(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa House has overwhelmingly voted to extend a moratorium on new casinos in Iowa until 2029. The current moratorium will expire July 1st. Representative Bobby Kaufmann, a Republican from Wilton, says this is a policy decision for lawmakers, not state gambling regulators.

Kaufmann says the commission has vague rules for considering casino license applications and the bill strengthens those guidelines. Representative Sami Scheetz, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, says the proposed rules would effectively block Cedar Rapids from getting a casino license.

Shortly before 1 a.m. Saturday the House approved the extended casino moratorium and new regulations for casino applications on a 71 to 21 vote. The Senate must approve the policy, too, before it could go to the governor for review.

**UPDATE: Suspect was arrested Saturday, in Des Moines**

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Public Safety says the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s help in locating a suspect connected to a double homicide in rural Marshalltown.

On Friday, April 19, 2024, at approximately 1:45 am, Marshall County Deputies were dispatched to 2645 182nd Street, Marshalltown Iowa for a welfare check on occupants of the residence. When deputies arrived, they located a male and female deceased. They are identified as Mario Murillo, age 28, Marshalltown, and Frances Tillie Gasca, age 33, Marshalltown.

As a result of the investigation by Marshall County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Ilias Julian Lasley, age 29, has been charged with two counts of Murder in the 1st Degree for the death of Mr. Murillo and Ms. Gasca. Mr. Lasley is considered armed and dangerous. If you see him or know his location do not approach him, call law enforcement. We are seeking public assistance in locating him.

Ilias Julian Lasley,

If anyone has any information concerning Ilias Lasley’s whereabouts, please contact the Marshall County Communications Center, 641.754.5725, Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, 641.754.6380, or tips can be submitted online at www.marshallcountysheriff.com

(A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.)

April 19, 2024 (Des Moines) – Main Street Iowa hosted the annual Main Street Iowa Development Awards celebration Friday evening in Des Moines. The program honors the efforts of local leaders who work tirelessly to revitalize Iowa’s downtowns and Main Street districts.

Fourteen projects were recognized with Main Street Iowa Development Awards and 47 leadership award recipients were honored for exceptional leadership and volunteer contributions to their local Main Street programs. Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) Director Debi Durham said “The Main Street Iowa program stands as one of the nation’s most distinguished, as witnessed from the award-winning projects in rehabilitation, business recruitment and support, façade improvement, housing, placemaking and special events. It’s evident that Main Street Iowa communities thrive under passionate leadership, achieving remarkable success.”

Main Street Ottumwa received the 2024 Spirit of Main Street Award, a prestigious honor awarded annually to an individual or community that truly demonstrates the spirit of Main Street at work in Iowa.  The recognition honors their groundbreaking partnership with Main Street America, Main Street Iowa and Google through the Grow with Google initiative, which teaches local business owners and entrepreneurs the skills that are essential to reaching customers in today’s digital economy. The partnership impacted more than 1,000 businesses.

2024 Main Street Iowa Development Award Winners:

• Building Rehabilitation (Over 5,000 Population): Hopkins Willard Project, Marshalltown
• Building Rehabilitation (Under 5,000 Population): The Serving Café, West Branch
• Business Recruitment (Over 5,000 Population): Something Blue, Nevada
• Business Recruitment (Under 5,000 Population): Tour of Dreams, Grundy Center
• Business Support (Over 5,000 Population): Main Street Micros Grant Program, Spencer
• Business Support (Under 5,000 Population): Influencer Marketing Collaboration, West Branch
• Façade Improvement (Over $50,000): Art on the Fly & Imagination Alley, Jefferson
• Façade Improvement (Under $50,000): Cox Law Firm, Centerville
• Housing: The Pub Lofts, Jefferson
• Placemaking (Small Scale Activity): Mayfly Mayhem Murals, Burlington
• Placemaking (Comprehensive Effort): Bridges to Renewal Projects, Lansing
• Special Event (Under 5,000 Population): First Fridays, Albia
• Special Event (Under 5,000 Population): Saving a Slice of History Building Tours, Woodbine
• Special Event (Over 5,000 Population): District Street Party, Cedar Falls

Six communities were recognized for reaching new milestones in the amount of private investment in their commercial districts:

$100 Million – Cedar Rapids – Czech Village and New Bohemia
$3 Million – Monticello
$2 Million – Nevada
$1 Million – Albia, Coon Rapids and Jewell

Main Street Iowa was established in 1985 and operates as a part of the IEDA’s Downtown Resource Center. Since its inception, the Main Street Iowa program has had a significant impact on Iowa’s economy, including more than $2.7 billion in private investments, more than 3.8 million volunteer hours, more than 5,500 new businesses created and more than 16,600 jobs.

A detailed list of all 2024 Main Street Iowa Award winners is available here.