Iowa

Authorities are searching for three people—Drake Milam, Portia Bancroft, and Angela Garrett—who are suspected of stealing valuables and family heirlooms from niches in cemeteries across multiple states. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office reported that the individuals have been seen committing thefts in at least eight states, including Florida, Georgia, Iowa, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Texas, and New York. Investigators believe there may be many victimized individuals who are currently unaware of the thefts.

Pete Hegseth, Defense Secretary, appeared with Zach Nunn at the Iowa State Fair on Monday. During this visit, Hegseth campaigned for Representative Zach Nunn.

A review found that both Iowa and Virginia established fourth grade reading standards performing below basic on the National Assessment of Educational Progress. While this discrepancy sparked public action in Virginia, Governor Kim Reynolds has remained silent on the matter in Iowa, where data shows a significant gap between high state proficiency rates and low NAEP scores for students.

In Iowa, a key battleground state for the midterm elections, political candidates generally agree that addressing rising rates of cancer must be done. The midwestern state has the second-highest rate of cancer nationwide and is one of only three states experiencing increased incidences of the disease.

Democrats’ process for picking a 2028 presidential nominee will likely kick off in states where candidates need to appeal to key supporters such as Black and Latino voters and union members. The calendar sets South Carolina's primary for Jan. 22, followed by Nevada on Feb. 1, with early states also including New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan, and Virginia.

Zach Lahn, an outsider candidate running for governor in Iowa, faces questioning regarding his approach to agriculture and state politics. While he criticizes both parties of being bought by corporate interests, his bid aims to test how a conservative anti-establishment figure fares with voters and traditional Republicans. Some of Lahn’s positions challenge the status quo, including promoting regenerative farming and questioning agrochemicals.

Zach Lahn, a Republican nominee for Iowa governor, says he plans to bring a different message to Iowans. He confronts both curiosity and concerns in his outsider bid for governor.

Political newcomer Zach Lahn faced skepticism from voters like farmer Tim Burrack regarding his anti-establishment approach to agriculture during his bid for Iowa governor. Lahn criticizes politicians in both parties, promoting regenerative farming and addressing concerns about high costs and struggling economies. His campaign will test how an outsider conservative fares with the general electorate and traditional Republicans.

Zach Lahn, a conservative candidate for governor, faces skepticism from voters like farmer Tim Burrack regarding his approach to agriculture in Iowa. He campaigns as an anti-establishment figure who criticizes politicians of both parties. His message emphasizes regenerative farming practices, questioning the safety of agrochemicals and linking water quality issues to health.

An investigation by ProPublica and The Washington Post found that the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is failing to adequately protect hundreds of thousands of young athletes from sexual abuse. Despite promising strict safety measures and implementing sweeping reforms after a scandal, the AAU has been misleading the public about its prevention efforts and suppressing allegations.

Democrats are gathering to finalize their 2028 presidential primary calendar, with plans to cement South Carolina's primary as the first on January 22. The proposed overhaul aims to give greater influence to states reflecting the party’s coalition, differing from years when Iowa and New Hampshire led the contest. Meanwhile, the group faces internal turmoil regarding leadership and lags behind Republicans in fundraising.

Democrats are meeting to finalize their 2028 presidential primary calendar, with plans to frontload states such as South Carolina (Jan 22) and Nevada (Feb 1). This overhaul is designed to give greater influence to states reflecting Black and Latino voters, departing from previous reliance on Iowa and New Hampshire. The proposed changes have drawn criticism from officials in both Iowa and New Hampshire.

Brandon and Emily Myers were charged with child endangerment after police rescued a severely malnourished juvenile girl with autism who was locked in her bedroom without food, water, or restroom access. Officers found that the door had an external locking mechanism installed backward and screws had been placed on the window frame. The search revealed neglectful living conditions, including no source of food or water in the bedroom.

Brandon and Emily Myers were charged with child endangerment causing injury after police found a severely malnourished juvenile girl with autism locked in her bedroom in Sioux City. The investigation revealed extreme neglect, including modifications to the door and window to prevent escape, and finding no source of food or water inside the room.

Brandon and Emily Myers were charged with child endangerment after police found a severely malnourished girl with autism locked in her bedroom without food or water. The investigation revealed the door was equipped with mechanisms installed to prevent exit, and officers found no source of food or water inside the room. One defendant admitted that the girl was kept locked up nightly and required using a plastic tote containing urine for sanitation.

The expansion of Iowa's Education Savings Account program has prompted rural public school districts to assess significant impacts on their budgets, classrooms, and enrollment. Superintendents report challenges with financial stability and staff retention due to student movement toward private schools. These pressures have forced some districts to make difficult decisions, such as cutting core programs or merging with neighboring schools.

Two people were killed, including 33-year-old Joshua Tack and a 10-year-old child, following an accident involving a car and UTV on Saturday night in Dubuque County, Iowa. First responders arrived at the intersection of East Worthington Road and Comer Road. Five other individuals were seriously injured, and the crash remains under investigation.

Iowa authorities reported that two people were killed and five others seriously injured in a car crash involving a car and a utility terrain vehicle on Saturday night. The deceased included 33-year-old Joshua Tack, a principal at Beaman-Conrad-Liscomb-Union-Whitten Community School District, and a 10-year-old child. The accident occurred at the intersection of East Worthington Road and Comer Road in Dubuque County.

Public school absences remain high, and there is no universal consensus on how to count student attendance, making it difficult to compare data across states. In response, Iowa passed comprehensive legislation in 2024 mandating that all districts use a standardized minute-level method for counting attendance starting with the 2025-26 school year.

A poll revealed a wide gap between how voters perceive political parties and how they view individual candidates. This perception gap was observed in several states, including Iowa, North Carolina, and Maine.

Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley eulogized a beloved vacuum cleaner named Beth. The vacuum has been in the senator’s family for nearly 50 years and was featured on his social media. He shared a post stating, “U willl see Beth no more.”

Senator Chuck Grassley announced the death of his vacuum, named Beth. The Senator is from Iowa and often posted about the vacuum's life around the holidays. He reportedly uses a social media platform with an irreverent style.

A new poll reports that Rob Sand is leading Zach Lahn in the Iowa governor’s race, while Josh Turek trails Ashley Hinson in the Senate race. The Emerson College Polling/Nexstar Media survey found that 48 percent of Iowa voters were behind Sand.

Fifteen U.S. states are now linked to a cyclospora outbreak tied to iceberg lettuce, with investigations pointing to Taylor Farms as the source. Over 25,000 cases have been reported nationwide, including 12,000 in Michigan alone, with two deaths attributed to the outbreak.

Fifteen U.S. states are now linked to a cyclospora outbreak tied to iceberg lettuce, with investigations pointing to Taylor Farms as the source. The CDC reports over 25,000 cases nationwide, including two deaths in Michigan, and the FDA is tracking five separate cyclospora outbreaks.

The CDC has expanded the largest known cyclosporiasis outbreak to 15 states, including six new states: Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and North Carolina. Michigan reported the first two US deaths linked to the disease.

The CDC has expanded the cyclosporiasis outbreak to 15 states in the US, adding six new states after Michigan reported its first two deaths linked to the disease. The affected states include Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and North Carolina, according to sources cited by the Washington Post.

Ashley Ruhland, 35, allegedly shot and killed Justin Emmick during target practice on remote land in Iowa, telling police it was 'either him or me.' The incident occurred during what was described as target practice on remote property.

Schools are reevaluating the necessity of providing every student with a laptop, with many districts implementing clearer guidelines on technology use. States like Iowa and Utah have introduced laws limiting screen time for young students, while districts such as Los Angeles Unified and Georgia's Marietta City Schools are restricting device usage to cases with clear instructional value.

Online prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket face scrutiny from state lawmakers who argue they undermine state gambling regulations. The platforms claim to be commodity markets regulated by the CFTC, but states have initiated legal actions and legislation, leading to heated debates and lawsuits. The Trump administration has also intervened, seeking to limit state oversight.

The Twin Cities will experience hazy sunshine today with highs in the upper 80s, followed by showers and thunderstorms overnight through Tuesday morning. Thunderstorms may produce gusty winds, hail, and heavy downpours, leading to wet roads for the Tuesday commute. Wildfire smoke from western U.S. and Canada will cause poor air quality on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Online prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket face scrutiny from state lawmakers who argue they bypass gambling regulations, particularly around sports betting. At a recent summit, legislators criticized the platforms, citing concerns over underage participation and lack of transparency, while Kalshi claimed it operates under federal commodity futures regulations.

A four-vehicle crash in suburban Kendall County on Friday night resulted in three deaths, including a 4-year-old girl from Iowa. Officials confirmed the fatalities.

Two vacant buildings collapsed in Muscatine, Iowa, sending bricks and debris into the street. The incident was captured in striking images.

Latisha Collier, a participant in the reality show 'Love After Lockup,' was sentenced to 15 years in an Iowa prison for forgery and theft. She used another person's identification and tax documents to apply for housing after being denied, leveraging access gained during her decade-long role as the victim's accountant. Her husband, Keith Michael Collier, was released from a federal prison in January 2025 and later arrested for drug possession.

Latisha Collier, a former 'Love After Lockup' star, was sentenced to 15 years in an Iowa prison for forgery and theft. She used another person’s identification and tax documents to apply for housing after being denied in 2024. Her husband, Keith Michael Collier, was released in 2025 after a federal sentence and was later arrested in 2025 for drug possession, though her charge was dismissed.

Latisha Collier, a former 'Love After Lockup' participant, was sentenced to 15 years in an Iowa prison for forgery and theft. She used another person's identification and tax documents to apply for housing after being denied housing in March 2024. Collier had access to the victim's personal and business details through her role as their accountant for 10 years.

Online prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket face scrutiny from state lawmakers who argue they bypass gambling regulations. States have initiated lawsuits and proposed legislation, while the platforms claim regulation should be handled nationally by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Kalshi preemptively sued Iowa's attorney general to block enforcement actions.

Online prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket face scrutiny from state lawmakers who argue they circumvent gambling regulations. The platforms claim they operate like commodity markets, but states are enacting legislation and lawsuits to enforce oversight, with the Trump administration opposing state regulation. A conflict over jurisdiction between states and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission has intensified, as 44 state attorneys general challenge the agency's authority.

A fire at an Iowa kosher meat plant has halted production and left 600 workers unemployed. OU Kosher is working to increase output at other facilities ahead of the High Holidays and warns of bad actors exploiting observant Jews for profit.