HIAWATHA, Iowa (KCRG) – UPDATED Jan. 2nd – A carjacking suspect is in custody and hospitalized with critical injuries after exchanging gunfire with law enforcement Wednesday morning following a high-speed chase on I-380. KCRG reports that at approximately 8:30 a.m., officers were dispatched to a robbery in progress at the Marine Recruitment Office on Brandilynn Boulevard, where they learned a vehicle was stolen.

A Linn County Deputy located the suspect’s vehicle at 9:30 a.m. southbound on I-380 near Center Point. The adult male driver – later identified as 32-year-old Samuel Reese III, of Center Point, Alabama – took off southbound at high speed and officers chased him from Cedar Falls on I-380. Reese exited onto County Home Road and lost control, hitting a road sign. He then allegedly opened fire at officers out the driver’s side window. The chase continued southbound on I-380 until the vehicle came to a stop in the median ditch in Hiawatha near the Tower Terrace exit.

Linn County Sheriff Brian Gardner told KCRG Reese fired several rounds at officers. As officers returned fire, Reese was shot by an officer and was taken into custody. He was taken to a local hospital and later transferred to University of Iowa Health Care for critical injuries. The sheriff said Reese used a rifle to shoot at officers and may have had more guns. No officers were reported injured and the officers directly involved have been placed on critical incident leave, which is standard procedure in this type of incident, which remains under investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies.

DES MOINES, Iowa (IOWA CAPITAL DISPATCH) – James Bruton grew up in rural Texas where the night skies were full of constellations. As he moved to larger cities, before ultimately settling in Des Moines, evening star gazing faded away for Bruton and could only be found with intentional trips away from the light-polluted metropolitans. Bruton hopes rural Iowa can keep that sense of wilderness, lower its electricity costs, help out local wildlife and even benefit from the growing astrotourism market, by enacting “dark sky” ordinances that limit light pollution.

While the effort in Iowa is just getting off the ground, across the globe, nearly 200,000 square kilometers, or more than 77,000 square miles, are recognized as dark sky places by the international, volunteer organization, Dark Sky International. The open spaces of the west and national parks are the spots most people think of for prime stargazing, but Bruton said Iowa can develop its own dark sky areas and give people that same sense of wonder, but without a 10-hour drive.

Bruton told the Iowa Capital Dispatch, “Most of our days are spent looking at screens … being able to step away from that and truly just take in something as magnificent as a clear, dark night sky and everything that it beholds, it just creates (a) perspective that we don’t get when we live in so much light pollution. “It’s not about turning off the lights, It’s just about using light wisely so that communities can thrive.”

A night sky outside of Johnston, Iowa on Oct. 10, 2024. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

A 2023 published study, analyzing citizen science observations, found that on average the night sky got brighter by 9.6% annually, from 2011 to 2022. According to the National Park Service the light pollution increase “exceed(s) the population growth rate” and has been caused by more light emitted per capita and more “uplight” or light that is directed or reflected upwards, emitted from fixtures. Dark Sky International recommends communities be more intentional with their outdoor lighting, in terms of brightness, direction, purpose and warmth.

The organization has five principles for “responsible” lighting, which Bruton said would inform dark sky ordinances in a community. Dark Sky calls for lights that have a “clear purpose” and are only used when needed. It says light should also be “targeted” so that it doesn’t spill beyond where it is needed. Targeted lights could be something like street or parking lot lights that have a cover over the top to direct light down on the street and not up into the sky. The third principle is that lights should be “no brighter than necessary” with the idea that when something is excessively lit, it causes glare on surrounding surfaces and can be less effective than a dimmer light.

An ordinance could specify, for example, that outdoor light fixtures not exceed 25% of guidelines set by the Illuminating Engineering Society, a technical and educational authority on lighting. The fourth principle asks for controlled lights, those on a motion censor, timer or dimmer so that light is only used when it’s needed. Those principles help to reduce energy costs by eliminating unnecessary lights. The final principle calls for warm colored lights – below 3000 Kelvin – because they are less disruptive to wildlife and don’t travel as far into the sky, according to Dark Sky International.

A city could add an ordinance with guidelines on where cool colored lights are allowed, like in a public safety setting or a sports arena, to adhere to this principle. He said dark sky ordinances shouldn’t be prohibitive to new businesses or economic development and can actually make a community appear “more forward thinking.”

Astrotourism, or the cross of astronomy and tourism, relies on dark sky places. Bruton said this could make a small rural town a destination during an astrological event like an aurora borealis, meteor shower or eclipse. Beyond a potential camera and telescope-wielding tourist market, Bruton said a dark sky can help to protect the “rural heritage” of a community and sense of community pride. Learn more about Bruton’s initiative at the Dark Sky Iowa page on Facebook.

(Iowa DNR Conservation News; Des Moines, IA) – Iowa’s trumpeter swans attempted a modern-day record 158 nests in 2025, which is an increase of 17 percent over 2022. The nesting data is from the most recent statewide observation survey completed in December. In a news release, Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) state waterfowl biologist Orrin Jones, says  “It’s a neat story about the restoration. We spent a lot of time and effort to get the population established and its really taking off right now.”

Recovery has taken time, but is a true modern-day conservation success story, he said. The restoration effort was supported by the Iowa DNR’s Fish and Wildlife Trust Fund; a constitutionally protected fund where hunting, fishing and trapping license fees are deposited and used, in part, to protect, restore, or manage fish and wildlife. The largest waterfowl in North America, trumpeter swans have come a long way since the 1930s, when conservation efforts began in order to protect small populations in Montana and Alaska.

A trumpeter swan with two cygnats on a Chickasaw County wetland. Photo courtesy of the Iowa DNR.

Native to Iowa, trumpeter swans were once as widely distributed as Canada geese, but had been extirpated by the early 1880s. Early and aggressive reintroduction efforts in the Midwest by Minnesota and Wisconsin, followed a few years later by Michigan, and then Iowa, sought to return these iconic waterfowl to their traditional place on the prairie wetlands.

Iowa began with a restoration plan in 1993, followed by the first release of four swans in 1994. The plan included monitoring the swans to evaluate reintroduction success. The DNR released a total of 1,218 swans, ending in 2022. Iowa’s first trumpeter swan nest in the modern era was in 1998, in Dubuque County, followed two years later by one in Winnebago County. Nesting attempts increased slowly following the growing number of released swans. After averaging in the mid-50s for nearly a decade, nest attempts jumped to more than 120 in 2020, followed by nearly 140 in 2022.

“Reintroduction has been successful and we continue to monitor the population as time goes on,” said Taylor Ballard, wildlife research technician with the Iowa DNR’s Clear Lake office. “We ask our staff to record any observations of swans – active nests, swans with a brood – let us know if they see a successful nest and the number of cygnets that nest has, which gives us our number of cygnets of per successful nest.”

Ballard said the active nests average 4.4 cygnets, or young swans, which is helping grow the local population. Of the 158 active nests, Ballard said 98 were known to be successful in hatching. Population surveys begin in mid- to late-April, with peak surveys from May to September. Iowa DNR staff, along with staff from local county conservation boards, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and private citizens check areas with preferred habitat or where nests have previously occurred.

The data is passed along to the Mississippi Flyway Council, who coordinates management with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “The birds are doing best on the large semi-permanent wetlands in the prairie pothole region and their trend is continuing to expand in abundance, like we thought it would,” said Jones. “It takes time for swans to reach maturity but once they begin nesting they are productive and we have vacant habitat available for them.”

The Iowa DNR has captured and collared cygnets as part of a survival study. Swans live as a family unit with parents providing protection and teaching the young skills needed to survive. More than 70 percent of cygnets that fledge in September will survive to March. “Trumpeter swans are emblematic of healthy wetland systems, clean water – and are a way to tie a species to the habitat,” Jones said. “It’s a neat story about the swan restoration – and we’re seeing a similar response with the sandhill cranes – they’re expanding, too – and likely will increase until population reaches the carrying capacity of the habitat.”

Iowa swans, along with swans from Minnesota and Wisconsin, are part of the interior population of trumpeter swans. Some of these birds follow traditional winter migration to Missouri and Arkansas, while others will remain in Iowa, to be joined by swans from up north. The 2025 midwinter waterfowl survey recorded more than 4,700 swans in Iowa.

While the population has been increasing, threats do remain. Collisions with powerlines is a major problem, as is ingesting lead. In the last few years, avian influenza has claimed some swans, as well.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham, says improving Iowa’s tax and regulatory climate has been the “North Star” during her tenure as the state’s top economic development official.

Durham, who served as IEDA’s Director since 2011, says she’s focused on selling Iowa as home base to businesses and well as young professionals in their 20s, 30s and 40s.

Durham says in the past year 33-hundred people interested in moving have responded and those leads are being passed on to officials in Iowa cities and communities that match their interests. Durham says it’s part of talent recruitment efforts to address workforce concerns. In early 2020, more than 70 percent of Iowans above the age of 15 who were able to work were working. But nearly six years after the pandemic started, Durham says Iowa’s labor participation rate hasn’t fully recovered.

Durham’s agency will launch new talent recruitment efforts next year focused on sectors like health care that need more workers.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa dairy farmers have been able to pull out a small profit on their milk thanks to issues in other sectors of agriculture. Iowa State University Extension dairy expert Fred Hall says the drop in grain prices has been a positive for the industry.

A drop in cattle numbers has sent beef prices up, which Hall says has also helped bolster dairy producers. Dairy cows are usually bred to calve once a year, and Hall says selling some calves has brought dairies more income.

Halls says dairies can target the beef market for some of the yearly calves.

Hall says the numbers make it a good proposition for the dairy producers.

Hall says it is an unusual situation where the dairies are able to take advantage of some issues with other segments of agriculture to help make a small profit.

(Radio Iowa) – The University of Northern Iowa is planning to renovate Redeker Center dining center, the largest student dining center on campus. U-N-I”s Michael Hager says part of the renovation includes updating the individual venues where different types of food are served.

He says it will ensure they get food that won’t cause them problems.

Hager says one organization has recognized U-N-I as the best in the state for its food service.

Hager says the Redeker Center has not been upgraded in the last 20 years. The Regents gave approval for the school to develop design and construction plans for what is expected to be a three-point-four million dollar project.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa chapter of the American Red Cross will be starting 2026 much as it always does, with a critical need for blood donors as blood supplies are dangerously low. Agency spokesman Josh Murray says he’s hoping the blood shortage in the new year makes people stop and think about what they can do to help year-round.

This year, the Red Cross held more than 12-hundred blood drives across Iowa and collected more than 30-thousand units of blood. Murray suggests if you’re pondering making a New Year’s resolution, consider resolving to give blood.

You can safely donate blood every 56 days and the process typically takes less than an hour, while the actual collection just lasts about ten minutes.

The blood is used for people facing life-threatening conditions like cancer, sickle cell disease, childbirth complications and traumatic injuries. He says patients rely on a consistent blood supply to survive and heal, and it’s the blood already on the shelves that helps save lives in an emergency.

(Red Oak, IA) – The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors are set to hold their 2026 Organizational and Regular meetings** back-to-back this Friday morning (Jan. 2nd), in their Red Oak courthouse meeting room. First-up, at 9-a.m., is the Organizational Meeting, which includes (among other things) the following:

• Appoint Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Board for calendar year 2026
• Set Board’s meeting schedule for 2026
• Set Montgomery County Employee’s Holiday Schedule for 2026
• Set the Mileage rate for 2026 (IRS guideline)
• and, appointments of Supervisors to serve on 16 committees.

During the Regular weekly meeting that begins at approximately 9:15-a.m., Friday (or, following adjournment of the prior session), the Montgomery County Supervisors will act on New Business matters, including:

1. 1. 2026-01 Payment of Fixed Charges
   2. Approve Resolution 2026-02 Naming Depositories
   3. Approve Resolution 2026-03 Construction Evaluation
   4. Discuss FY24 Audit
   5. Discuss 175 years anniversary
   6. Set dates for budget work sessions
   7. Consideration for allowance of homestead exemption for grandfathered parcel for 2024 and 2025 parcel 641227136009000.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday January 13, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.

***Please note, this is a public meeting; however, it may be conducted via ZOOM. Join Zoom Meeting at 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85039693411

Meeting ID: 850 3969 3411

Or, dial by your location +1 312 626 6799 If you are calling in, Press *9 to raise your hand if you wish to speak.31

(Creston, IA) – A Union County man was arrested Tuesday afternoon, on a Class-D Felony charge of  Domestic Abuse Assault by impeding the flow of air/and-or blood, causing bodily injury, as well as for Possession of a Controlled Substance/2nd Offense (an Aggravated Misdemeanor). The Creston Police Department reports 29-year-old Ryan Jason Parmenter, of Creston, was taken into custody at around 12:20-p.m. and transported to the Union County Jail. He was being held without bond until seen by a Judge.