identity to our kids,” Hinson said. “Our schools should be educating students, not indoctrinating them.”

Hinson, in a letter to the U.S. Secretary of Education, said the messages “encouraged students to wear bisexual pride pins” and “validate the feelings of bisexual individuals.”

Hinson, during a conference call with Iowa reporters this morning, said: “Families, not school administrators, should be deciding how and when to address these issues and let me be clear, there is no circumstance where it is acceptable for administrators, teachers or any school employee to discuss sexuality with a student without parental consent.”

According to Linn-Mar’s website, the student-run TV programming is an extracurricular activity and students meet in the studio every morning at 7:37 a.m. to prep for their 9 a.m. broadcast.

AMES, Iowa— The Iowa 4-H Foundation and Guthrie County 4-H Foundation is launching its annual special 24-hour event, Iowa 4-H Giving Day (www.iowa4Hgivingday.org), on October 7th and 8th from Noon to Noon during National 4-H Week. Each year on Iowa 4-H Giving Day, supporters across the country come together to financially support Iowa’s largest youth organization, to ensure these opportunities continue to be available to youth across the state and at the county level.

“Iowa 4-H helps young people become beyond ready for whatever is next for them– college, careers or community leadership,” said Emily Saveraid, Executive Director of the Iowa 4-H Foundation. “4-H Giving Day gives 4-H supporters and opportunity to invest in 4-H to ensure that more young people have an opportunity to be a part of 4-H so that they can be ready for whatever is next for them.”

Guthrie County 4-H supporters can go directly to the county giving day page to make a gift at https://www.iowa4hgivingday.org/organizations/guthrie-county-4-h-foundation or simply scan the QR Code.

Dollars raised on Iowa 4-H Giving Day go directly to the Guthrie County 4-H Foundation delivered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and provide other opportunities– state recognition, national 4-H trips, college scholarships and special programs, which enhance the Iowa 4-H experience. Iowa 4-H Giving Day is proudly sponsored by Farm Bureau Financial Services.

The Iowa 4-H Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides private financial resources to develop and deliver quality 4-H youth programs to nearly 100,000 young people throughout the state of Iowa. These programs and opportunities help enhance 4-H’ers’ ability to use critical thinking, leadership, communication, and social skills.

For more information and to give a gift, visit www.iowa4Hgivingday.org. For the latest updates and stories on Iowa 4-H Giving Day, follow Guthrie County 4-H on Facebook.

(Radio Iowa) – The Humboldt farmer who announced in July that he was running for congress in Iowa’s 4th congressional district has suspended his campaign and endorsed a fellow Republican. Kyle Larson says over the last several months it has become clear mounting a campaign for congress requires far more funds and time away from family than he can spare. Larson says he and candidate Chris McGowan share the same values on family and the same passion for growing the manufacturing economy, the ag economy, and Main Street businesses — and Larson says he’ll be advising McGowan on ag issues. McGowan, who lives on a small farm in Plymouth County, is the president of the Sioux City metro’s chamber of commerce.

Current fourth district Congressman Randy Feenstra of Hull is not seeking reelection and is expected to formally kick off his campaign for governor soon. Three other Republicans have said they’re running in the 4th district. Matt Windschitl of Missouri Valley is the former House Republican Leader. Ryan Rhodes of Ames is the founder of the Iowa Tea Party. Christian Schlaefer of Lakota is a software engineer.

Three Democrats have announced campaigns in the 4th district. Ashley WolfTornabane of Storm Lake is a stay-at-home mom. Stephanie Steiner of Sutherland has been a traveling nurse. Attorney Dave Dawson of Lawton is a former state legislator.

(Radio Iowa) – The state board of educational examiners has revoked the state license for the Des Moines superintendent who was arrested by ICE on Friday. A letter from the board says Ian Roberts authority to serve as superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools is revoked because state officials received information that Roberts “no longer possesses legal presence in the U.S.” The letter was sent to Roberts’ home address this (Monday) morning and released to the media.

Roberts, a native of Guyana who is being held in the Woodbury County jail in Sioux City, faces deportation. The Iowa-Nebraska chapter of the N-Double-A-C-P says its leadership spoke with Roberts Sunday and the organization is calling on federal, state and local authorities to guarantee due process and full transparency about his case.

(Corning, Iowa) – The Adams County Sheriff’s Office has issued a report on arrests that took place last week (Sept. 21st-26th).

On the 21st:

• 58-year-old Melissa Sanson, of Nodaway, was arrested at around 6:30-p.m. for Assault.

On the 22nd:

• 23-year-old Camren Solari, of Atlantic, was arrested for Failure To Appear;
• 38-year-old Daniel Gresham, of Red Oak, was arrested in Montgomery County on an active warrant out of Adams County for 2nd Degree Arson. The warrant was a result of an incident that occurred in Carbon in Oct., 2024. Gresham was being held in the Adams County Jail on a $20,000 bond. His arraignment was set for Oct. 14th.

On Sept. 24th:

• 18-year-old Kaeden Foote, of Bedford, was picked up by Deputies in Taylor County on an active Adams County warrant for Assault while displaying a dangerous weapon, and carrying a weapon, on school grounds. The arrest stems from an incident that occurred on or about Sept. 19th.  Foote was being held in the Adams County Jail.

On Sept. 26th:

Adams County Dispatch received a call reporting a verbal argument that was taking place outside of a residence on Benton Avenue. Deputies responded and upon further investigation, arrested 41-year-old Tara Squibbs, of Corning, for Public Intoxication.

BRIGHTON, Iowa – Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, today (Monday), said a 17-year-old squirrel hunter died over the weekend, from injuries sustained in an accidental shooting by another hunter in rural Brighton. The incident occurred Saturday at approximately 3 p.m.

Carson Ryan, of Washington, was mistaken for a squirrel by a member of his hunting party and was struck in the back of the head. Ryan was transported to UI Health Care Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources, in collaboration with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, responded to the hunting incident in Washington County. The incident is currently under investigation.