(Radio Iowa) – A third Democrat has just announced he’s running for the U-S Senate seat currently Republican Joni Ernst. Thirty-three year old Zach Wahls of Coralville has been a state senator since 2019. If elected in 2026, he’d become the youngest member of the U-S Senate. “I’ll tell you this,” Wahls said during an interview with Radio Iowa. “We’re going to bring generational change to Washington, D.C. whether they’re ready for it or not.” Wahls says as a U-S Senator, he’d have a new perspective on the challenges young families face. “Paid family leave is an issue that affects so many people and the lack of it for so many families is incredibly challenging,” Wahls says. “I believe that in Iowa how many kids you have, not how many kids you can afford.” Wahls and his wife are the parents of a boy born in March of last year.

“There was a lot of conversation with my wife Chloe about what we can do in this moment and I decided to run because Iowans are working hard, but aren’t getting ahead,” Wahls says. “And I want to do something to help solve the problems that hardworking families are facing.” In 2023, Wahls was leader of Democrats in the Iowa Senate. Fellow Democrats replaced him after he fired to long-time senate staffers. Wahls said he made the moves because the status quo wasn’t been working for Democrats, but there was obviously resistance to change. Now, Wahls told Radio Iowa his track record of standing up to leaders of both parties when they’re not delivering for Iowans.”We’re 48th in income, 49th in GDP and there was a report out last week that had us dead last in terms of the overall economy of our state,” Wahls said. “That’s unacceptable and it’s time for leadership in Washington that’s ready to do the job.”

State Senator Zach Wahls of Coralville is running for the Iowa Democratic Party’s 2026 U.S. Senate nomination. (Photo provided by Wahls campaign)

Ernst has hired a manager for her 2026 reelection bid, a move Wahls says violates her 2014 campaign pledge to serve only two terms in the U-S Senate.  “It’s clear that she’s lost the courage to stand up for her convictions,” Wahls says. “We saw that on full display when she decided to support Pete Hegseth against what were clear reservations that she had that were borne out in spectacular display when Signalgate blew up earlier this year.” The Defense Secretary used the commercial messaging app Signal to share details of an upcoming military attack in Yemen.

Yesterday (Tuesday), the New York Times reported that when Wahls was a college student, he’d discussed his pornography preferences in an online forum. Wahls told the paper he was talking about Playboy and porn like a normal guy and Democratic operatives who’d raised the issue won’t scare him off from running. Democrats J.D. Scholten of Sioux City and Nathan Sage of Indianola have previously announced they’re running for the U-S Senate.

(Radio Iowa) – Several hundred demonstrators rallied in downtown Des Moines last (Tuesday) night in opposition to ICE raids in Los Angeles and the Trump administration deploying Marines and the National Guard against protestors. Similar rallies have happened in Sioux City, Davenport and Cedar Rapids in recent days. Angel Pavon is a college student from Des Moines. He says migrants want to make a life in the U.S. but federal officials are calling them a danger to the public.  “They’re being told we’re the danger, we’re bringing the chaos. But they’re not seeing us fully,” Pavon says. “They’re not seeing the fear we live in, the silence that we’re forced into, the pain we carry every time another door gets kicked in.” There was no police presence at the Des Moines rally, but it followed a social media post from Governor Kim Reynolds that appeared to be a warning. She said in a post on X that peaceful demonstrations are welcome but unlawful behavior will be stopped immediately.

Officials with the Omaha Police Department said Tuesday, immigration operations took place in the city after a raid was reported Tuesday morning. In a statement, officials said the Department of Homeland Security notified OPD of the operations and Omaha Police Officers were assisting with traffic control and public safety in the areas of the operation. ICE confirmed there was one raid by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and federal law enforcement in Omaha on Tuesday morning. The raid was at the Glenn Valley Foods plant. Company officials told KETV  authorities came to their facility and “served a warrant to search for persons believed to be using fraudulent documents to gain employment.” Glenn Valley Foods said they use E-Verify as part of their hiring process and are being cooperative with authorities.

Nebraska Congressman Don Bacon confirmed 75 to 80 people were detained, and it was roughly the same number of men and women. A spokesperson for ICE said “Reports of any other ICE operation and/or attempted operations in the Omaha area is simply disinformation being used to confuse the American public.”  The raids were protested by members of the Omaha and Lincoln, NE communities, Tuesday.

(Radio Iowa) – The northwest Iowa community of Rock Valley is moving ahead with housing projects almost one year after devastating flooding consumed the town. Governor Kim Reynolds attended a ribbon cutting Tuesday for one development where some flood victims are already moving in. Mayor Kevin Van Otterloo says the town is recovering, rebuilding and ready for what’s next. “We have come a long way, I want to acknowledge that many in our community are still hurting, still searching for answers and are still rebuilding their lives. Please know you have not been forgotten,” he says. Governor Reynolds toured a new home in Rock Valley, which will replace one of about 150 destroyed when the Rock River poured over a protective berm last June.

Governor Reynolds cuts the ribbon at a new Rock Valley housing development. (IPR photo)

Reynolds says the state provided almost seven million dollars that resulted in five different development projects, and more than 90 new housing units. “I’m proud to say that this city and the surrounding region aren’t just building back, they’re building back stronger, more resilient and more sustainable than ever,” Reynolds says. Reynolds says the Iowa Legislature also approved almost 14 million dollars to support disaster recovery and demolition from all natural disasters that hit the state last year.

Rock Valley requested buy outs from FEMA for 150 homes back in December and city leaders believe the federal government is in the final stages of reviewing their application for assistance.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa [KCCI] — A Pottawattamie County man faces several sexual exploitation charges. Michael Harris, of Council Bluffs, is accused of engaging in sexual conversations on social media and sending explicit photos and videos.

Court records show Harris thought he was talking to a 15-year-old girl. It turns out, that person was a detective, posing as a minor.

Harris is charged with sexual exploitation and telephone dissemination of obscene material to a minor.

(Des Moines, Iowa) –  Officials with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services said Tuesday, a second person in Iowa has now tested positive for measles. The announcement comes after the first case in Iowa since 2019 was reported last month.

The May case was a woman from central Iowa who was not vaccinated and had been traveling. This new case involves a man who was vaccinated. The department is working on confirming if he had recently been traveling.

The announcement comes as the highly contagious disease continues to spread across the country, with 34 states reporting cases. According to the CDC, over 1,100 cases have been reported in the country as of June 5, a majority of them occurring in Texas.

Measles is a highly contagious and potentially deadly disease. It spreads through the air when a person infected with the virus coughs or sneezes. Symptoms appear roughly 7-21 days after infection and include: cough, red and/or watery eyes, nasal congestion, fever, rash, and Koplik spots. If you believe you’ve been exposed to measles or may have measles HHS says to call your healthcare provider as soon as possible.

(Radio Iowa) – A federal judge has temporarily blocked the closure of Job Corps Centers around the country, including the residential training centers in Denison and Ottumwa. U-S Labor Department officials recently said the centers cost too much to operate, had a poor graduation rate and students were told to move out by this Thursday. Governor Kim Reynolds says state officials are examining options.

“I’ve got four agencies that are working with both of these areas to see if there’s some way that we can incorporate the students into some of our existing programs,” Reynolds says, “and we just have to see what that looks like.” The federal program has provided free education, vocational training and housing to young adults since 1964. Reynolds says the judge’s ruling gives officials a little bit of extra time to figure things out for the dozens of low-income 16 to 24 year olds who were counting on their Job Corps enrollment in Denison and Ottumwa.

“We’ll walk through what the impact of that looks like, what we need to do to make sure that we’re serving those individuals that are relying on that and move forward,” Reynolds said. “…We’ve been focused on any of the kids that were in the foster (care) system to make sure we have a home for them, to make sure if they were counting on that for housing that we have some place for them to go…It sounds like they can stay in the interim…We’re working through all of that.”

Republican legislators who represent Denison and Ottumwa in the Iowa House say the programs were very successful in helping Iowa kids graduate and land a job. Reynolds says there may be a better way to run lots of federal programs, including this one. “I’m not opposed to that at all. In fact we should do it more frequently than we are and it doesn’t mean that you throw it out or you discontinue the program, but it means that you look at it, you look what it’s doing, you look at the results — the outcomes, the metrics,” she said, “and then you look at the way we’re utilizing some of the technology, the way we’re utilizing (vocational rehabilitation) programs — all of that and just see if there’s maybe a better fit (and) that we could get the results that we’re looking for.”

The president and C-E-O of the National Job Corps Association says the students they serve are often overcoming significant personal and economic challenges and Job Corps gives them the ability to gain the skills they need to build meaningful careers. The U-S Secretary of Labor says the average salary for graduates this past year was under 17-thousand dollars and the centers were not achieving the intended outcomes that students deserve.

(USDA Press Release, Washington, D.C., June 10, 2025) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, joined by Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., today (Tuesday) signed three new food choice waivers to Make America Healthy Again. The signed waivers will amend the statutory definition of food for purchase for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP) in Arkansas, Idaho, and Utah, each commencing in 2026.

“The Trump Administration is unified in improving the health of our nation. America’s governors have proudly answered the call to innovate by improving nutrition programs, ensuring better choices while respecting the generosity of the American taxpayer. Each waiver submitted by the states and signed is yet another step closer to fulfilling President Trump’s promise to Make America Healthy Again,” said Secretary Rollins.

USDA photo 6-10-25 Ag Sec. Brooke Rollins

“Thank you to the governors of Indiana, Arkansas, Idaho, Utah, Iowa, and Nebraska for their bold leadership and unwavering commitment to Make America Healthy Again,” said Secretary Kennedy. “I call on every governor in the nation to submit a SNAP waiver to eliminate sugary drinks—taxpayer dollars should never bankroll products that fuel the chronic disease epidemic.”

Secretary Rollins and Secretary Kennedy were joined at the event by Governor of Arkansas Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Governor of Indiana Mike Braun.

“This approval sends a clear message: President Trump and his administration are tackling America’s chronic disease epidemic and Arkansas stands with him in that fight,” said Governor Sanders. “I am incredibly grateful for Secretary Rollins’ quick approval of our waiver. Arkansas leads the nation in getting unhealthy, ultra-processed foods off food stamps and helping our most vulnerable citizens lead healthier lives.”

“Indiana is proud to be a leader in the Make America Healthy Again initiative, and I’m proud to join Secretary Rollins, Secretary Kennedy, Congressman Baird, and my fellow Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today to discuss returning SNAP to its proper purpose of nutrition, and how my Make Indiana Healthy Again agenda supports Indiana agriculture and empowers Hoosiers to live longer, healthier lives,” said Governor Braun.

Prior to these waivers, SNAP recipients could buy anything except alcohol, tobacco, hot and prepared foods, and personal care products. This historic action expands the list of products excluded from SNAP purchases in Arkansas, Idaho, and Utah. Arkansas’ waiver excludes soda, low and no-calorie soda, fruit and vegetable drinks with less than 50% natural juice, other unhealthy drinks, and candy, and it will take effect July 1, 2026. The waiver for Idaho excludes soda and candy, and it will take effect January 1, 2026. The waiver for Utah excludes soft drinks, and it will take effect January 1, 2026. Secretary Rollins has previously signed waivers for Nebraska, Iowa, and Indiana.

“Idaho proudly welcomes the MAHA movement because it is all about looking for new ways to improve nutrition, increase exercise, and take better care of ourselves and one another, especially our children. We are excited to partner with the Trump administration in bringing common sense to the government’s food assistance program with the approval of our SNAP waiver,” said Governor Brad Little.

At the direction of President Trump, Secretary Rollins is ensuring programs work harder to encourage healthy eating and improved lifestyle habits while protecting taxpayer dollars. On Secretary Rollins’ first full day in office, she sent a letter to the nation’s governors (PDF, 88.8 KB), outlining her vision for the Department and inviting them to participate in a new “Laboratories of Innovation” initiative to create bold solutions to long-ignored challenges. Secretary Rollins and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wrote an opinion piece in USA Today outlining their plan to Make America Healthy Again, including through SNAP waivers like the ones signed today.

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating a fish kill at Dean Lake in southeast Des Moines.

The DNR Field Office began receiving reports during the week of June 6 of dead fish at the lake, located off East Market Street. Officials observed dark-colored water and a strong, septic odor at the site.

Dean Lake drains into a series of City of Des Moines stormwater basins located between East Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway and Maury Street, where fish are now showing signs of stress. Water from these basins eventually flows into the Des Moines River. While dead fish are expected to appear in the connected basins, the incident is not expected to affect aquatic life in the river.

The DNR urges the public to avoid these areas, including fishing and wading. The investigation remains ongoing.

(Onawa, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host a public meeting at 5:30 p.m., June 26, at the Onawa Community Center, 320 10th Street, to discuss Blue Lake low water levels. Extended drought conditions continue to impact water levels at Blue Lake, located within Lewis and Clark State Park. The lake level is about five feet below crest elevation, which will impact recreation on the lake this summer.

Iowa DNR staff will share the results of more than 15 years of water level studies, findings from the 2010 diagnostic and feasibility study for the restoration of Blue Lake, and current water level management strategies.

Blue Lake, like many other oxbow lakes, is characterized by a small watershed drainage area relative to the size of the lake and a localized water recharge area. Oxbow lakes form when a curve (or meander) in a river finds a shorter path, effectively isolating the old curve, forming an oxbow lake in a low-lying plain near the side of the river. Water levels in these lakes are highly influenced by nearby river and groundwater levels, especially during periods of flood or drought.

Sitting about 11 feet above the Missouri River, Blue Lake is especially sensitive to long periods of low water in the river, as groundwater near the lake seeps downhill towards the river. Water levels in the Missouri River have been especially low over the past five winters, contributing to lower than normal groundwater levels.

Any person with special requirements such as those related to mobility or hearing impairments who wishes to participate in the public meeting should promptly contact the DNR or ADA Coordinator at 515-725-8200, Relay Iowa TTY Service 800-735-7942, or Webmaster@dnr.iowa.gov to advise of specific needs.

(Lewis, Iowa) – Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Tuesday, said the DNR will relax the fishing regulations at Cold Springs Lake near Lewis, beginning June 15th. The intent is to allow anglers to more freely harvest fish before the lake is chemically renovated as part of a plan to improve the quality of angling for years to come.

Anglers with a valid fishing license may harvest any size or number of largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, crappie, channel catfish, and all other fish species from Cold Springs Lake. Any number of fishing poles or jug fishing will be allowed. Anglers must remain in sight of these lines at all times, and follow all other fishing regulations and area rules. Trot lines will be allowed (name and address must be attached), however lines may not be set across the entire water body. Nets, dynamite, poison, electric shocking devices, or any stupefying substances will not be allowed. It is illegal to sell fish or stock captured fish into public waters.

Cold Springs Lake (Photo from MyCountyParks.com

Relaxed fishing regulations for Cold Springs Lake will remain in effect until August 1. Anglers may fish anywhere within the lake. DNR fisheries staff will collect game fish from the lake in mid-summer and relocate them to other lakes in the area.

The DNR will lower the lake water level starting August 1 to prepare for the renovation project aimed to improve the poor size structure of largemouth bass and bluegill and increase near-shore habitat. Fish data collected each year for the past 10 years shows poor bass health with no bass over the legal length limit. Bluegill data shows low catch rates of quality fish.

The fishery renovation is only part of a process to improve the lake’s fish population.  Construction of in-lake fish habitat, primarily pea gravel spawning beds, will be built while water levels are down.

This project will continue through spring 2026. Starting August 1, lake users should expect limited access to the lake until water levels return to normal.