(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird says lawyers in her office as well as private attorneys are conducting the investigation to determine if staff at Iowa’s three public universities violated the state law that forbids diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. “Iowa law tasks my office with the responsibility of making sure that when there’s a complaint, and there recently was one filed by the governor, related to D.E.I. practices at our state universities that we investigate that,” Bird said, “so that investigation is still ongoing.” Bird made her comments to reporters yesterday (Thursday).

Undercover videos released online this summer appeared to show University of Iowa and Iowa State University employees talking about how they were getting around the ban on D-E-I programming on the campuses. A month ago at a campaign fundraiser, Bird promised to pull the curtain back and release a public report once the investigation is done.

(Radio Iowa) By deciding not to run for reelection, Governor Kim Reynolds and Iowa Senator Joni Ernst have set off a cascade of campaign announcements that will continue this weekend.

Second district Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Marion announced on Tuesday that she was running for the U.S. Senate and less than an hour later State Representative Shannon Lundgren, a Republican from Peosta, said she was considering a campaign for Iowa’s second district congressional seat. A couple of hours after that, former Congressman Rod Blum of Dubuque posted a message on Facebook that said he was ready to help the President again — and to “stay tuned.” In Iowa’s fourth district, Republican Congressman Randy Feenstra has been raising money and recently said he’ll formally kick off his campaign for governor in September. A northern Iowa farmer plans to join the four other Republicans who’ve been campaigning for the fourth district congressional seat. Twenty-nine-year-old Christian Schlaefer, a farmer from Bancroft, plans to kick off his campaign for congress tomorrow (Saturday), with an appearance at the Clay County Fair.

The four Republicans are already running in the fourth congressional district are Humboldt farmer Kyle Larsen, Siouxland Chamber of Commerce president Chris McGowan, Iowa Tea Party founder Ryan Rhodes and former Iowa House Majority Leader Matt Windschitl. Three Democrats have begun campaigning in the district. Former state legislator Dave Dawson of Lawton announced his campaign last week. Stephanie Steiner, a nurse from Sutherland, and Ashley WolfTornabane, a stay-at-home mom from Storm Lake, began their campaigns earlier this summer.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Congressman Zach Nunn is part of a bipartisan group of House lawmakers pushing to ban members of Congress from trading stocks. “The shot clock starts right now. We can end insider trading,” Nunn said. “We can help restore integrity to government and this team right here is the one who’s going to get it done this cycle.” Nunn made his comments at a news conference that featured lawmakers from across the political spectrum, including New York Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Texas Republican Chip Roy.

“This isn’t a Republican or a Democrat issue. This is a group of individuals that are fighting because it is unfair that members of congress are trading on insider information and performing 60% better than most of the trading companies in New York City.” Nunn — a Republican from Ankeny — backed a bill in 2023 that would have banned members of congress and their spouses from making individual trades in stocks, futures and options while in office.

Legislation that narrowly cleared a committee in the U.S. Senate in July would ban elected officials in the legislative and executive branches of the federal government from making stock trades. Some Republican senators have criticized the concept, saying it would discourage people from the private sector from seeking office.

(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department report five recent arrests. Four people were arrested on separate charges, Thursday:

• 59-year-old James Orville Conley, of Creston, was arrested at his residence Thursday afternoon, and charged with allowing an Animal to run at Large. Conley was cited and released from the scene on a Promise to Appear in court;
• Thursday evening, 34-year-old Danny Harold Patty, JR., of Creston, was arrested in the 600 block of N. Chestnut Street, under the authority of a Scott County warrant for 3 counts of Failure to Appear. Patty was being held in the Union County Jail on a cash-only bond amounting to $6,005;
• Thursday night, 26-year-old Alley Ray Butler, of Creston, was arrested at a residence in the 1100 block of W. Montgomery Street. Butler was charged with two-counts of Child Endangerment,  Maintaining a Drug House/Vehicle, Intent to Deliver Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Alley Butler was transported to the Clarke County Jail and held on an $11,300 bond; and, at the same residence, and at around the same time, Creston Police Thursday, arrested 29-year-old Alexus Butler, of Creston. Butler was taken into custody on an Adams County warrant for Failure to Appear. Butler posted a $200 cash-only bond before being released.

Early this (Friday) morning, Creston Police arrested 34-year-old Danny Patty, of Creston at the Union County Jail, on charges that include two-counts of Child Endangerment, Maintain a Drug House/Vehicle, Intent to Deliver Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. His bail on the charges was set at $11,300.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office, Thursday, said the Sheriff’s Department K9 “Danken” and the Glenwood Police Department, assisted in the apprehension on Wednesday, of a wanted subject.

In a news release, the agency said they received an anonymous tip Wednesday, with regard to the location of a man who had active felony warrants in Mills County and surrounding jurisdictions. The man – identified as 47-year-old Aaron Michael Lacy – was reportedly staying in a camper located on a property in Mills County.

Mills County Sheriff’s Dept. K9 “Danken” (Mills County K9 Facebook photo)

At the scene, arriving deputies located a vehicle associated with Lacy, and they found a man matching his description fleeing on foot eastbound, from the camper. Mills County Deputy Rice, along with his K9 partner Danken, began a track of the suspect and ultimately found him in a wooded area, hiding in a tree. Aaron Lacy was taken into custody without further incident and was transported to the Mills County Jail. His preliminary hearing was set for Sept. 12th in Mills County District Court.

Authorities say in addition to his Mills County warrants, Lacy was wanted on warrants out of Audubon County (IA) and Douglas County (NE). He was charged with Interference with Official Acts associated with his attempt to flee. The Mills County K9 thanks the community for its continued support of the program. “The ongoing partnership between our deputies, K9’s and residents,” authorities say, “plays a vital role in keeping Mills County safe.”

Disclaimer: “A criminal charge is merely an accusation. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.”

(Radio Iowa) – Many people are dreaming of becoming billionaires by winning the (as of the posting of this report) estimated one-point-seven BILLION dollar Powerball jackpot Saturday night. Iowa Lottery C-E-O Matt Strawn says there are a few things you need to do if you do win. “Secure that ticket. So whether that’s the bank security box or some secure place, secure that ticket and then consult A trusted advisor. Whether it’s a financial advisor or an attorney, put together a plan for coming in to claim that prize,” Strawn says. Strawn says you have plenty of time to make that plan. “You have 180 days to come see us at lottery headquarters to make arrangements for claiming your prize. So while we would love to know who you are right away on that first day, just know that there is no pressure,” he says. “You have the opportunity to take your time, consult professional advisors and then come and see us and we’ll have that celebration.”

Strawn says the Iowa Lottery would find out if there is a jackpot winner late Saturday. “If it did happen to be sold in Iowa very shortly thereafter, I will know where that ticket was sold, not just the community it was sold in, but the particular retailer that sold that ticket,” Strawn says. He says they prepare for the winner as soon as they know there’s an Iowa winner. “There’s a whole sequence of security processes that take place with our investigators, because even though we may not know who bought that ticket yet, we know that we need to start the investigating process to make sure we know as much about that purchase as possible before an individual comes in to claim the price,” Strawn says.

You would have the option of 770 million in cash or select to get yearly payments. This is the third-largest jackpot in U-S history, and the largest since a a one-point-765 billion jackpot was won in 2023.

(Radio Iowa) – The Catholic Diocese of Des Moines is reviewing emergency procedures for its schools after last week’s shootings at a Minneapolis Catholic school that left two children dead and injured 21 other worshipers, most of them children. The diocese will review procedures for situations beyond the classroom, like in church, at recess, and in the lunchroom. Diocese spokeswoman Anne Marie Cox says they’re also asking schools to practice emergency drills.

Cox says, “Our parishes, they have a balancing act to address with making sure that the people who come to our worship centers are safe while offering hospitality and welcoming those who want to come to pray or celebrate the Eucharist with us.” Before the shooting, the diocese told parishes to enhance security by using the same door for entering and exiting, and by keeping doors open during services. They also encouraged ushers to keep an eye out for unusual behavior. The former bishop of the diocese says people need to push for gun control measures and more attention to mental health issues. Bishop Richard Pates says the church should pray for students and staff impacted by the shooting, but also accompany prayer with action. Pates said pushing for more gun control will require both moral and political strength.

“This is something we really need to do,” Pates says. “If we love our children, love ourselves, etcetera, because the shootings oftentimes in different scenarios are indiscriminate.” Pates previously served at the Annunciation Church and School in Minneapolis before coming to Iowa. He says working towards gun-related changes will be a hard fight. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz says he will call lawmakers there back for a special session to vote on gun control measures.

Cox and Pate made their comments on the Iowa Public Radio program River to River.

(Creston, Iowa) – Firefighters in Creston responded Thursday afternoon to a residential structure fire in the 600 block of North Chestnut Street. The call came in a little before 4-p.m. Authorities say when crews arrived, they saw flames coming through the bedroom windows of the home. The occupants had safely evacuated prior to firefighters’ arrival.

The Creston Police Department, Union County Sheriff’s Office, Greater Regional Health’s Medic 1, and Union County Emergency Management Agency were also on-site to provide additional services and assist the displaced family.

Additional firefighting response to the scene was received from crews with the Afton Volunteer Fire Department. Creston firefighters wrapped-up their work a little after 6-p.m., but were called-back to the scene to check for hot spots before securing the structure.

The cause of the fire is currently undetermined. No injuries were reported. (Photos by Chuck Spindler with the Creston VFD via their Facebook page)

(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS) is investigating a cluster of Legionnaires’ disease cases among individuals living in north central Marshalltown. Since the beginning of the investigation, 21 individuals have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease and an older adult with underlying health conditions has died. Iowa HHS shares our condolences to the family and friends of this individual.

Legionnaires’ disease is caused by Legionella bacteria and thrives in warm water environments and is typically spread through the inhalation of aerosolized water droplets, such as mist from cooling towers, hot tubs, and decorative fountains. Legionnaires’ disease is not contagious and most healthy people who are exposed to Legionella bacteria do not get sick.

“Iowans should know that Legionnaires’ disease can be effectively treated with antibiotics if diagnosed early. Adults aged 50 and older, those who smoke or individuals with chronic lung conditions should seek medical care promptly if they develop flu-like or respiratory symptoms,” said Dr. Robert Kruse, Medical Director at Iowa HHS.

(Photo of Legionella from the Centers for Disease Control CDC)

People who are more likely to experience severe illness from Legionnaires’ disease include individuals 50 years and older, those with weakened immune systems, those with chronic respiratory conditions (e.g. asthma, COPD) and smokers. Symptoms most associated with pneumonia and Legionnaires’ disease include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Muscle aches
• Headaches
• Chest pain
• Gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea

The risk to anyone who lives or visits Marshalltown is low, however, Iowa HHS recommends that individuals who live and work in this area and who become ill with pneumonia-like illness visit their primary care doctor and discuss this advisory. Iowa HHS has communicated with health care providers to consider testing for Legionnaire’s disease (LD) in any patient who develops pneumonia and lives in, works in, or has spent significant time in north central Marshalltown the 14 days before symptom onset.

Additionally, Iowa HHS is asking businesses and property owners to review their water management practices, especially those with cooling towers, hot tubs, or fountains. The following steps are recommended to help mitigate the spread of Legionella:

• Review, maintain and/or establish a water management program.
• Disinfection of cooling towers and water systems to prevent bacteria growth.
• Perform routine water system maintenance and maintain records and logs.
• Perform Legionella testing through accredited laboratories, particularly following any remediation efforts.