DES MOINES, Iowa [KCCI} – A federal appeals court on Friday affirmed an injunction against the enforcement of a controversial Iowa immigration law. Senate File 2340, signed into law last April by Gov. Kim Reynolds, made it a state crime for a person to be in Iowa if previously denied admission to or removed from the United States. The crime would have been an aggravated misdemeanor with the potential to be a felony based on certain factors, including prior convictions.

The law drew criticism from Latino communities and logistical concerns from law enforcement, such as then-Des Moines Police Chief Dana Wingert, who said the department would not “even have the ability to perform this function.” The United States Department of Justice filed a lawsuit to block the law from going into effect ahead of its July 1, 2024 start date. A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction in June, saying the legislation was not defensible “as a matter of constitutional law.”

Friday, an appeals court agreed with that injunction, saying the policy would likely conflict with federal law. “The district court did not abuse its discretion in granting the preliminary injunction,” Judge Duane Benton wrote in his decision.

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird issued a statement [to KCCI] after the decision was announced. The statement said “Iowa stood strong against the Biden-Harris border invasion that made every state a border state. And despite today’s court ruling, the battle is far from over. As President Trump works nationally to fix the mess Biden and Harris created on the southern border, we will continue fighting in Iowa to defend our laws and keep families safe.”

AMES, Iowa — A suspect has been arrested for robbery in connection to an investigation into a deadly shooting. According to Ames Police, 19-year-old Destiny Skurdal, of Ames, was arrested and charged with first-degree robbery, a Class B felony.

The arrest stems from an investigation into the shooting death of 25-year-old Parker Stoneburner, of Boone, who was found dead Jan. 18th at an apartment on South Fifth Street, in Ames. Authorities were called to the apartment at about 6:30 p.m. that day and found Stoneburner suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to a nearby hospital and later died from his injuries.

The investigation remains ongoing, according to police.

[UPDATED 9:35-A.M. 1/27] – One person died in an eastern Iowa crash Friday night. In an update to our previous report, the Iowa State Patrol says a woman from Wisconsin was died in a collision southwest of the Dubuque Airport a little after 9-p.m., Friday. The crash occurred on Highway 151 in Dubuque County. The Patrol says 25-year-old Mariadivina Victoria Graziano, of Milwaukee, was driving a 2016 Nissan Juke westbound on Skyline Drive when she failed to stop at the intersection with Highway 151. A semi traveling north on Highway 151 struck the driver’s side of Graziano’s vehicle. The woman died from her injuries at the scene.

And, one person was injured when an SUV struck a person crossing a highway in eastern Iowa’s Marion County, at around 6:30-p.m., Friday. The State Patrol says a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee was traveling west on Iowa Highway 92 near mile marker 166, when the vehicle lost a wheel. A second vehicle was also westbound on the highway. A passenger in the Jeep ran across the highway in an attempt to retrieve the lost tire, when he was struck by the second vehicle. The person who was struck was not immediately identified. They were transported by Knoxville Rescue to the Knoxville Hospital.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City of Atlantic is reminding residents of, and visitors to the community, to fill out a survey to help them in developing their new comprehensive plan. The plan deals heavily with land use, according to the City, and will help to set development goals for the City. During this past Wednesday’s (Jan. 22nd) City Council meeting in Atlantic, Councilperson Elaine Otte reported an upcoming town hall meeting will be held February 12th, with regard to the City’s Comprehensive Plan

Otte said the City is still looking for responses to the survey that covers multiple aspects of living in Atlantic, from recreation to business and industry, housing and infrastructure, and much more.

Paper copies of the surveys are available for you to fill-out at multiple locations in town. Atlantic Mayor Grace Garrett…

To take the survey scan the QR Code in this story or use the following link: https://tinyurl.com/Atlantic2050.

The survey is anonymous, with only generic questions posed about your background, such as income range, the number of people in your household, and ethnicity…all of which are optional responses.

(Radio Iowa) – The December unemployment rate moved up one tenth of a percent to three-point-two percent. Iowa Workforce Development director Beth Townsend says that comes as more people were looking for jobs.

Townsend says some of the job gains were offset by loses.

She says overall the positive news outweighed the negative.

Townsend says there’s always a stop in February and the next unemployment numbers won’t come out until March.

The U-S unemployment rate decreased to four-point-one (4.1) percent in December.

(Radio Iowa) – Legislators are considering restrictions on the release of booking photos taken when someone is taken into custody and charged with a crime. Bills in both the House and Senate would make most booking photos confidential records that could only be released if the person in the photo is a fugitive, an imminent threat to the public or has been convicted of certain felonies. Representative Bill Gustoff says occasionally someone gets arrested, charged and booked into jail — then the charges are dismissed.

Gustoff says under America’s criminal justice system someone is to be considered innocent until proven guilty — but having a booking photo published in the media or posted on the internet sends a different message.

Gustoff, a Republican from a Des Moines suburb called Saylor Township, is an attorney, but he does not handle criminal cases. However, he has had relatives and friends who’ve been wrongly accused. The bill was discussed last year, but did not become law.

Law enforcement officials say Gustoff’s bill would create extra work for police and sheriff’s departments who’d have to verify if a person was convicted or pleaded guilty every time they get a public records request for a mug shot. Media organizations say having booking photos publicly available provides transparency in law enforcement and, in some instances, can help someone with the same name as a person under arrest prove they are not charged with a crime.

(Radio Iowa) – Many Iowa school districts are stepping up efforts to improve attendance, as chronic absenteeism surged during the pandemic and it’s been difficult to bring down. Des Moines Public Schools has increased outreach to families through letters, phone calls and in-person visits to homes. Superintendent Ian Roberts says the district learned some students are missing school to care for family members, or to work so they can add to their family’s income.

Some Iowa school leaders want changes to a law passed last year aimed at reducing chronic absenteeism. Once a student misses 10-percent of the days in a semester, the law requires districts to notify their family and the county attorney. Initially, both excused and unexcused absences counted toward the tally. Districts now have more discretion on when notifications are sent. Roberts agrees chronic absenteeism needs attention, but the law has a significant cost.

Des Moines is seeing success in reducing chronic absenteeism. Fifty-one schools saw a decrease from last school year to the beginning of this one, but in some Des Moines high schools chronic absenteeism is still over 50 percent. Roberts was a recent guest on the Iowa Public Radio program Talk of Iowa.

(Radio Iowa) – Organizers of a concert by country music star Tim McGraw at the Field of Dreams Movie Site in Dyersville are happy with the ticket sales that started Monday. John Sutter is Vice President of Field of Dreams Operations, and says there has been a lot of interest. “Both from the community and across the country, with national media picking this up, everyone’s very excited about this, and it being a perfect fit with Tim McGraw and his father’s connection to baseball is just really exciting,” he says. Sutter says they want to make the August 30th event more than just one concert.

“The plan is to make it a whole day event with adding additional acts to support the Tim McGraw performance, which will be the headline act, but to really take advantage of what’s looking to be like a really exciting day at the Field of Dreams,” he says. Sutter says these types of events can bring in more people who may not be familiar with the site. “We just hope this is an opportunity that people will take. Maybe they haven’t been to the Field of Dreams in a while, or, you know, maybe baseball isn’t their thing, but they are interested in country music,” Sutter says. “We’re just hoping this brings a whole new audience to enjoy and share the Field of Dreams in the Dyersville area.”

You can find more information about tickets for the Tim McGraw concert at The Field of Dreams Movie Site online at USCA.live.

ATLANTIC, IA (January 24, 2025) – Sweetheart Market will be held at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA (1100 Maple St. Atlantic, IA 50022) on Saturday, February 8 from 10 AM to 1 PM. The Pancake Man will be serving all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, and drinks for $8 per adult and $5 per child (under 18), and the farmers market will have 30 vendors set up inside the YMCA. There is no cost to enter Sweetheart Market, and the YMCA will have a free bounce house set up for children attending the farmers market. The event’s theme is, “Bee Mine, Honey,” and the market will feature local honey vendors, as well as bee and honey information and activities from organizations including the Southwest Iowa Beekeepers and Cass County Extension. Sarah Selders will be selling bee and honey-themed face painting.

30 food and craft vendors will be at Sweetheart Market selling local food and handmade crafts. Food vendors will be offering honey, chicken, beef, lamb, local produce, sourdough bread, and lots of baked goods and desserts. Craft vendors will be selling goat milk soaps, candles, crocheted clothing and stuffed animals, seasonal home decorations, and much more.

Valentine couch pillows will be sold at Sweetheart Market

Sweetheart Market Vendor Lineup:

● Brenda’s Cookies & More/ Insights of Iowa – Cookies, sweet bread, bars, hot pads, towels, quilts, pillows
● Bridgewater Farm – Produce including greens, sweet potatoes
● Brun Ko Farm – Honey, chicken, lamb, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, garlic, spinach
● Dragonfly Creations – Candles, soaps, crafts, artwork
● Daily Bread – Sourdough loaves, cookie decorating kits, cookie painting kits, and baked goods, as well as Valentine play dough kits
● Denton Farms Soapery – Handmade soap, lotion, sugar scrubs, body butter, lip butter, wax melts
● Face Painting by Sarah – Honey and bee-themed face painting
● Frosting Inc. – Gourmet cupcakes and other baked goods
● Heaven’s Hands Crochet – Crocheted hats, scarves, fingerless gloves, sweaters, wraps, toys, home decor, and household items
● Imagine Garden Gift Store – Houseplants, fairy gardens, gifts, and garden decor
● Juj’n Juj’n and Mike Souder Original Art – Leatherwork and art
● The Kringleman – Danish Kringle, pastries, eclairs, krispies, letters, cream horns
● KookieNow with Mrs. Phippen – Kookies and homemade potpourri kitchen mix
● Mandy’s Sweet Tooth Confections – Fudge, decorated cookies and brownies, savory snacks for Super Bowl, and more
● Noble Provisions – Meat including honey bbq brats, honey bbq and honey sriracha beef sticks
● Oak Hill Honey – Honey
● Paige’s Pieces – Keychains, earrings, car hangers, signs, and more
● Pat’s Bats, Birds, and Squirrels – Bird houses and feeders, squirrel feeders, bat houses
● ReMakes Home Decor – Wood items, home decor, seasonal items
● Resin for Reason – Resin art, keychains, magnets, jewelry, trays
● Robin’s Unique Boutique – Upcycled denim jackets, tops, stocking caps and mittens, and more
● Shelbi Crochets – Crochet items for all ages, beaded products, cards, and more
● Studio Samantha Ignite Wonder Club – Prints, framed art, illustrated laptop/iPad cases, printed baby/toddler unisex clothing, greeting cards, illustrated drinking glasses, and sticker sheets
● Sweet Vale Creations – Soy candles, wax melts, car diffusers, and more
● Ter-Bear Honey – Honey
● A Witch Crafts – Artwork, crafts
● Wings of Love Sweetly Crafted – Baked goods and various crafts including cups, pens, and keychains
● Woodland Wildflower Apiary – Honey and beeswax products
● You’re So Cute Angels – Suncatchers angels, handmade soaps, crafts
● Your Forte – Specialty food and drink candles

All Produce in the Park farmers markets accept SNAP EBT, otherwise known as food stamps, for all qualifying food items. Proceeds from the pancake meal will be donated to Cass County food pantries.
The open hours for Sweetheart Market has been shifted earlier in the day due to the inclusion of the pancake breakfast. Previous flyers and coupons distributed by the Cass County Food Policy Council stated a later time.

Local organizations, including Cass County Tourism and Healthy Cass County, will be at the market sharing information about community events and opportunities. Sweetheart Market 2025 is sponsored by the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, Cass County Tourism, Cass Health, City of Atlantic, First Whitney Bank & Trust and Nishna Valley Family YMCA.