(Radio Iowa) – Matt Whitaker, President Trump’s NATO Ambassador, ran for the U.S. Senate in 2014 and national media outlets are now reporting he’s considering the 2026 race. Congresswoman Ashley Hinson — mentioned often as a likely candidate should Ernst step aside — held a fundraiser last Saturday and she pledged to fight alongside Trump on a variety of fronts.

Former State Senator Jim Carlin of Sergeant Bluff and former national Libertarian Party leader Joshua Smith of Indianola have both said they’re running against Ernst. Ernst’s withdrawal announcement is expected next Thursday. Iowa has not had an open U.S. Senate race since 2014 when Democrat Tom Harkin announced he would not seek reelection. The last time Iowa had an open races for the U.S. Senate AND governor.

(Radio Iowa) – The college football season gets into full swing this weekend and the pros will soon take the field as well, which will ramp up sports betting in the state. Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission administrator Tina Eick has this advice for those considering betting on the games.

Eick says betting with a licensed operator is the safest option.

She says if you have any doubt the site is legitimate, you can look it up.

Eick also says to remember to not get carried away with sports gambling.

You can call 1-800-BETSOFF if you or someone you know has a betting problem to get confidential help. You can also go to the YourLifeIowa.org website to get help.

(An Iowa Capital Dispatch report) -Drake University is honoring 100 years of Drake Stadium and preparing for another century of operations with a $6 million fundraising campaign, already kicked off with a grant from Prairie Meadows.

The Des Moines private university announced Thursday in a news release the launch of the Drake Stadium Centennial Campaign, which will raise funds for renovations to different aspects of the space, including its track, technology and more. The campaign received a $600,000 grant from Prairie Meadows this summer for the updates.

(Photo: Drake University has announced a fundraising campaign for its 100-year-old stadium. (Photo courtesy of Drake University)

“Drake Stadium is a place where legends compete and communities gather,” said Gary Palmer, president and CEO of Prairie Meadows. “We are proud to support its next chapter and help keep the Blue Oval shining bright.”

Both the track and field surfaces of the stadium are scheduled for replacement under the campaign, the release stated, as well as upgrades to lighting and the video and score boards. The release stated the campaign will also put donations toward updating the stadium press box and adding “two reversible long jump/triple jump and pole vault runways.”

Funds from the campaign will also go toward construction of a “permanent hospitality space” for guests coming to the university for events hosted at the stadium. According to the release, these enhancements will ensure the stadium meets different competition and broadcast standards and improves guest experiences.

First opened in 1925, the release stated the stadium hasn’t seen renovations since 2006. In addition to the annual track and field event the Drake Relays, the stadium has hosted multiple USA Track and Field Championships, NCAA Outdoor Championships and AAU Junior Olympics. It is also home to the Iowa High School Track and Field Championships, Drake football and other community events.
“Drake Stadium is more than just a facility—it’s a century of memories, records, and community pride,” Drake University President Marty Martin said in the release. “With the support of partners like Prairie Meadows and the commitment of our alumni and fans, we’re building the next 100 years of greatness.”

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA – August 28, 2025 – Early this (Thursday) morning, the Council Bluffs Police Department responded to a report of a disturbance that resulted in the arrest of a local man on multiple charges, including attempted murder.

At approximately 1:34 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 2923 Ave. E following a report of a disturbance with multiple individuals screaming in the street. Upon arrival, officers observed a male, later identified as Daniel Smith (DOB 11.26.1975) involved in a physical altercation with a male and female. Smith was identified as the aggressor and probable cause was established that he assaulted the victims with the intent to cause serious injury and because of their ancestry.

The male and female victims were treated for laceration at the local hospitals for medical treatment.

Daniel Smith has been charged with:
• Attempt to Commit Murder
• Assault in Violation of Individual Rights with a Dangerous Weapon
• Domestic Abuse Assault, 1st Offense Causing Bodily Injury

All three individuals involved reside at the address where the incident took place. This incident was closed by arrest by Council Bluffs Police Uniform Division. The suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

(Radio Iowa) – With fake reports of shootings or “swatting” calls at Iowa State University on Monday, followed by the deadly mass shooting in Minneapolis on Wednesday, some college students may be finishing this first week of classes feeling anxious. Multiple campuses nationwide had swattings in recent days, and while there were none at the University of Iowa, UI senior Samantha Stewart tells KCRG-TV she’s nervous about looming violence on the Iowa City campus.

“I think about that kind of stuff on a daily basis,” Stewart says. “The T. Anne Cleary walkway is named after someone who died in a shooting. It’s absolutely something that worries me.” Cleary was one of the five victims of a 1991 shooting at the UI.

Radio Iowa file photo

Both Iowa and Iowa State have emergency alert systems to communicate with their campus communities about threats. The “Hawk Alerts” make some students feel more secure, and UI junior David Markusic says he’s comfortable on campus and in downtown Iowa City. “I try to live not worried, but obviously I understand that people should be worried,” Markusic says. “It’s a bad thing that’s happening, so I completely understand that.”

In the past week, at least 11 colleges and universities nationwide had swatting incidents. In the wake of the fake shooting calls elsewhere, UI graduate student Jack Bryson says he’d like more communication about swatting as a reminder for students to sign up for the alert system. “If the university could put out some form of mass email, just letting people know that this is happening and it’s something to be aware of,” Bryson says. “Make sure everyone is signed up for Hawk Alerts. It would be a great program to have.”

The Iowa Campus Safety team creates the Hawk Alerts, which send information about the affected location to the phones of students and employees to urge people to stay out of the area and keep safe.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – Officials with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) today, released more information on a fatal, officer-involved shooting that took place Wednesday evening, in Council Bluffs.

Authorities say at approximately 5:35 p.m., Wednesday an Iowa State Patrol Trooper initiated a traffic stop of a vehicle near the 77-mile marker on Interstate 29. During the traffic stop, a male subject, later identified as 48-year-old Michael Broyles of Battlefield, Missouri, brandished a firearm and then fled. A short pursuit ensued involving the Iowa State Patrol, the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, and the Council Bluffs Police Department. At the conclusion of the pursuit, Broyles exited his vehicle with a firearm and ultimately fired at the responding officers. The officers returned fire, striking Broyles.

Law enforcement and EMS on scene provided medical care and transported Boyles to Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs, where he was later pronounced deceased. The officers involved were uninjured and have been placed on critical incident leave in accordance with their departmental policies.

This is an ongoing investigation, and no further details will be released at this time. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is conducting the investigation into the shooting. Once the investigation is complete, the findings will be forwarded to the Pottawattamie County Attorney and the Iowa Attorney General’s Office for their review.

(Creston, Iowa) – Two women were injured when the SUV they were in was struck by a semi tractor-trailer in Creston, Wednesday afternoon. According to Creston Police, the SUV, driven by 51-year-old Lorraine Murphy, of Creston, was traveling south on Osage Street at around 12:35-p.m., when the semi, driven by 65-year-old David Travis, of Creston, pulled out of the Creston Co-Op parking lot and making a left-hand turn, when the front bumper of the semi struck the SUV on the passenger side. The impact caused the front and side airbags in the SUV to be deployed.

Murphy, and her passenger, 77-year-old Sharon Ann Cooper, of Creston, were transported to the hospital in Creston by Medic 1, for treatment of what were described as minor injuries. David Travis was not injured in the collision. Damage to the vehicles amounted to a total of $18,500.  (Photos from the Creston Fire Department Facebook page)