Iowa First Media

Journalism That Puts Iowans First.

A @MitchJMilitello LLC.

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A White, Iowa City man will spend nearly two decades behind bars after federal authorities took down a significant methamphetamine and cocaine trafficking operation. On Wednesday, U.S. District Court Judge in Davenport sentenced 37-year-old Richard Allen Tuan Casey to 19 years and 7 months in federal prison. Casey was convicted on charges including conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine, possession with intent to distribute the drugs, and using a communication device to advance the trafficking scheme.

Court records show Casey had been moving drugs in the area from at least early 2024 through May 2025. Prosecutors said he drove to a Walmart parking lot in Ames to collect 30 pounds of methamphetamine valued at more than $70,000 just days before his arrest. The Johnson County Drug Task Force built the case with help from a confidential informant who made several controlled purchases, leading investigators straight to Casey. When agents searched his property they recovered 22 pounds of the meth, along with cocaine, drug packaging materials, paraphernalia, and a loaded pistol. 

In January, Casey pleaded guilty to four drug trafficking counts. A jury later acquitted him on separate firearm charges tied to the operation. Following his prison term, he will face 5 years of supervised release. The case is part of ongoing efforts by local and federal law enforcement to crack down on large-scale drug distribution networks in Eastern Iowa.

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A 21-year-old African man has been charged with attempted murder following a late-night shooting at a popular Clive Park that left two teenagers injured. Abdalla Hasan, of Des Moines, was arrested Tuesday and faces a Class B felony charge in connection with the June 4 incident at Campbell Park on Woodlands Parkway. A large group of Black adults and youths had gathered for a party promoted on social media when an altercation broke out. Investigators say Hasan pulled out a handgun and fired multiple shots into a vehicle, striking the occupants.

The victims, 18-year-old Jaivon Jefferson of Des Moines, and a 17-year-old girl, were both hit by gunfire. Jefferson suffered wounds to his hands and abdomen and required an extended hospital stay, while the girl was shot in the leg. Both have since been treated and released. Police Chief Mark Rehberg credited witnesses who came forward with key information during a lengthy investigation, noting that detectives continue pursuing additional leads and may file more charges. Hasan was booked into the Clive jail before being transferred to Polk County Jail pending arraignment.

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@aidannonx Thank you, Aidan!

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In quite the display of desperation, Rob Sand just dropped a new 30-second advertisement called “Neighbors” that lifts lines almost word-for-word from Zach Lahn’s earlier “Defend Our Land” advertisement. Sand’s script echoes Lahn’s warnings about hedge funds buying up Iowa homes and China owning farmland, right down to the closing line, “I say we keep Iowa homes and land in Iowa hands.” It’s the same core message Lahn has been hammering for months, in protecting Iowa land and homes for Iowans first. The only difference was that Lahn was saying it back in March, while Sand was busy attacking the Republican candidates. Now, Sand is suddenly singing the same tune.

This is not leadership. This is legitimate copycatting from a career politician who’s been in office for years, and who is only now pretending to care about the issues that Zach Lahn has actually been fighting for. Iowa voters, specifically, are not stupid. They can see Sand is scrambling to steal Lahn’s popular “Iowa First” message because his own record offers nothing fresh. Iowa deserves a Governor with original ideas and a backbone, not one who waits to steal them.

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@KosmoComplainer Yes, we are involved with investigative reporting. We have just given you a follow — feel free shoot us a DM!

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Iowa Democrats are constantly bashing “the rich” and “billionaires” for being the root of all societal problems. Anyone who dares to succeed in Iowa business is seen as someone who is upholding inequality. They push for higher taxes on high earners while calling out “corporate greed.” They paint successful people as evil, no matter what they do for a living. They cheer against tax breaks for business, and complain about data centers and Big Ag. They emphasize class warfare, and demand that the rich “pay their fair share.” It’s all a part of the playbook to stoke resentment among Iowans and rally the base. But apparently, all that fire and brimstone vanishes the second the rich guy has a “D” next to his name.

Enter Rob Sand, the Democratic candidate for governor whose family wealth makes him the ultimate walking contradiction. Sand’s in-laws, the Lauridsen family, built a massive global empire in health, nutrition, and food products, making them one of the richest families in the state of Iowa. However, you won’t hear a single peep of criticism from his party about this. There have certainly been no class-war attacks on how the Lauridsen’s even gained their mysterious wealth in the first place, which is even more hypocritical.

Instead, billionaires like Reid Hoffman, currently under investigation for his ties to Epstein, and Jonathan Soros, son of investor George Soros, funnel massive amounts of cash straight into his campaign without any pushback. Sand’s campaign has raised nearly $12 million across recent cycles, including over $7 million in 2024 from his family alone ($3 million from Christine, $4 million from Christine’s parents). That helped him haul in $8.6 million that year, crushing what the governor raised. Even in 2025, Sand raked in another $9.5 million. While he loves talking about small-dollar donations, the reality is that his political rise has been supercharged by his family millions that most Iowans couldn’t even imagine.

It’s pure hypocrisy that exposes Sand as just another elite politician acting like a populist. He acts like a down-to-earth Iowan prosecutor and auditor fighting for the little guy, but his path is paved by family money that dwarfs what regular folks could even dream of. Democrats overlook it because he’s “one of them,” but voters see the blatant double standard. If Sand’s wealthy in-laws weren’t bankrolling him to this degree, would he even be a serious candidate? Iowa deserves better than this selective outrage and bought-and-paid-for politics.

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Editor’s Note: It is estimated that around 93.2% of Moulton’s population identifies as White Non-Hispanic, while 82.7% of Iowa’s population identifies as White Non-Hispanic.

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A 17-year-old White teen from Moulton, Iowa has been charged with 3 counts of attempted murder after allegedly shooting 3 family members during a domestic dispute on Monday afternoon. According to the Appaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, Drakona Lee Clark retrieved a .40-caliber semi-automatic handgun from his father’s bedroom and intentionally fired at his estranged stepmother, his 20-year-old brother, and his brother’s 21-year-old girlfriend at a home on East Third Street. All 3 victims suffered gunshot wounds, but are expected to recover. The stepmother and girlfriend were airlifted to a Des Moines hospital, and the brother was treated locally in Centerville.

Following the shooting, Clark fled the scene on foot, but was arrested just eight blocks away. He was taken to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City for treatment of injuries sustained in the earlier physical altercation. He was then booked into the Appaloosa County Jail on an $85,000 cash-only bond. The Sheriff’s Office said the incident stemmed from a family argument that turned violent, leaving neighbors stunned by the sudden chaos in their quiet community.

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Editor’s Note: It is estimated that around 9.5% of Iowa City’s population identifies as Black, while 4.8% of Iowa’s population identifies as Black.

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IOWA CITY, Iowa —  A Johnson County judge has ruled that Damariam Jones, the Black male suspect in the April PedMall shooting in Iowa City, will be tried as an adult. Jones haves 5 counts of attempted murder and other related charges after police say he fired multiple rounds into a crowd on the pedestrian mall in the early morning hours of April 19. At the time of the incident, Jones was 17 years old. He recently turned 18, prompting his defense team to argue that the case should be transferred to juvenile court where he could receive more rehabilitation-focused treatment.

The Honorable Justin Lightfoot, the District Judge, disagreed with that request, pointing to Jones’ prior history in the juvenile system. Court records show 3 previous cases involving guns, which weighed heavily in the decision. The judge also highlighted the seriousness of the current charges, and expressed concerns about public safety, stating that keeping the case in juvenile court could leave the community at risk. A juvenile court officer had similarly testified that moving forward in juvenile court would not be appropriate given Jones’ pattern of behavior.

Jones is now set to face adult proceedings, with his trial scheduled for August 19. He has not waived his right to a speedy trial. The ruling allows the court more flexibility in sentencing if Jones is convicted. This thankfully includes longer terms.

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Democratic candidate Rob Sand released a new campaign advertisement today, with messages that sound strikingly similar to what Zach Lahn has been hammering for months. Sand’s short clip laments how Iowans can’t buy homes because “predatory hedge funds” are driving up prices, family farms are being snapped up by foreign investors,and data centers are jacking up utility bills with taxpayer breaks. He wraps it up by saying we need to “keep Iowa homes and Iowa land in Iowa hands.” Sound familiar? Lahn was calling out this exact issue back in April, calling out Blackstone by name for buying single-family homes in Des Moines, and renting them back to young Iowa families, while out-of-state funds gobble up farmland.

It’s pretty rich watching Sand suddenly echo Lahn’s “Iowa First” message months later as if it’s a fresh idea. Lahn has consistently pushed real solutions, like banning institutional investors from buying single-family homes, and raising taxes on out-of-state buyers to lower costs for actual Iowans. While Sand plays catch-up, Lahn has been sounding the alarm on Wall Street and foreign profiteers turning Iowa neighborhoods and farms into profit centers since the start of his campaign. Voters deserve original leadership, not recycled talking points.

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CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — A viral video showing Cedar Rapids police officers taking a woman to the ground has sparked outrage online. However, bodycam and bystander footage along with official reports paint a clearer picture of a scene that was caused by interference. On July 7, officers responded to the Homeland Security Investigations building after reports that a group was blocking the driveway. One man was already being detained for interference with official acts when 45-year-old Annya Mari inserted herself into the situation, loudly arguing with officers and refusing to back down. According to police, Mari was verbally interjecting herself into the arrest, and physically resisting as officers attempted to place her in handcuffs.

The confrontation escalated quickly as Mari twisted and flexed her upper body while questioning why she was being detained, despite clear warnings. Officers, dealing with an active interference during a lawful arrest, used a takedown maneuver to safely gain control. She was brought to the ground, handcuffed, and later charged with interference with official acts and harassment of a public official, which are both simple misdemeanors. Police have emphasized that the video circulating online shows only a brief portion of the incident, and that no injuries were reported after she was evaluated.

The Cedar Rapids Police Department is conducting its standard administrative review of the use of force, as they do with all reportable incidents. While activist gargoyles have rushed to defend Mari and demand bodycam footage and administrative leave for the officers, the facts show a woman who chose to escalate the situation rather than comply.

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ADEL, Iowa — The remains of Maj. Brad Hovey, the 35-year-old airman killed in last month’s B-52 bomber crash, made their journey home Friday as a procession through central Iowa to honor his life and service. The midday route began at Des Moines International Airport, headed west along I-80, and then turned north through Dallas Center before arriving at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home in Adel. Community members lined the streets to pay their respects.

Born in Algona and raised in Adel, Hovey graduated from Adel DeSoto Minburn High School before studying aerospace engineering at Iowa State University, where he joined the Air Force ROTC. He went on to serve three deployments with more than 200 combat flight hours. Friends remembered him as smart, funny, and determined, and caring. Public visitation is scheduled for Thursday, July 16, from 1-7pm at New Hope Church in Adel, followed by funeral services the next day. He will be laid to rest at Iowa Veterans Cemetery. Governor Kim Reynolds is ordering flags at half-mast through sunset on July 17. The cause of the June 17 crash at Edwards Air Force Base remains under investigation.

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U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a major figure in Republican politics for decades, and close ally of Donald Trump, has died at age 71 after a “brief and sudden illness.”

The longtime lawmaker, who had just returned from a trip to Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, passed away Saturday night at his Capitol Hill home, according to a statement from his office. Emergency crews responded to reports of a cardiac arrested there, and photos showed paramedics rushing him from the scene. Graham, first elected to the Senate in 2003 after years in the House, chaired the Budget Committee and was seeking reelection this Fall. His family is asking for prayers and privacy during this tough time.

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The Iowa City Community School District is one of the largest and most prominent public school systems in Iowa, serving over 14,000 students. They have recently been rocked by a massive financial meltdown that’s drawn statewide scrutiny thanks to reckless mismanagement, partially enabled by Rob Sand’s failures at State Auditor. The problems boiled over in January 2026 when the school board had to approve a $10 million interfund loan taken out months earlier to cover staff salaries after years of jaw-dropping incompetence. What followed was years of missing bank reconciliations, funds dumped into wrong accounts, skyrocketing payroll costs that jumped 9% beyond projections, and a shocking $38 million into unapproved interfund transfers that violated state rules with total disregard.

Audits for fiscal years 2023 through 2025 have been chronically delayed due to the district’s bungling with the 2023 report landing two years late. The fiscal 2024 audit had three main weaknesses. Lax payroll oversight that fueled over-hiring, a nearly $1 million deficit in the student activity fund illegally propped up by general funds, and overspending in capital accounts. These messes led to Moody’s revoking of the district’s bond rating in late 2024. This scared off lenders and forced emergency measures like selling properties and seeking loans to avoid payroll shortfalls.

State officials have not held back in condemning the chaos. The Iowa Board of Education called the situation “mind-boggling” and “embarrassing,” with members questioning how leaders missed basic financial red flags. The School Budget Review Committee has labeled the district a “frequent flier” for repeated violations, and demanded monthly reports plus another appearance in October. Many of these violations were enabled due to Sand’s oversight lapses.

In response, the district slashed $7.5 million from the 2026-27 budget and cut 23 teaching positions. Superintendent Matt Degner shifted roles, and Pat Moore was hired as CFO. A new community financial oversight committee is also in the works. They are continuing to work through challenges like athletic funding deficits, and future cuts are likely into the future.

While the district insists that it’s turning a fresh start, there are still much deeper issues involving the lack of transparency and accountability. Parents, taxpayers, and state watchdogs are watching closely as the Iowa City Community School District works to restore trust and financial health after years of reckless waste. These are lessons that could ripple across other districts if similar lapses go unchecked by irresponsible leadership. The recovery won’t be quick, but better oversight would be a step in the right direction.

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Attorneys for the Des Moines Register and its former pollster J. Ann Selzer tried to convince an Iowa judge on Friday to toss President Donald J. Trump’s lawsuit over their wildly inaccurate pre-election poll. However, Trump’s legal team pushed back hard, arguing that the publication’s actions may have been deliberate manipulation that undermined the democratic process. Trump sued the Register, its parent company Gannett, and Selzer in December 2024 after the paper’s Iowa Poll. The poll was released just 3 days before the November election, and falsely showed Kamala Harris leading him by three points in the state. In reality, Trump crushed Harris by more than 13 points. This proved the poll to be a colossal failure, or what Trump believes, a fabricated hit job designed to create the illusion of Harris momentum nationwide. Trump’s attorneys, including Alan Ostergen, made clear that this wasn’t protected journalism, but rather consumer fraud under Iowa law, aimed at deceiving voters and damaging his campaign.

During the hearing before Polk County District Judge Scott Beattie, Trump’s side emphasized the need for discovery to uncover how Selzer produced such “statistically improbably” numbers. Ostergen questioned whether a real poll was even conducted, or if the results were simply pushed out the floor despite the red flags. He argued that politicians like Trump, Rep. Marianette Miller-Meeks, and former Sen. Bradley Zaun deserves to run for office without media outlets rigging the information environment with lies dropped at critical moments.

The Des Moines Register, represented by Nicholas Klinefeldt, and Selzer’s attorney Robert Corn-Revere, leaned on First Amendment protections, dismissing the suit as a frivolous, and claiming polls are just “scientific opinion” immune from scrutiny. Corn-Revere mocked the case as conspiracy theories from those who don’t understand polling. The Register claimed that no consumer merchandise was involved and no real damages occurred. Many believe that their motion to dismiss looks like another attempt to evade accountability for poisoning the electorate with fantasy results that Trump calls “political theater.”

Judge Beattie expressed pause over the “massive First Amendment implications,” and potential chilling effect, but pressed the Register’s team on the novelty of the claims, noting the lack of precedent for such media misconduct. Trump’s lawyers stood firm that evidence of fraud isn’t needed yet, and that discovery will reveal the truth. This allows the jury to decide the case, rather than letting it die early. As the judge takes weeks to rule, President Trump continued his fight against media outlets like the Register. He has always stood for fair elections, and holding powerful institutions responsible. The case could set a massive precedent for polling in the media.

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At the 2026 Iowa GOP Lincoln Dinner last night, Iowa Republican Nominee for Governor Zach Lahn released a statement of unity heading into the election cycle. He expressed deep gratitude for President Trump’s endorsement, and declared that the GOP is ready to deliver another victory in the Hawkeye State. “Donald Trump has won Iowa twice, and I look forward to working with him again,” Lahn stated. He emphasized the strong backing from Iowa Republicans and the undeniable energy that Trump brings whenever he visits. With the party united behind him, Lahn made it clear that Iowans are eager to welcome Trump back and secure another win for the state and the country.

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