CORALVILLE, Iowa – Officials with the Iowa Department of Corrections report a man serving time for two counts of second-degree sexual abuse in Cass County, has died. 59-year-old Timothy Duane Smith was pronounced dead at 8:17 a.m. on Sept. 9, 2025, in the palliative care unit of the University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center.

His sentence began on Aug. 9, 2018.

(Radio Iowa) – A University of Iowa legal scholar who’s an expert on genetic privacy says the thousands of Iowans who used the genetic testing company 23andMe may have dodged a bullet with its recent bankruptcy, but she fears repeats with similar companies.

UI law professor Anya Prince says the genetic data of some 15-million customers nationwide appears to have emerged from the company’s financial challenges with all security measures intact.

“What happened in the bankruptcy proceeding is that the winning bidder for the data and the company was a company called TTAM, which actually stands for 23andMe,” Prince says. “It’s a nonprofit entity owned by the original co-founder of 23andMe, and that company has promised to keep the same services, keep the same employees.”

Prof. Anya Prince (UI photo)

If it had fallen into the wrong corporate hands, Prince says that genetic data could have been used in ways customers of 23andMe never intended.

“There could be worry about that being misused by life insurance companies or other insurance companies, or use by law enforcement — which some people are uncomfortable with, or purchased by a foreign nation,” Prince says. “There could be a range of options that really our laws don’t protect against fully.”

The company’s at-home test kits are easy to use and the reports sent back to customers based on their DNA often provide information about their ancestry and family members. Still, depending on the test, those genetic markers may also reveal predispositions to diseases, which could mean higher premiums, should an insurance company access the data. Also, law enforcement might be able to access your genetic data without a warrant, which could have all sorts of implications.

Prince has co-authored a paper saying the 23andMe bankruptcy and sale exposed critical gaps in consumer privacy protections, and she says new privacy laws are needed, either at the state or federal level, to safeguard genetic data.

“When people give their private data, including genetic information, to companies like this, they really are trusting them to be good stewards of their data,” Prince says, “but right now, our laws don’t require them to be good stewards of the data. It just requires them to tell people what’s going to happen in the privacy policies that we know nobody reads anyway.”

Prince and a colleague have launched a website that tracks genetic privacy laws across the U.S. She recommends it for anyone who’s already given out their genetic data, or who might be considering it.

“We meant it to be available for everyone and readable by everyone,” Prince says. “There’s lots of maps so you can click through, and we really hope that it’s accessible, and we did not put it in the legalese that everybody gets so annoyed with their lawyers for speaking in.”

Prince says the U.S. lacks a comprehensive federal privacy framework for genetic data protection and the country’s health privacy law (HIPAA) does not apply to direct-to-consumer DNA testing companies.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Office has released a report on arrests that took place last week and this past weekend. Saturday evening, 40-year-old Sabrina Sue Winkelmann, of Fontanelle, was arrested by Police in Adair, for Assault with Bodily Injury. She was later released on bond.

Wednesday afternoon, Adair Police arrested 68-year-old Patricia Ann Denson, of LaCrosse, WI, for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine, and a Prescription Drug Violation. She was later released on bond.

On Sept. 9th, Adair County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 57-year-old Jon Eric Muselman, of Osceola. He was taken into custody in Orient for OWI/1st offense and Failure to Obey a Stop or Yield Sign. Muselman was cited and released.

And, on Sept. 8th, an Adair County Deputy arrested 34-year-old Clayton Carl Albrecht, of Truro, following a traffic stop on I-80 near mile marker 80 in Adair County. Albrecht was charged with: OWI/1st offense; Driving Under Suspension; Failure to Maintain Control, and Open Container-Driver/21-years of age or older. He was released the next day on bond.

(Radio Iowa) – The northwest Iowa Democrat who won a special election for a seat in the Iowa Senate has been sworn into office. Catelin Drey is representing a district that includes areas of rural Woodbury County as well as Sioux City, where Drey lives. “There is something very humbling about taking the official oath in a moment when it feels like that has become increasingly difficult or increasingly controversial,” she said. “That oath is sacred and I look forward to doing the best that I can to uphold that.” There are now 17 Democrats serving in the Iowa Senate and it breaks the G-O-P’s 34-seat super majority.

Senate Democratic Leader Janice Weiner says it means Democrats have the ability to be part of the mix in developing legislation. “Way too often the last few sessions it was perhaps a Senate of 34. Now we’re a senate of 50. If they want to get people confirmed, if they want some other things, they will need to work with us, but that’s honestly the way it should work,” Weiner said. “That’s the way Iowans want it to work.” This is the second special election Senate Democrats have won this year. Drey, who won with about 55 percent of the vote, takes office less than a week after influential conservative Charlie Kirk was killed in Utah and two students were shot at a Colorado school by a 16-year-old that authorities say was radicalized by online content.

Drey says it’s a fraught time and she’s thinking about the safety of children in school as well as the safety of public officials. “I am optimistic that we have an awareness now that this type of rhetoric is dangerous,” Drey said, “and I’m also optimistic that we can find some solution to solve the gun violence crisis that is ongoing in this country.”

Drey will serve the remainder of Senator Rocky De Witt’s term. De Witt died of cancer in June.

(Atlantic, Iowa)— Officials with Cass Health, today (Monday), announced Dr. Hunter Pflughaupt, MD, recently joined the CCHS primary care team, and will begin seeing patients of all ages this week at Atlantic Medical Center.

Dr. Pflughaupt is originally from Walker, Iowa and received his undergraduate degree from Coe College in Cedar Rapids. He graduated from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine in 2022, and he recently finished his Family Medicine Residency at Iowa Lutheran in Des Moines. Dr. Pflughaupt says that he has a strong focus on preventive care and patient education, and he is committed to delivering patient-centered care that addresses not only physical health but also emotional and social well-being.

Dr. Hunter Pflughaupt, MD

“I want patients to feel comfortable and safe. They can talk to me about whatever is on their mind and know that they will get the best care possible,” he said. Dr. Pflughaupt is a member of the Iowa Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the American Medical Association.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Pflughaupt, please call 712-243-2850.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak say a traffic stop late Saturday night at the intersection of Highways 34 and 48, resulted in an arrest. 27-year-old Tyler Martin Brokaw, of Lenox, was arrested for OWI/2nd offense. Brokaw was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $2,000 bond.

(Radio Iowa) – A church in north-central Iowa’s Webster County closed its doors for the last time on Sunday. The Duncombe United Methodist Church held its final service after 135 years. Barbara Clabaugh, the layperson for the church, says it’s a very somber moment for the remaining members. “It truly is,” Clabaugh says. “Everybody is sad but it’s time. We can’t go any further.”

The church had 110 members in 1973, and a decade later, membership had fallen to 69. When the church closed on Sunday, there were only six members in attendance. The church had an active sewing and quilt-making program, Sunday School, dinners and bake sales, along with its worship service. Clabaugh was asked what will be next for the Duncombe church. “We’re not sure right now,” she says. “We’ll maybe have an auction but we have to talk to our district superintendent first to decide what to do.”

Duncombe United Methodist Church

And where will the remaining members go? “Other churches have invited us,” Clabaugh says, “and we’ll see.” It’s the second church to close in Duncombe in recent years. St. Joseph’s Catholic Church held its last service in November of 2008 with its demolition in March of 2011.

The Washington Lutheran Church is now the only church serving its members and community.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – This week at Produce in the Park (Thurs. 9/18), in Atlantic, organizer’s say they’ve got their best band of the season, and the Pork Producers are selling “chops for cops” pork chops on a stick as a fundraiser for Atlantic Police Department.  The Prairie Gators band will perform, thanks to event special summer music sponsor, Rolling Hills Bank. Get ready for zydeco, bluegrass, old-time country, & gospel.

This week’s visiting food truck at Produce in the Park is Tikka Talk – featuring Indian favorites like butter chicken, lamb tikka masala, samosas, naan, and more. In addition, the Cass County Pork Producers will be grilling chops for “Chops for Cops” porkchop on a stick. There’s fun for all ages:  Art in the Park, Coloring for Kids, Guest Chef. Vendors will have available lots of fresh produce, local pork, chicken, and eggs, baked goods and breads, honey, flowers, arts and crafts, soaps, and more. And, local community organizations, including Cass Health, Healthy Cass County, Cass County Tourism, and more will have information booths or tents set-up.

Produce in the park takes place from 4:30-until 6:30 PM, Thursday, at the Atlantic City Park, 10 W 7th St., in Atlantic. There is no charge to attend. The event is made possible thanks to September Sponsors: Rush CPA, Gregg Young Chevrolet of Atlantic, City of Atlantic, 1st Whitney Bank, Cass Health, Cass County Tourism, Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, and Nishna Valley Family YMCA.

Event Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/share/19iwbcL4C9/

(Clive, Iowa) – Officials with the Iowa Lottery said Sunday that a ticket purchased at Kimmes Denison Country Store (1108 Fourth Ave. S. in Denison) won a $1 million Powerball prize in Saturday night’s drawing. The lucky ticket matched the first five numbers but just missed the Powerball. Saturday’s winning numbers were: 28-37-42-50-53 and Powerball 19. The Power Play® multiplier was 2.

The Denison ticket was one of only four in the entire country to win $1 million that night. The others were in California, Massachusetts, and Maryland. While no one hit the jackpot, the grand prize keeps climbing. It now sits at an estimated $63 million annuity ($30 million lump-sum option) for Monday’s (tonight’s) drawing.

The store that sold the winning ticket will also see some good fortune. Kimmes Denison Country Store earns a $1,000 bonus from the Iowa Lottery.

Important info for the winner:

• Prizes of this size must be claimed at the Iowa Lottery’s main office in Clive.

• The offices are open Monday–Friday, and appointments are encouraged.

• Call 515-725-7900 or email wmaster@ialottery.com with questions or to set up an appointment.

• Don’t wait too long: Powerball prizes in Iowa must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing.

So, if you bought a ticket in Denison, it’s time to check your numbers. That $1 million prize might just have your name on it!