(Radio Iowa) – Union workers at the Kemps dairy plant in Le Mars are on strike. The employees voted a week ago to authorize a strike and gave Kemps until Wednesday to make a new contract offer. Adrian Macias (muh-SEE-us), recording secretary and organizer for Teamsters Local five-54 (554), says Kemps made an offer Thursday for the plant’s 200 employees.

The strike began at six o’clock last (Thursday) night.

A majority of employees at the plant voted to join the Teamsters in December and union representatives have been negotiating with the company since March. Macias says a Zoom meeting with the company is scheduled for one o’clock today (Friday).

Kemps is a subsidiary of Dairy Farmers of America. The cooperative issued a statement, saying it has been negotiating in good faith and is committed to a bargaining process that offers competitive wages and benefits. The Dairy Farmers of America is encouraging the union to return to the bargaining table and is taking steps to continue serving customers, including the local schools. The Kemps plant in Le Mars produces milk, cream, cottage cheese, sour cream, dips and ice cream mix.

DES MOINES COUNTY, Iowa – In an update to a previous press release, the Iowa Department of Public Safety, today (Thursday), said that a little after 9-p.m. Tuesday, August 5, 2025, the Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office responded to a domestic disturbance call for service in rural Des Moines County, Iowa. A deputy arrived at the residence and made contact with a 46-year-old male identified as David Maupin.

Preliminary information indicates that during the course of a verbal exchange between Maupin and the deputy, Maupin became uncooperative and produced a firearm. The deputy discharged his firearm at Maupin. Maupin received emergency medical treatment for gunshot injuries but ultimately died at the scene. The deputy was uninjured.

The involved deputy has been placed on paid critical incident leave in accordance with Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office policy.

This is an ongoing investigation conducted by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). Upon conclusion, investigative findings will be forwarded to the Office of the Iowa Attorney General for review.

(Sac County, Iowa) – A collision between a pickup and car this (Thursday) morning in Sac County, resulted in a death. According to the Iowa State Patrol, 90-year-old Roy Russom, of Wall Lake – who was wearing his seat belt – died after his vehicle was struck as he tried to take evasive action, in order to avoid a pickup that was attempting to pass a semi.

The driver of the pickup – 47-year-old Jeremy Fank, of Carroll, also took evasive action. Both vehicles swerved toward the west ditch, but they collided, with the car being hit on the driver’s side. Fank was not injured.

The car and 2013 Dodge RAM pickup came to rest in the west ditch. The accident happened at around 7:30-a.m., on Union Avenue. The Patrol says dense fog was present at the time of the crash. Lake View Police and the Sac County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Democratic Party is conducting a survey to gauge whether Iowa Democrats favor hosting Caucuses at the start of the 2028 presidential campaign — no matter what. At President Biden’s urging, national party leaders forbid Iowa Democrats from continuing their tradition of holding first-in-the-nation Caucuses in 2024. Iowa Democratic Party chair Rita Hart says the Biden Calendar was a big mistake.

(as said) “To know that Iowa Republicans are going first here in this state and that, as Democrats we sat and watched all this attention and the millions of dollars being spent in the state,” Hart said. “…And that did not help us here in Iowa and it did not help us…for the national Democratic cause.” Hart says when she was reelected Iowa Democratic Party chair in January, she promised a family conversation about Iowa’s role in the next presidential campaign.

(as said) “My job is to bring Iowa Democrats together,” Hart said, “and that is the aim of this survey.” Scott Brennan of Des Moines, a member of the Democratic National Committee, expects the party’s national chairman to announce next week when states can make their official pitch to go first in 2028. However, Brennan says while Iowans are typically rule followers, he and others in the party are prepared to “go rogue” and ignore party dictates.

(as said) “The DNC does not control us,” Brennan said, “and we control our own destiny, whatever that looks like.” Some Democrats have said the Caucuses divert the party’s attention from local candidates and Iowa races. Hart says making Iowa a competitive, two-party state again is her primary goal.

(as said) “We’ve got to keep our sights on 2026,” Hart said. “If and win when we win some races in 2026, that going to help us all in what we find out from this survey are our priorities going forward.” Hart will be hosting regional town hall events to discuss the survey and the survey questions are posted on the Iowa Democratic Party’s website. Iowans who’ve participated in the caucuses or plan to do so in the future have ’til November 15th to respond to the survey. Iowa Democratic Party leaders will discuss the results at a meeting in December.

DES MOINES, Iowa – The Federal Bureau of Investigation is seeking to identify any potential victims of former gymnastics coach, Sean Michael Gardner.  If you and/or your minor dependent(s) were victimized or you know of someone victimized by Sean Michael Gardner, you may contact the FBI by following the link below:

https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/victim-services/seeking-victim-information/seeking-victim-information-in-sean-michael-gardner-investigation

According to allegations in the criminal complaint filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, between December 2017 and April 2018, Sean Michael Gardner, now 38, placed a hidden camera in a bathroom at a gymnastics studio in Purvis, Mississippi, where he was then working as a gymnastics coach.  Gardner created multiple videos depicting numerous minors in stages of undress in that bathroom including close-up views of their anuses and genitals.  Gardner moved from Mississippi to Iowa in 2018 to coach at a gym in West Des Moines, Iowa.  West Des Moines Police searched Gardner’s apartment in late May 2025.  Forensic examination of electronic devices seized from Gardner’s West Des Moines apartment uncovered the hidden camera recordings taken in the Mississippi gym bathroom.

Gardner will remain detained in federal custody pending further proceedings in the Southern District of Mississippi.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation-Child Exploitation Task Force, Federal Bureau of Investigation-Jackson, Mississippi Division, Iowa Department of Public Safety-Division of Criminal Investigation-Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and West Des Moines Police Department are investigating this case.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – Aug. 21, 2025 – If you drive on Iowa 127 in Mondamin you need to be aware of an upcoming construction project that may slow down your trip, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s (DOT) District 4 Office.

Beginning on Monday, Sept. 15, until Friday, Sept. 19, weather permitting, crews will close Iowa 127 for a project at the Union Pacific Railroad crossing.

When the roadway is closed, you will follow a marked detour route by traveling on Interstate 29 to U.S. 30 near Missouri Valley, then travel on U.S. 30 to Iowa 127 to reach Mondamin.

• 30-year-old Kyle Lynn Wilson, of Hancock, was arrested August 15th on a warrant for violation of probation. Wilson was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held.
• 41-year-old Thomas Irwin Zowasky, of Atlantic, was arrested August 16th, for public intoxication and disorderly conduct. Zowasky was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and later released on his own recognizance.
• Two people were arrested August 18th in Cass County: 41-year-old Cory Ross Smith, of Elliott, was arrested for Driving while barred. Smith was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and later released on his own recognizance; and, 28-year-old Tristin Lee River Stevens, of Omaha, was arrested for Driving while barred and possession of drug paraphernalia. Stevens was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and later released on his own recognizance.
• Two people were arrested on August 19th: 34-year-old Tera Dawn Lutz, of Atlantic, was arrested for Possession of marijuana 1st and possession of drug paraphernalia. Lutz was transported to the Cass County Jail where she was booked and later released on her own recognizance; And, 36-year-old Anthony James Smith, of Atlantic, was arrested on charges of Domestic assault with bodily injury/1st offense, and Assault with bodily injury. Smith was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and later released on bond.

(Harlan, Iowa) – The Shelby County Roads Department reports, beginning Monday, August 25, 2025, Shelby County will begin repaving County Road M-16. County Road M-16 will be Closed to Thru Traffic from the City of Shelby to State Hwy. 44.

Additionally, County Road M-16 from State Highway 44 to County Road F-32 will be closed at a later date as this project continues. Please use an alternate route during this time unless you are needing access to your property along these portions of County Road M-16.

Please be mindful of construction workers and equipment. Line markings will not be present during this time, so please use caution traveling. Construction is expected to last until Late-October depending on the weather.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with Sunnyside Pool in Atlantic report the close of another wonderful summer season, made possible by the incredible support of the community. “From opening day to final splashes,”officials say, “this year was one of our most successful seasons yet, thanks to community members, local partners, and everyone who joined in the fun at the pool. This summer showed just how much our pool and recreation options mean to our community.”

Sunnyside Pool will be open for its final two days of the season on Friday, August 22nd, and Saturday, August 23rd, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to come out, enjoy the last days of summer at the pool, and help close the season with a splash. The deck games will all be out, concessions are discounted and the last cannon balls will be counted!

The Sunnyside Pool management extends its heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported the pool this summer.