(A report from the Iowa Capital Dispatch) – A legal organization focused on freedom of expression filed a new legal brief Monday asking the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals to keep the injunction in place blocking Iowa’s ban on books that are not “age appropriate” from K-12 schools.

PEN America, a nonprofit focused on freedom of expression, filed the brief in support of the legal challenge mounted by publishers including Penguin Random House, the Iowa State Education Association and several authors, including Laurie Halse Anderson, John Green and Jodi Picoult. The plaintiffs are challenging Senate File 496, a 2023 Iowa law that  prohibits books depicting sex acts from being available in K-12 school libraries, as well as banning programs, materials and instruction related to gender identity and sexual orientation for K-6 students.

U.S. District Court Judge Stephen Locher has ruled to block enforcement of multiple portions of the law, including the prohibition on books involving sexual or LGBTQ+ content. But that injunction could be overturned by the Eight Circuit Court of Appeals, which had ruled in August 2024 that Locher’s “analysis” of the case was not correct and returned it to the district court.

These are some of the books recently banned from Iowa schools under a new state law. (Photo by Ed Tibbetts)

PEN America argued in its brief for the appeals court to keep the latest injunction in place, saying the law “undermines public education systems in violation of the First Amendment by denying students’ rights to receive information, infringing on authors’ free speech rights, and misapplying the obscenity doctrine.”

Iowa public schools had removed 3,400 books from school shelves by the end of 2024, according to the Des Moines Register, including classic literature like “1984” by George Orwell, “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison and “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou. Many school districts have expressed uncertainty about what books can be available in schools under the law, as the Iowa Department of Education had declined to respond to advocates asking for more clarification about “age appropriate” materials as defined by SF 496.

Locher wrote the law “places the burden on local school districts and school officials to determine whether a book is permitted,” and that the measure was “facially unconstitutional” when looking at previous court precedents on First Amendment cases.

In the Monday court brief, PEN America staff attorney Elly Brinkley echoed these concerns, writing that laws that target any and all descriptions of sex in literature have been “squarely condemned” by the U.S. courts in previous decisions, as it abridges students’ First Amendment rights to receive information.

In addition to the lawsuit filed by Penguin Random House, ISEA and authors, there is another challenge filed by Lambda Legal and ACLU of Iowa on behalf of students, teachers and the organization Iowa Safe Schools. Locher ruled in May that parts of the law challenged by Lambda Legal and the ACLU are also unconstitutional, issuing an injunction in May ruling that K-6 students must be allowed to join Gender Sexuality Alliances (GSA) and other student groups related to LGBTQ+ identities and that school districts and teachers must be allowed to provide instruction and materials that contain references to gender identity and sexual orientation, though they cannot be focused on these topics.

(Radio Iowa) _ Some Haitian refugees in Iowa are on the brink of becoming homeless when the federal government ends their temporary protected status in August. Erin Bell is a board member for the nonprofit group Des Moines Refugee Support and says the refugees will get evicted if they can’t find any other employment.  “If they become homeless, they literally will be on the street and then, like, I mean, there’s no way to make it if you can’t work. And that’s all they want is to work,” she says.

She says they’re begging for help finding employment.  “One, for example, worked at HyVee and was let go, and they won’t rehire him, and it has to do with the immigration status and paperwork,” Bell says.

Bell says their option outside of homelessness is to self deport. She also says refugees may not be eligible for government assistance if they end up homeless.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Southwest Iowa Transit Agency (SWITA) is celebrating Ride Transit Week this week July 28th through August 1st and encourages the public to find out more about public transit in the region and take a ride on SWITA. Student transportation registration has also opened for the 2025-26 school year.

Public transit gets Americans to work, to education, to healthcare, and more. It also helps job creation, alleviates traffic congestion, and reduces emissions. In 2024 Americans traveled 39.7 billion miles on public transit during 7.66 billion trips. 6 billion gallons of gasoline are saved each year by using public transportation and a 5-to-1 economic return is produced by long-term investment in public transit.
SWITA is proud to be part of that public transit equation right here in eight Iowa counties. SWITA has continued to support record public transit ridership in the region year-over-year with 552,231 rides in fiscal year 2024 and anticipating an official total near that mark for fiscal year 2025. SWITA’s ride services include taxis in six communities, medical transportation, student transportation, workforce transportation, and special/charter trips.

SWITA vehicles are equipped with wheelchair accessibility and one personal attendant rides free. SWITA has earned major honors for its service this year. SWITA was named the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Regional Transit System of the Year for the third year in a row.  SWITA will be celebrating Ride Transit Week with themed days throughout the week along with hosting driver appreciation events. Stay tuned to the SWITA Facebook page and website for updates throughout the week.

Also, this week, SWITA student transportation registration has opened. SWITA serves in-town student transportation in Atlantic, Glenwood, Harlan, and Red Oak. Registration and payment can be done at www.SWITA.com . Rides are $1.75 each way and a $30 minimum balance is needed to start the school year. To find out more about SWITA and the services offered you can browse SWITA.com or call 800-842-8065 or 712-243-2518.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports four arrests took place this past week. On July 21st, an Iowa State Patrol Trooper conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle authorities received multiple complaints about, with regard to the vehicle being unable to maintain its lane. The vehicle was pulled-over at around 4:30-a.m., and the driver, 62-year-old Kenneth Lee Oglesby, of Lincoln, NE, was arrested following an investigation. He was charged with Possession of Marijuana/1st offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Oglesby was later released on his Own Recognizance.

At around 2:15-p.m. on July 24th, Adair County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 30-year-old Cody Alan Brommel, of Stuart, on an Adair County warrant charging him with Stalking – Possession of a Dangerous Weapon, and Going Armed with intent. The charges were the result of an incident in Greenfield. Brommel was later released on a $20,000 cash-only bond.

At around 2-a.m. Friday, an Adair County Sheriff’s Deputy arrested 27-year-old Macie Ann Tish, of Adair, as she was walking on the eastbound shoulder of I-80, near Casey. Tish was charged with Public Intoxication, and later released on a $300 bond.

Saturday evening, an Iowa State Patrol Trooper arrested 34-year-old Carnell Leshaun Rooks, of North Chesterfield, VA, following a traffic stop on I-80 at Adair. Rooks was charged with being a person ineligible to carry a weapon (2 loaded handguns, 2 extra magazines, 2 boxes of ammo, a cleaning kit and two holsters). He was also charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana – 1st offense. Rooks was later released on a $1,000 bond.

(Guthrie Center, Iowa) – Two people were injured in separate rollover accidents recently, in Guthrie County. The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office, 25-year-old Emily Peggy Hinners, of Aracadia, suffered suspected minor injuries, when, according to Hinners, the 2018 Dodge Journey SUV she was driving went out of control on loose gravel, as the vehicle was traveling westbound on 120th Street at around 1:45-p.m., Friday. The SUV entered the north ditch and rolled-over before coming to rest on its top. Hinners was transported to St. Anthony’s Hospital in Carroll by private vehicle. Her SUV sustained an estimated $7,000 damage and was declared a total loss.

The second rollover accident in Guthrie County, happened at around 12-a.m. Saturday, as a 2008 Chevy pickup driven by 26-year-old Tanner David Goehring, of Guthrie Center, was traveling east on 265th Street. Goehring told authorities he was looking down at his cell phone when the pickup drove-off the road and struck a guard rail caution sign. The impact caused the pickup to roll onto its top into a creek. The vehicle sustained $1,501 damage and was deemed a total loss. Goehring was transported by Panora EMS to Methodist Hospital for treatment of suspected serious injuries.

No citations were issued following either accident.

And, no injuries were reported when a 2004 Honda Accord went out of control at around 3-p.m. Saturday, in Guthrie County. Authorities say the car, driven by 19-year-old Hayden Alyssa Garza, of Midwest City, OK., was traveling north on Zenith Road, when the accident occurred. The car overturned in the west ditch before coming to rest. Damage was estimated at $3,000 (A total loss). Garza was cited for Failure to Maintain Control.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowans who are in the market for a vehicle need to be careful if they’re shopping for those new wheels online. Better Business Bureau spokeswoman Lisa Schiller says you should never buy a car sight unseen. “Always take a test drive before you sign the final paper,” Schiller says. “There’s no substitute for seeing a car in person.” She also recommends getting the car independently inspected, especially if it’s coming from a private sale rather than a dealership.

Image from the Center for Auto Safety.

Schiller says it’s important to know the vehicle’s history and to get a look at it before you sign a title.”You’ve got to look under the hood, sit in the driver’s seat,” she says, “and ensure that the engine runs smoothly.”

Schiller says it’s also worth it to shop around and make sure the price you’re expected to pay is reasonable, and check for discounts from competitors.

(Radio Iowa) – Scattered damage to trees and power lines is reported across northern and central Iowa after thunderstorms last (Sunday) night and early this morning, some of which packed strong winds. MidAmerican Energy reports the power was out to 30-thousand homes statewide at the peak of the storm. National Weather Service meteorologist Brooke Hagenhoff says those winds are to blame. “Around midnight or so we had some gusts between 60 to 70 miles an hour,” Hagenhoff says. “As the storms have gone south through the early morning hours, we’re still seeing gusts between 40 to 50 mph across central to southern Iowa.” Once these storms pass, Hagenhoff says another muggy July day is ahead.

“The heat builds in really quickly and with that also humidity with all of this rain that’s around,” she says. “We’re looking at the heat index this afternoon, that feels-like temperature between 105 to 110 or even higher, so dangerous heat here settling in.” An Extreme Heat Warning will be posted starting at noon for western Iowa and for the state’s southern half, as heat indices may reach as high as 115 degrees, though Hagenhoff says a cool-down is coming soon.

“Southern Iowa is still going to be pretty steamy on Tuesday, but by Wednesday, the entire state is going to see high temperatures just in the 70s,” she says, “so quite a bit of relief on the way if we can just make it to Wednesday.” No injuries were reported in this morning’s severe weather.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department had a busy weekend. Officials report there were 11 arrests between Friday and Sunday. Four people were arrested on separate drug charges:

7/25/2025 @ 1:30 A.M. – Megan Elizabeth Banda, 28, of Creston, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance – Marijuana, 1st Offense. She was cited and released on a promise to appear.

7/25/2025 @ 1:07 P.M.
William Austin Lemon, 67, of Lorimor, was arrested at the intersection of Highway 34 and S. Vine St. Lemon was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance – 3rd or Subsequent Offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was transported to and held at the Union County Jail. And, Juliann Marquis Edsall, 45, of Lorimor, was arrested at the intersection of Highway 34 and S. Vine St. Edsall was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance – 3rd or Subsequent Offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. She was transported to and held at the Union County Jail.

7/26/2025 @ 10:12 P.M. – Jose Reynol Marroquin, 24, of Sullivan City, Texas, was arrested at 900 S. Sumner St. Marroquin was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was cited and released on a promise to appear.

Others arrested include:

7/25/2025 @ 9:19 A.M. – Dennis Paul Speed, 55, homeless, was arrested at 601 N. Oak St. on an outstanding warrant for a parole violation. He was transported to the Union County Jail and is being held on a no-bond warrant; @ 11:41 P.M. Shawn Michael Crawford, 55, of Creston, was arrested at the intersection of Adams and McKinley. Crawford was charged with Operating While Under the Influence, 1st Offense. He was transported to and held at the Union County Jail.

7/26/2025 @ 2:08 P.M. – Jeffrey Dale Joiner, 47, of Red Oak, was arrested at 305 N. Elm St. Joiner was charged with Driving While Barred – Habitual Offender, and Operating While Under the Influence, 2nd Offense. He was transported to and held at the Union County Jail;  @ 8:23 P.M. James Dean Michelson, 32, of Woden, Iowa, was arrested at 102 W. Taylor St. Michelson was charged with Driving While License Denied/Suspended/Cancelled or revoked. He was cited and released on a promise to appear.

7/27/2025 @ 1:07 A.M. – Michael Vincent Cihak, 44, of Afton, was arrested at 102 W. Taylor St. Cihak was charged with Operating While Under the Influence, 2nd Offense, and Carrying a Weapon While Intoxicated. He was transported to and held at the Union County Jail; @ 3:10 A.M. – Eli Kibsaim Ortega, 19, of Lenox, was arrested at 311 N. Sumner St. Ortega was charged with Operating While Under the Influence, 2nd Offense; Interference with Official Acts; and Driving While License Denied/Suspended/Cancelled or revoked. He was transported to and held at the Union County Jail; @ 1:00 P.M. – Trevor Kyle Benge, 40, of Creston, was arrested in the 800 block of N. Elm St. Benge was charged with Driving While Barred – Habitual Violator. Benge was cited and released on a promise to appear.

Incidents:

A woman residing in the 600 block of N. Maple Street in Creston reported Sunday morning, the theft of her 2014 Chevrolet Cruze from her residence. The Vehicle was later located in Creston.

(Radio Iowa) – July is typically Iowa’s hottest month of the year, and while August will arrive later this week, it may be equally as steamy, which can mean trouble for Iowans with vegetable gardens and fruit crops. Aaron Steil, a consumer horticulture specialist at the Iowa State University Extension, says we’ve had some very hot weeks already this summer and problems begin to develop when temperatures go above 90 during the day, and stay around 75 at night. “When we start getting really warm, especially in the vegetable garden, we’re going to start to see things like slow ripening on tomatoes,” Steil says. “You may be looking at your garden and seeing all these green tomatoes and thinking that they’re being very slow to turn red, and that’s very possible in really hot weather.”

Flavor is also affected by hot weather. Cucumbers may taste bitter, and crops like melons and carrots may have reduced sweetness. Temperatures above 85-degrees can delay ripening in multiple types of vegetables. “Sometimes we see a decrease in the yield or fruit set,” Steil says, “so we’ll see flowers drop or really poor pollination, and that can lead to lower yields, but it can also lead to weird-shaped cucumbers or squash.” Some areas of Iowa remain dry, but most have gotten very healthy rains this month. Steil says if you’ve had a lot of heavy rain, it may cause a calcium deficiency in the soil which can lead to blossom end rot, where a big, dark splotch appears on tomatoes.

“Inconsistent moisture doesn’t allow for that calcium to get to that really fast-developing fruit very well and it causes cell walls to break down and then secondary infections pop in,” Steil says. “We see it often on tomatoes, but we can also see it on things like summer squash, peppers and even things like eggplants.” If that rotten spot appears, he recommends plucking and chucking that fruit, which should help the plant produce a new flower. Steil says many Iowa gardeners are having a decent summer, with a good mix of ample sunshine and rain showers. “Many of the plants we grow in our vegetable gardens like it on the warm side, and they always need good amounts of water to produce well,” Steil says. “Sometimes when we get these really big gully washers, we’re more likely to see things like cracking on tomatoes because those tomatoes get so much water so quickly, it actually breaks the skin.” They’re still good to eat, he says, they just may not be as pretty.

If you’re in one of the dry areas, Steil says deep watering once a week can help reduce plant stress and promote deep, resilient roots. Also, he says to add a layer of mulch to help lower soil temperatures and reduce water lost to evaporation.

DELAWARE — [KCCI] – A cyclist riding RAGBRAI’s final leg on Saturday was hit by a motorcyclist in Delaware County.

According to the accident report from the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, a 59-year-old man from Manchester was riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle on 150th Street north of Manchester shortly after 9:30 a.m. Saturday when he accelerated up a hill, encountering a full roadway of RAGBRAI riders.

The sheriff’s office says the motorcyclist moved into the opposite travel lane and witnesses reported he was yelling and screaming at the bicycle traffic before hitting a RAGBRAI rider from behind.

The RAGBRAI rider, a 37-year-old woman from Irving, Texas, sustained minor injuries.

The sheriff’s office says the motorcyclist reported that after the collision, he was confronted by a bicyclist and was shoved.