(Radio Iowa) – A police chase early this (Tuesday) morning led to hundreds of central Iowans losing electricity. Des Moines police say an officer spotted a stolen SUV about 3 AM and when trying to pull the vehicle over, the driver sped away, leading to a chase that lasted about four minutes. Police say the driver lost control, hit a utility pole and took off on foot, and police say the teenager was captured about a block away.

The pole that was hit resulted in about 1,400 Des Moines customers losing power. MidAmerican Energy says all were restored within about four hours.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports a man was cited last week for Driving While Barred. An Adair County Deputy conducted a traffic stop August 26th at around 7:24-p.m., on a pickup truck in the 1700 block of Hiughway 25, and found the registered own/driver, 45-year-old Kenneth James Partlow, of Menlo, was driving while being barred for being an habitual offender. Partlow was issued a summons to appear in court, and a written warning for unlawful use of license, and failure to provide proof of liability. He was released from the scene.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The driver of a semi tractor-trailer was injured during an accident this (Tuesday) morning, off of westbound Interstate 80, in Cass County. As we reported earlier, the accident happened just before 7-a.m.  Cass County Sheriff John Westering said the Cass County Communications Center received a call about the crash, which led to the dispatch of rescue personnel and law enforcement.

Buck Creek Road was blocked by the semi for a time. It’s a road that gets minimal traffic, according to the Sheriff, who said the accident could have been much worse if the semi hadn’t gone into the median and into eastbound traffic. It could have resulted in a head-on crash.

Photo courtesy Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Kennon.

Des Moines, IA (September 2, 2025) – Des Moines International Airport (DSM) has launched a new EZ Pickup program designed to simplify the passenger pickup process, reduce congestion at the front curb, and improve the travel experience during ongoing terminal construction. The program allows drivers to wait for up to two hours, free of charge, in a designated section of the airport’s parking garage while their passengers make their way from the terminal. “DSM is committed to making travel easier for Iowans, and EZ Pickup is one more way we’re keeping that promise,” said Brian Mulcahy, Chief Executive Officer of Des Moines Airport Authority. “With passenger numbers climbing and construction reducing roadway space into the pickup and drop-off lanes, this system helps relieve pressure on the terminal front curb while
providing a smoother, less stressful pickup experience.”

The EZ Pickup process is simple:

• Drivers follow signage to the EZ Pickup area inside the parking garage.
• Once waiting at a numbered stall, the driver texts their stall number to the arriving passenger.
• The passenger exits the terminal, follows signage to the EZ Pickup area, and meets the driver at their designated spot.
• Drivers may remain in their vehicles for up to two hours, free of charge.

The program is a key component of DSM’s #FlyingProgress initiative and will remain in place through the construction and opening of the airport’s new terminal. “With the temporary limitations on space during construction, curbside pickups are no longer a sustainable option,” Mulcahy said. “EZ Pickup is designed to shift the pickup process to a safer and more convenient location.” To help enforce this change and ensure safety, curbside pickup will be strictly limited to active pickups only, meaning the passenger must be present and ready with their luggage. Vehicles waiting or left unattended at the curb will be subject to citations.

For those wishing to wait offsite, DSM’s Cell Phone Lot remains available for up to 20 minutes of free waiting. A step-by-step instructional video and fully detailed webpage have been created to help drivers
and passengers adapt to the new system. Full details are available at http://www.flydsm.com/EZ-Pickup.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports three people were arrested recently on separate drug-related charges.

43-year-old Dirk Wayne Parrish, of Tingly, was arrested in the parking lot of O’Reilly’s Auto Parts in Creston. Parrish was charged with Fail to Affix Drug Tax Stamp – 7 or more grams, Maintain Drug House – Vehicle, Possession of Controlled Substance – 3rd, and Intent Manufacture/Deliver Meth Over 5g Under 5Kg. He was transported and held at the Union County Jail on $42,000 cash or surety bond.

29-year-old Jacob Jack Davis, of Cromwell, was arrested on an outstanding warrant on original charges that include Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Interference with Official Acts, and Public Intoxication. Davis was transported and held at the Union County Jail on $900.00 cash or surety bond

and, 66-year-old Anita Rose Fasce, of Creston, was arrested at the Union County Law Enforcement Center on charges of Disorderly Conduct – Loud Raucous Noise, and Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drug. Fasce was being held in the Union County Jail on a $1,300 cash or surety bond.

(Radio Iowa) – An emergency medical physician is urging Iowa parents who have small kids living in their homes to avoid buying any sort of health-related gummies. Dr. Benjamin Orozco, a medical toxicologist with Emplify Health by Gundersen, says kids get curious and they love candy, and if gummies are in the house, there’s a chance your child could end up seriously ill — or worse — if they find the bottle. “Any supplements, whether it be gummy vitamins, melatonin, recreational marijuana use in adults that’s in gummy form, any of that stuff is a very high risk to be eaten by children, especially toddlers in large amounts,” Orozco says. “They’ll eat the whole bottle, and depending on what the product is, you can actually have a fair amount of toxicity associated with that.”

Despite what the label says, he says the concentrations may be all over the map. If your child is discovered feeling woozy with the container nearby, you’d better make a fast call to the Iowa Poison Control Center. “If you call the poison center and your kid is alert and talking, they can walk you through the treatment and observation for that,” he says. “Many times, you’ll be able to keep the kid at home, but they’ll appropriately identify the kids that need to be in the hospital. I always put in a plug for the poison center at 1-800-222-1222.” Orozco says he’s not a fan of children being given melatonin for help with sleep as he says many supplements are “littered with problems.”

“First of all, it may not get to the root cause of why the child is having poor sleep,” Orozco says. “Second of all, even if you buy melatonin and there’s a labeled amount on the bottle, recent studies show you could have three or four times as much melatonin in there than you think you’re getting your child, none at all, or potentially CBD or some other substance all together.” There are plenty of non-medical ways to help a kid with sleep, including enforcing a regular sleep schedule, banning screens before bedtime, having regular meal times and plenty of physical activity. Orozco says it’s risky to have this sort of supplement in the house with kids, and he recommends if adults need any of these products, get them in pill or tablet form so they don’t tempt a child.

“Avoid gummies, chocolate bars, things like that, at all costs,” Orozco says. “Don’t have them out where your kids can see them. Don’t take them in front of your kids, because they’ll look for them later. They need to be locked up high and out of sight. And really, I don’t like gummy and candy forms for any sort of supplement or recreational substance in the house with small children.” If a child takes an adult dose of any medication, he says “any is too many,” but gobbling an entire bottle of gummies could land them in the I-C-U. It’s safer, Orozco says, to simply not allow them in the house.

DES MOINES – State Treasurer Roby Smith is celebrating College Savings Month this September with a statewide giveaway! Five Iowa students will each win a $1,000 contribution to an ISave 529 account, and each winner will choose a K-12 school to receive an additional $1,000 donation. “Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, guardian, the fun aunt or the cool neighbor – anyone can register a child to try and jump-start saving for their future educational expenses,” said Treasurer Smith. “Iowans from Larchwood to Keokuk and everywhere in-between should visit Iowa529Contest.com throughout the month of September and register a child in their life. The winners won’t just make a difference in that child’s life, but will also help out a school of their choice in the process.”

Iowans can register to win a $1,000 ISave 529 contribution and $1,000 to a K-12 school now through September 30 at Iowa529Contest.com. It takes about 60 seconds to register and give a child in your life the gift of education. Connect with ISave 529 on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn to stay informed of updates and news.

More About ISave 529:

ISave 529 is Iowa’s direct-sold 529 plan administered by State Treasurer Roby Smith. With the plan people can save for future educational expenses for themselves, children, grandchildren or more and Iowa taxpayers can deduct up to $5,800 in contributions per beneficiary account from their state income taxes in 2025. An ISave 529 account can be opened with as little as $25, and anyone – parents, grandparents, even friends – can contribute. The plan offers a variety of investment options and is easy to manage online at ISave529.com or through the READYSAVE 529 app.

To learn how you can open an ISave 529 account, visit ISave529.com. For more information about the plan, read the Program Description.

DECORAH, Iowa — The Crown Prince of Norway, Haakon, will visit Iowa next month as part of a tour celebrating 200 years of organized immigration from Norway to the United States.

Prince Haakon, who is second in line to the Norwegian throne, will make three stops in the country, including Decorah, which has significant Norwegian history and ties.

The prince is expected to visit between Oct. 6 and Oct. 9.

H.R.H. Crown Prince Haakon (Royal House of Norway photo)

(Radio Iowa) – National data indicates the popularity of weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy is creating losses — for the restaurant industry. Jessica Dunker is president and C-E-O of the Iowa Restaurant Association. “When people first started talking to me about this, oh, up around the first of the year, I thought: ‘Hmm. That doesn’t make a lot of sense,'” Dunker said. “But as more and more of the population is taking these GLP-1s, there’s a couple of side effects that are maybe unforeseen and they do impact restaurants.”

For every 1000 people IN IOWA, a dozen had a prescription for Ozempic and Wagovy that was being covered by insurance according to a recent Axios report. Dunker says that doesn’t count others who are paying up to 13-hundred dollars out of pocket for a month’s supply — using disposable income to lose weight and get healthy, leaving less money to go out for a meal.

“Secondly, their appetites are definitely impacted by this,” Dunker said. “We’re finding that people do go out less. They spent less when they arrive. They are definitely choosing smaller portion sizes or only maybe just a small appetizer and one drink, versus someone who maybe would have come for dinner.” A survey by Bloomberg found 54 percent of G-L-P-one users said they’ve dined out less frequently since starting the medication. It’s having an effect in Iowa restaurants that offer table service, according to Dunker.

“We’re not going to encourage anyone to not get healthy, but there is real impact there,” Dunker said, “so if you have had a recent weight loss, come out and celebrate with something healthy and bring some friends along.”

As Radio Iowa recently reported, Dunker is predicting up to 600 Iowa restaurants will close this year because of they’re losing money due to the rising costs of food and labor.