Des Moines, Iowa [KCCI] – Health officials in two central Iowa counties are warning of an increase in cases of pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough. The Polk County Health Department said they are seeing an increase in the number of pertussis cases in the county. Pertussis is a bacterial infection that is contagious. The respiratory illness is most common in kids. Since Jan. 1st, Polk County has had 57 cases of whooping cough. Thirty-seven of those cases were reported since September. And 21 of them in the last two weeks.

An official with Unity Point Health Des Moines, said no one has been admitted to their hospital recently for whooping cough. But their clinics and emergency rooms have seen people come in for the disease. In Warren County, Warren County Health Services sent out a news release to parents and guardians in Carlisle Schools on Nov. 15th, warning of “an increase in the number of Pertussis cases throughout the county and the state.” The letter included information about symptoms and vaccinations. Symptoms of whooping cough include a runny nose, low-grade fever and a cough.

Nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said they’re seeing a spike too. The CDC said there are more than five times as many cases reported so far this year than there were at this time last year. The CDC also said the United States is moving towards more pre-pandemic patterns. According to a recent report, the number of reported cases this year is higher than it was at the same time in 2019, prior to the pandemic.

GRIMES, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Transportation’s Grimes Construction Office says, if you drive on eastbound Interstate 35/I-80 or east-/northbound I-235 to reach northbound I-35, or westbound I-80 to reach northbound I-35 at the Northeast Mixmaster, you need to be aware of upcoming nighttime construction work that may impact your trip.

Beginning tonight (Nov. 19), weather permitting, crews will close the westbound I-80 ramp to northbound I-35, east-/northbound I-235 to northbound I-35, and eastbound I-35/I-80 to northbound I-35 ramp (exit 137B), so work can take place. Single lane closures will begin around 8 p.m. at the Northeast Mixmaster. Full closures are expected to start at 10 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19 and will end at approximately 5 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 20, when the roadway is reopened. During the closures you will follow a marked detour route using I-35/I-80, U.S. 69/NE 14th Street (exit 136), Northeast 66th Avenue/Corporate Woods Drive, and I-35 (see map).

At 10 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 20 until 5 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21, crews will close eastbound I-35/I80 at U.S. 69/NE 14th Street (exit 136) and southbound I-35 to westbound I-235. When the lanes are closed and work is taking place, you will follow a marked detour route that uses U.S. 69/Northeast 14th Street and Northeast 66th Avenue/Corporate Woods Drive if you want to reach northbound I-35. If you wish to travel east on I-80 you will travel south on U.S. 69/Northeast 14th Street, east on U.S. 6/East Euclid Avenue, north on I-235, and then east on I-80 (see map).

At 10 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21, westbound I-80 will be closed at the ramp to northbound I-35. When the roadway is closed you will follow a marked detour route by traveling north on I-35 from westbound I-80 to reach Northeast 66th Avenue/Corporate Woods Drive (exit 89), and then exit and travel south on I-35 to reach westbound I-80.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

The latest traveler information is available anytime through Iowa’s 511 system. Visit 511ia.org; call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide); stay connected with 511 on Facebook or X (find links at https://iowadot.gov/511/511-social-media-sites); or download the free app to your mobile device.

Iowa City, Iowa (KCRG-TV) — In an update to our previous report, authorities say 21-year-old man is facing several charges after police say he obstructed them from investigating a potential hazing incident at the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity on the University of Iowa campus. Iowa City Police say on Friday at about 12:43 a.m., officers responded to 703 North Dubuque Street for a fire alarm that had gone off. While investigating, officers found 56 fraternity pledges in the basement, blindfolded with food splattered on them.

Officers say Joseph Gaya of Riverdale, Iowa blocked the doorway of the basement even after being asked to move several times. Later, police say Gaya stood in front of two witnesses in a separate room as an officer tried to talk to them about the incident. The officer asked Gaya to step out of the way multiple times, but police say he told the witnesses to not talk to officers. At one point, Gaya used an expletive as he told officers to leave the house. Witnesses told Gaya they were fine and said he should leave. Police officers arrested Gaya on a charge of interference with official acts. He does not live at the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity house and the University of Iowa says he is not a student.

The UI’s Office of Student Accountability placed Alpha Delta Phi on interim suspension starting Friday during the investigation of the incident. OSA says it was “due to the gravity of the allegations.” The national chapter has also suspended the charter until further notice.

(Creston, Iowa)- Officials with the Creston Police Department report a woman was arrested Monday morning on drug and other charges. Authorities say 32-year-old Tiffany Marie Misel, of Lorimor, was arrested at around 9:30-a.m. on charges that include: Possession of a Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine – 1st offense; Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and, Driving While Suspended. Misel was transported to the Union County Jail and later released after posting a $1,600 bond.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says the second administration of President Donald Trump will be different from the first. “What I see in the second Trump administration is the experience that was taken from the first four years and much more finessed moving into the second administration,” she says. Ernst, a Republican from Red Oak says she looks forward to having the President, Senate and U-S House all in the majority. “It’s going to be an exciting time, and this will be a change, a wave of change through federal government, which is, in my opinion, long, long overdue,” Ernst says.

Ernt says John Thune is a good choice to be the Senate Majority Leader. “He’s from South Dakota, so he understands our rural issues, our ag issues, and I think he is going to be a very effective leader. I think he’s he’s going to reach out and continue to reach out with the Trump administration. They will have an exceptional working relationship,” Ernst says. “So I’m excited about our potential in the new Congress, and look forward to John Thune’s leadership.”

Ernst missed out on bid for a Senate leadership position and will be chair of the Senate Small Business Committee.

(Radio Iowa) – A report from the Iowa Attorney General’s Office concludes a Sioux City police officer was justified in shooting and killing a man on October 20th. The report says Jamie Orozco refused repeated commands to stop when officers arrived and then pulled a silver handgun from his waistband, pointed it at the officers, and ran off. He fired at the officers as he fled, and officers eventually lost sight of him. A SWAT team entered the home where Orozco was believed to be hiding around 10 p-m. An officer found Orozco in a crawl space and told him to stop when he reached for a cloth bundle. The officer fired a single shot when Orozco ignored the warning, and Orozco died seven days later.