Iowa Pulse

Iowa Pulse is a digital-first newsroom covering breaking news, weather, public safety, open records and local stories from communities across Iowa.

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PAGE COUNTY, Iowa — A major animal neglect investigation involving the rescue of 23 dogs from a rural College Springs property has resulted in a guilty plea.

According to the Page County Sheriff's Office, deputies partnered with the Animal Rescue League of Iowa in March to safely rescue the animals.

The operation required extensive coordination and resources due to the large number of dogs involved.

Following an investigation conducted in collaboration with the Page County Attorney's Office, the animals' owner pleaded guilty to animal neglect.

The sheriff's office highlighted the case this week, thanking the Animal Rescue League of Iowa for its assistance and reaffirming its commitment to protecting animals throughout the county.

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LAWTON, Iowa — A man has died following a trench collapse Tuesday night in Woodbury County.

According to the Lawton Community Fire Department, emergency crews were dispatched around 9:24 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, to 1709 Highway 20 following reports of an injured person trapped in a collapsed trench.

Due to the complexity of the rescue, additional assistance was requested from surrounding agencies, including the Woodbury County Sheriff's Office, Sergeant Bluff Fire Department and Sioux City Fire Department.

Despite rescue efforts, the adult male victim was pronounced dead.

Authorities have not released the man's identity out of respect for his family.

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Iowa's average gas price is now $4.14 per gallon, up $1.33 from a year ago. Diesel averages $6.14, a $2.60 increase year-over-year, according to AAA.

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Officials have confirmed H5N1 bird flu in a commercial turkey flock, marking Iowa's eighth case of 2026.

Poultry owners are urged to strengthen biosecurity measures and watch for signs of illness. https://t.co/vwPhqvfGAb

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MILLS COUNTY, Iowa — A 33-year-old Glenwood man has been arrested following an investigation into an alleged sexual assault in Pacific Junction.

According to the Mills County Sheriff's Office, Joshua Miller was arrested Monday, Oct. 26, and charged with sexual abuse by force, a Class C felony.

The investigation began after an adult woman reported an alleged sexual assault that occurred Oct. 7 in Pacific Junction.

Authorities believe there may be additional victims and are asking the public for information.

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COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa — City officials are reviewing longstanding financial agreements with Google after Mayor Jill Shudak revealed that Council Bluffs missed out on an estimated $4.3 million in utility franchise fee revenue in 2024 alone.

According to reporting by KMTV 3 News Now, a 2011 city ordinance gave Google a special arrangement that capped its electric utility franchise fee at 2%.

The mayor said outside legal counsel determined the arrangement was inconsistent with Iowa law.

But that isn't the only issue under review.

City officials are also examining property tax exemptions tied to Google's data center development.

The original agreement reportedly called for two separate 20-year tax abatement periods. However, Shudak said the exemptions were administered in a way that resulted in 14 separate 20-year periods.

The city is now working with legal and financial advisers to determine whether any missed revenue can be recovered.

It remains unclear how much money, if any, Google may legally owe the city.

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CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Iowa's two major-party candidates for governor will face off tonight, Tuesday, October 27, in a televised debate just one week before Election Day.

Democrat Rob Sand and Republican Zach Lahn will meet for a 90-minute debate beginning at 6:30 p.m. Central in Cedar Rapids.

Hosted by KCRG-TV9 and The Gazette, the debate will give both candidates an opportunity to discuss their plans for Iowa's future as they compete to replace Gov. Kim Reynolds, who is not seeking reelection.

The candidates have previously debated in Davenport and Sioux City, discussing issues including the economy and cost of living.

HOW TO WATCH:

Time: 6:30 p.m. tonight
Television: KCRG 9.2
Online: KCRG website
Streaming: KCRG, KTIV and KWQC apps and websites

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3.

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@CHDAngelMom Many do not even pay attention.

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DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird has joined the Federal Trade Commission and 19 other states in a major lawsuit accusing Dollar General of repeatedly charging shoppers more at checkout than the prices advertised on store shelves.

According to the lawsuit, thousands of Dollar General locations nationwide allegedly overcharged customers by millions of dollars.

Federal regulators claim the company received tens of thousands of consumer complaints about incorrect prices but failed to adequately address the problem despite knowing about it.

“When an Iowan goes into Dollar General, they should be able to trust they are paying the advertised price,” Bird said.

The lawsuit alleges Dollar General violated federal consumer protection laws and Iowa's Consumer Fraud Act.

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The sun will begin setting before 5 p.m. in parts of Iowa next week as daylight saving time comes to an end.

On Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, clocks will fall back one hour at 2 a.m., returning to 1 a.m. That means noticeably earlier sunsets across the state.

Here's what to expect Sunday evening:

Dubuque: 4:55 p.m.
Cedar Rapids: 5:00 p.m.
Des Moines: 5:08 p.m.
Clarinda: 5:16 p.m.
Council Bluffs: 5:18 p.m.

Western Iowa will generally enjoy a few extra minutes of evening daylight compared with eastern Iowa, but the earlier darkness will be noticeable statewide.

Check our graphic for sunset times in 15 Iowa communities.

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ELLIOTT, Iowa — Firefighters from multiple departments responded to a structure fire Monday morning in the 100 block of Main Street in Elliott.

Crews were dispatched at approximately 10:21 a.m. after a fire reportedly started while someone was working on a grill.

The flames spread to a wooden canopy and a small storage shed, threatening nearby garages.

Firefighters from Elliott quickly knocked down the flames before they could spread to the neighboring structures. Red Oak firefighters also assisted at the scene.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and damage was limited to the canopy, shed and grill.

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HARRISON COUNTY, Iowa — Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation Monday for Harrison County following severe damage to highways and roadways caused by storms that began Sept. 29.

The proclamation takes effect immediately and remains in place for 30 days unless extended or terminated.

The declaration activates the Federal Highway Administration's Emergency Relief Program, allowing eligible road and bridge repairs to qualify for federal financial assistance.

The program is designed to help cover extraordinary costs associated with repairing and rebuilding transportation infrastructure damaged by natural disasters.

State officials have not yet released a complete list of affected roads or an estimated cost of repairs.

The proclamation could provide important financial assistance as Harrison County continues recovering from the September storms.

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AUDUBON COUNTY, Iowa — A 16-year-old Audubon resident was killed and another driver was seriously injured Sunday morning after a semitruck struck a farm tractor on U.S. Highway 71 in Audubon County.

According to the Iowa State Patrol, the crash occurred at approximately 11:47 a.m. Oct. 25, south of 220th Street.

Investigators said a 2018 Freightliner Cascadia semitruck, driven by 46-year-old Kenneth Lee Mohr of Audubon, was traveling north on Highway 71 when it collided with the rear of a northbound 1986 John Deere tractor pulling a trailer.

The tractor was operated by 16-year-old Tatum Eugene Christensen of Audubon.

Christensen was ejected from the tractor during the collision and pronounced dead at the scene.

Mohr sustained serious injuries and was transported by LifeFlight helicopter to the University of Nebraska Medical Center for treatment.

The crash prompted the temporary closure of a portion of Highway 71 south of Audubon as emergency crews responded.

The Iowa State Patrol is investigating the collision. The Audubon Police Department, Audubon County Sheriff's Office and local firefighters assisted at the scene.

Additional details surrounding the circumstances of the crash have not been released.

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A 47-year-old Stuart man has been arrested following an early-morning disturbance that left another man with visible injuries, according to police.

William Joseph Mumford was taken into custody Oct. 21 after officers responded to a residence on Southwest Fourth Street.

Investigators described allegations of threatening behavior, a physical confrontation and injuries observed at the scene.

A witness also provided information to police about what happened.

Mumford faces a charge of assault causing bodily injury or mental illness. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

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A Des Moines man has been arrested in connection with the alleged theft of a pickup truck worth more than $10,000 from a Stuart business.

Thomas Michael Yarges, 56, was taken into custody Oct. 19 following an investigation into the July theft of a 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 High Country.

Court documents describe how investigators used surveillance footage, witness information and assistance from multiple law enforcement agencies to identify a suspect.

Yarges faces a first-degree theft charge, a Class C felony.

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A meeting between President Donald Trump and Catholic bishops has sparked controversy after Iowa's Bishop William Joensen said the gathering was exploited for partisan political purposes.

Joensen, who leads the Diocese of Des Moines, attended the Oct. 22 White House meeting alongside other Catholic bishops. Photos and video of the religious leaders praying with Trump were later released publicly.

The bishop said the meeting was intended to discuss important policy issues, not endorse the president or his administration.

"I wish I had been more shrewd and less simple," Joensen wrote in a statement Saturday.

Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob, who also attended, issued a public apology Sunday, saying participants had expected a private discussion.

The White House defended Trump's relationship with Catholic Americans.

The controversy comes just days before the November midterm elections.

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Iowa is starting the week with unusually warm temperatures, but changes are on the way as we head toward Halloween weekend.

Highs could reach the upper 70s early in the week, with scattered showers possible by Wednesday evening.

The bigger concern arrives Saturday, Oct. 31, when rain chances are expected to increase across Iowa.

The Des Moines area could see a 70% chance of rain, with showers potentially continuing into Sunday.

Rainfall totals could range from around a quarter-inch to as much as 1.5 inches in some areas, particularly across northern and central Iowa.

Iowa Pulse contributing meteorologist Alex Kerkhove breaks down the seven-day forecast, including what families should know ahead of Halloween night.

Watch the full video for the latest outlook.

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MARION COUNTY, Iowa — A 29-year-old Knoxville man was killed late Saturday night after his pickup truck left a roadway, vaulted over a drainage ditch and overturned in Marion County, according to the Iowa State Patrol.

Alex Eugene Killoren, 29, was driving a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado westbound on Highway T17, east of 216th Place, when he failed to negotiate a curve shortly before midnight Saturday, Oct. 24.

According to the State Patrol, the pickup entered a ditch and vaulted over a drainage culvert before pitching forward and flipping at least once.

Killoren was ejected from the vehicle during the crash.

Emergency medical personnel attempted lifesaving measures before transporting him to Pella Regional Health Center, according to the State Patrol. Killoren was identified as the fatality in the crash.

Authorities indicated Killoren was not wearing a seat belt.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office and Pella EMS assisted at the scene.

The circumstances leading up to the crash remain unclear. No additional vehicles were listed as involved.

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CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — An apparent explosion sparked a fire Saturday afternoon at the Quaker Oats plant in downtown Cedar Rapids, sending thick black smoke into the sky and prompting a major emergency response.

The Cedar Rapids Fire Department responded around 4:45 p.m. after reports of a fire at the facility. Residents reported hearing and feeling an explosion before smoke began rising from the building.

Mayor Tiffany O'Donnell confirmed that all employees were accounted for and no injuries or fatalities were reported.

The facility is considered the world's largest cereal milling operation, processing more than 2 million pounds of oats daily.

The cause of the explosion and the extent of the damage remain under investigation.

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FORT MADISON, Iowa — A 39-year-old Fort Madison man was killed Friday morning in a collision involving a motorcycle and a passenger car, according to the Iowa State Patrol.

The crash occurred at approximately 6:14 a.m. Oct. 23, 2026, in Fort Madison.

Authorities identified the motorcyclist as Ian W. Eaves, 39, of Fort Madison.

According to the State Patrol's preliminary findings, a 2001 Chevrolet Impala driven by Reginald L. Range, 51, of Burlington, was traveling west when Range attempted to make a left turn into a private driveway.

Investigators said Range failed to yield to an eastbound 2011 Harley-Davidson motorcycle operated by Eaves.

The motorcycle struck the passenger car in the eastbound lanes. Both vehicles came to rest in the roadway.

Eaves sustained fatal injuries and was transported to the State Medical Examiner's Office.

The crash information indicates Range was wearing a seat belt but does not specify whether he suffered injuries.

Multiple law enforcement agencies assisted at the scene.

The Iowa State Patrol continues to investigate the crash. No additional findings or potential charges have been announced.