(An IOWA CAPITAL DISPATCH report) – Over the past five years, there have been at least 15 cases of Iowa nursing home workers being accused of taking photos or videos that violated residents’ right to privacy and dignity, an Iowa Capital Dispatch review of state records shows. The most recent case involves a northern Iowa nursing home that was cited for failing to report an employee’s allegations that a caregiver streamed video of a partially undressed resident to the social-media platform Snapchat. The Nora Springs Care Center, which is 10 miles east of Mason City, has been fined $500 for failing to report to the state inspections department an employee’s allegation of resident abuse. According to state inspectors, a certified nursing assistant was working the evening shift on Sept. 6, 2025, when she went to the care center’s shower room to obtain a wheelchair.

The CNA allegedly reported that after she knocked and opened the door to announce that she was entering the room, she saw another staffer in the room, kneeling down in front of a resident who had known cognitive issues. The CNA allegedly reported she could see that a cell phone was propped up against the wall and was recording on the Snapchat app, a social media program that streams video but typically limits the viewability of the content to a brief period before it becomes inaccessible. According to inspectors, the CNA alleged the worker who was kneeling in front of the resident appeared startled and quickly stood up. Upon fully entering the shower room, the CNA allegedly reported, she could see her own leg come into view on the video recording, and she could also see the resident’s leg on the phone screen. She allegedly stated that after she grabbed the wheelchair, she turned back to leave the room, and her colleague was standing in the doorway with no cell phone in sight.

At that point, the resident was sitting in a shower chair with a shirt and briefs on, but their pants were not fully on. The CNA left the shower room and immediately reported the incident to the nurse on duty. The resident was interviewed by the care facility’s staff three days later and allegedly stated he had no concerns regarding improper treatment and had not witnessed any improper cellphone use. According to inspectors, the facility conducted a “comprehensive investigation” that included interviews with the staffs and found “no evidence” to support the CNA’s allegations. According to the inspectors, the facility’s administrator allegedly confirmed Nora Springs Care Center had not notified the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing of the incident as required.

An Iowa Capital Dispatch review of state inspection records shows that since 2021, there have been at least 15 other instances of care facility workers taking photos or videos that resulted in the homes being cited for violating residents’ rights. In most of those cases, the photos or videos were shared with others via social media. Read more about those facilities HERE.

(Radio Iowa [w/additional info. from the Iowa Capital Dispatch]) – The U-S-D-A crop report is back after the government shutdown ended. The report shows 99 percent of Iowa’s corn crop is out of the fields making the harvest virtually complete. The southwest and south-central areas of Iowa lagged behind the rest of the state by a small percentage heading into last week. The bean harvest was at 99 percent complete in most of the state two weeks ago. The crop report says the weather has been mostly dry the last couple of weeks, allowing farmers to complete the harvest.

The national report shows the other top corn-producing states have on average just 4% left to harvest. The latest crop production report from USDA estimated corn yields were at 186 bushels per acre nationally, though the report does not include October yields due to the shutdown. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said farmers delivered a “significant crop” in 2025 despite “variable” weather conditions, disease and a challenging agricultural economy.  “Strong production requires strong markets, and we will continue working to build and diversify demand at home, across the country and around the world,” Naig said in a statement.

(Photo by Preston Keres/USDA)

According to the report, 67% of topsoil moisture and 66% of subsoil moisture across Iowa is adequate. South central Iowa has the driest soil conditions with about 60% of topsoil and subsoil short of moisture.  State Climatologist Justin Glisan said the statewide average precipitation for the Nov. 17 through Nov. 23 reporting period was 0.20 inch. That means precipitation was about half of the normal of 0.43 inch. Glisan said the statewide average temperature for the period at 43.8 degrees Fahrenheit was 6.1 degrees above the normal.

(DES MOINES, IA) — Fareway Stores, Inc. and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation announced Monday (Nov. 24th) the donation of a truckload of protein to Iowa’s six Feeding America food banks as part of their annual Meat the Need partnership. The donation, delivered Monday morning to the Food Bank of Iowa, includes 23 pallets totaling 25,000 pounds of protein —the equivalent of 100,000 servings for Iowans in need. Dos Rios taco meat (12,000 lbs.) was secured through a partnership with Two Rivers, while the ground pork portion (13,000 lbs.) was purchased from Webster City Custom Meats.

Jeff Cook, Vice President of Retail Market Operations with Fareway Stores, Inc., said “Fareway is honored to join forces with the Iowa Farm Bureau for the fourth year of Meat the Need. Together, we’re making a meaningful impact by providing protein to families who need it most. This donation reflects our ongoing commitment to serving the communities where
our employees and customers live.”

Brent Johnson, Iowa Farm Bureau President, Tami Nielsen, President & CEO, Food Bank of Iowa & Jeff Cook, Vice President of Retail Market Operations, Fareway Stores, Inc.

2025 marks the fourth consecutive year of the Meat the Need initiative, which ensures families across Iowa have access to essential protein during a critical time of year. Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson said “Iowa farmers take great pride in growing and raising the food that supports our communities. Food insecurity is a challenge that many families are currently facing, and Iowa Farm bureau is proud to partner with Fareway again to ‘Meat the Need’ and provide fresh, high-quality protein to those who need support.”

(Radio Iowa) – Four of the Republicans running for governor appeared at an Ida County G-O-P event last (Monday) night and three of them focused the crowd’s attention on the competitor in the race who wasn’t there. Zach Lahn, a businessman from Belle Plaine, mentioned Congressman Randy Feenstra as he was talking about the proposed carbon pipeline.

“The last time I heard him talk about this, he said, we ‘shouldn’t use eminent domain.’ I’m sorry, that’s not strong enough,” Lahn said. “You are disqualified from this from that answer alone.”

Feenstra held a meet and greet at a Pizza Ranch in Mason City last (Monday) night. Pastor Brad Sherman said he had hoped Feenstra would show up in Holstein and clarify his views on issues. Adam Steen, former director of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services, said people want answers, not absence. State Representative Eddie Andrews is the other candidate for governor who spoke in Holstein last (Monday) night.

The five candidates running for Feenstra’s seat in the U-S House were there, too. Each candidate for governor and for congress was given 10 minutes to speak and some used part of their time to answer questions from the crowd.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds will present former Governor Terry Branstad with the Iowa Award next month. It’s the state’s highest citizen honor. Reynolds says Branstad’s commitment to public service is unrivaled and no one is more deserving of the honor. Branstad was the nation’s youngest governor when he was first elected in 1982. In December of 2015, during his fifth term, Branstad became the nation’s longest serving governor.

Branstad chose Reynolds to be his running mate for his 2010 campaign and return to the governor’s office and she became governor when he resigned in mid-2017 to serve as U-S Ambassador to China. Former President Herbert Hoover was the first recipient of the Iowa Award, in 1951.

Former Governor Terry Branstad retired in early 2025 after a two year stint as president of the World Food Prize Foundation. (World Food Prize photo)

Branstad will be the 26th Iowan to receive it. Branstad says he’s honored and very pleased to be named on a list of very distinguished Iowans. Seven of the were named Iowa Award recipients by Branstad during his nearly 22-and-a-half years as governor.

Governor Reynolds will present the Iowa Award to Branstad during a ceremony in the Iowa Capitol on December 11th.

DES MOINES, Iowa – The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa reports two Marshalltown brothers were sentenced on October 3, 2025, to federal prison for conspiracy to distribute heroin. According to public court documents, Marcel Edmund Oden, 53, and his co-defendant brother, Jerry Juan Oden, 56, distributed more than 100 grams of heroin in the Marshalltown community for at least three years.

Marcel Oden had prior state convictions for assault-related conduct. At the time of the offense, Jerry Oden was on state parole for 2018 convictions for delivery of heroin and possession of marijuana with the intent to deliver, and 2014 convictions for possession of heroin with intent to deliver and prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

Marcel Oden was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison, followed by a five-year term of supervised release, and a $20,000 fine. Jerry Oden was sentenced to a 12‑year prison term, followed by a four-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. These cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jonathon Holscher and investigated by the Mid-Iowa Drug Task Force and Marshalltown Police Department.

ATLANTIC, IA — The Iowa Department of Education has recognized Atlantic High School’s welding program as a model for successful career and technical education in the state. The program enrolls between 40 and 50 students each semester and
prepares them for high-demand skilled trades through hands-on instruction, strong community partnerships, and direct pathways from the classroom to the workforce. Students begin by learning essential safety procedures and foundational techniques. They then advance to multiple welding methods, including stick, MIG, torch, and plasma cutting.

In collaboration with local employers such as Vermeer and Industrial Steam, the district has developed an apprenticeship model that mirrors real-world workforce needs. Students who complete the program graduate with the skills and experience necessary to enter a registered apprenticeship, with many earning their certification just months after leaving high school.

“Our welding program is a powerful example of what career and technical education can do for students,” said Eric Miller, welding instructor. “It allows students to discover their strengths, develop real-world skills, and step confidently into high-demand careers. We are proud of the partnerships that help make this possible and of the students who continue to inspire us with their success.”

Atlantic CSD’s approach aligns with the Iowa CTE framework, which emphasizes practical learning, employability skills, and clear routes into high-wage, high-skill occupations. For students seeking alternatives to traditional four-year college pathways, the program offers a meaningful, results-driven option. Program graduates continue to stay involved, returning to the welding classroom to mentor current students and even offering scholarships to those pursuing trade careers after graduation. These lasting connections help to build a strong cycle of learning, leadership, and local workforce development.

The full story is available at the Iowa Department of Education’s website, at:

https://educate.iowa.gov/headline-story/2025-11-14/atlantic-high-school-welding-program-provides-cte-golden-ticket-students

(Radio Iowa) – State officials have denied the Satanic Temple of Iowa’s request to hold a holiday party in the Iowa Capitol on December 13.

Adam Steen, a Republican candidate for governor, denied a similar request last year when he was director of the Iowa Department of Administrative Service. “No more marketing to children,” Steen said today. “No more trying to get them to create satanic symbols, sing satanic hymns, partake in satanic rituals, no more having youth involved in costume contests that depict weapons used to abuse youth. This is not religious expression. It’s not free speech. It is evil.”

Steen held a rally at the Capitol early this afternoon that was originally billed as a gathering to challenge Governor Reynolds to issue the denial. “What could have been a call for those in Iowa to stand up and fight back has turned into a celebration,” Steen said, to cheers.

Adam Steen, a Republican candidate for governor, speaks at statehouse rally on Nov. 24, 2025. (RI photo)

The Satanic Temple of Iowa is suing Steen for rejecting their party plan at the Capitol when he was director of the Department of Administrative Services. The group has said their 2024 celebration would have promoted tolerance and acceptance of diverse religious beliefs. A year before, in 2023, the group’s display in the Iowa Capitol’s rotunda was vandalized by a Mississippi man who later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to probation. Steen, as a state agency chief, had approved some holiday displays in the Capitol that year, including the Satanic Temple’s array of candles and a pagan idol.

“I did that because it was not a matter of whether or not it was harmful to minors,” Steen said today. “It was a static statue and I did not want to fight a free speech issue at that time.”

Steen has called on two other candidates for governor to join him in denouncing what the Satanic Temple had planned to do in the Capitol next month. A spokesperson for Democrat Rob Sand’s campaign was not immediately available to respond. Republican Randy Feenstra issued a written statement. “As a Christian, I’m grateful to Governor Reynolds for keeping the despicable satanic display out of the Iowa Capitol,” Feenstra said.

(Radio Iowa) – Des Moines police say a local woman faces multiple charges after she allegedly fired shots at a car containing her fiancé and an eight-year-old child. Investigators say a Des Moines man claims his fiancée used a handgun and shot at his car during a domestic dispute on Sunday night. He said he was in the front seat and his daughter was in the back seat. Officers say there was a bullet hole in the rear passenger door. No one was hurt.

Police arrested 28-year-old Lakeisha Powell after recovering what they believe was the handgun used, a shell casing and other evidence. Powell is jailed on charges including: child endangerment, domestic abuse assault with a weapon, and two counts of intimidation with a dangerous weapon.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – A Red Oak man was sentenced on November 21, 2025, to 27 years in federal prison for sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child pornography.

According to public court documents, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received CyberTips that an account, later determined to be associated with Tracy Brian Schooling, 51, uploaded files containing child sexual abuse material. Law enforcement seized electronic devices during a search of Schooling’s Red Oak residence. A forensic examination of the seized electronic devices showed that Schooling used the devices to possess images and videos and produce images containing child sexual abuse material. In total, Schooling possessed more than 300 videos and 300 images containing child sexual abuse material.

After completing his term of imprisonment, Schooling will be required to serve a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Schooling was also ordered to pay $27,000 in restitution.

United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Iowa Department of Public Safety-Division of Criminal Investigation-Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Federal Bureau of Investigation-Child Exploitation Task Force, with assistance from the Red Oak Police Department.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.