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Iowa early News Headlines: 7/5/2019

News

July 5th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Police say a man was fatally shot by police after confronting them with a weapon when officers were called to a Des Moines-area home because of a domestic disturbance. West Des Moines police said the shooting occurred about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday less than a mile from the junction of I-35 and I-235 on the city’s north side. The man was injured and died at a hospital. No officers were injured.

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (AP) — Candidates collided Thursday at the Iowa Cubs ballpark in Des Moines when former Vice President Joe Biden and his wife ran into former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke and his family. Biden walked into the park as the O’Rourkes watched the end of a naturalization ceremony happening on the field, and went to introduce himself and his wife. The two Democratic presidential candidates chatted pleasantly about baseball.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Court of Appeals has overturned a $3.25 million jury award against a Des Moines-area couple’s lawyer over a failed adoption where the baby boy later was murdered in 2014. The Des Moines Register reports that a three-judge panel ruled Wednesday that adoption attorney Jason Rieper’s conduct fell short of the legal threshold permitting Rachel and Heidi McFarland of Ankeny to recover damages for emotional distress from alleged legal malpractice.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A new Iowa law will set aside part of the state’s lottery revenues to help the families of firefighters and law enforcement officers keep insurance after their deaths. The Des Moines Register reports that the law will allow the Iowa Lottery to provide $100,000 to a new fund for assisting the families of firefighters and law enforcement officers who die on duty. It will help cover health or accident insurance costs.

Midwest Sports Headlines: 7/5/2019

Sports

July 5th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

SEATTLE (AP) — Matt Wieters and Dexter Fowler homered, Tommy Edman came through with another key hit, and the St. Louis Cardinals rallied for a 5-4 win over the Seattle Mariners. Wieters hit a solo shot in the third inning and Fowler added a two-run drive in the fourth. Daniel Ponce de Leon got his first major league win, and Carlos Martinez worked the ninth for his third save.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Francisco Lindor drove in three runs, Jose Ramirez homered twice and the Indians rallied to beat the Royals 8-4 to complete a three-game sweep. Adam Cimber earned the win in relief as the Indians’ bullpen bailed out ineffective starter Zach Plesac. Jorge Lopez took the loss in relief for Kansas City after inheriting a 3-2 lead and coughing up hits to the only four batters he faced.

Another big hit from Edman lifts Cardinals past Mariners 5-4

Sports

July 4th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

SEATTLE (AP) — Matt Wieters and Dexter Fowler homered, Tommy Edman came through with another key hit, and the St. Louis Cardinals rallied for a 5-4 win over the Seattle Mariners on Thursday. Wieters hit a solo shot in the third inning and Fowler added a two-run drive in the fourth. Daniel Ponce de Leon got his first major league win, and Carlos Martinez worked the ninth for his third save.

Edman put the Cardinals in front for the second straight day with a two-run single in the seventh. Edman connected for a pinch-hit three-run homer during St. Louis’ five-run ninth in a 5-2 win Wednesday night.

St. Louis starter Michael Wacha was charged with four runs and six hits in 3 1/3 innings, but the Cardinals bullpen was solid for the second straight game. Ponce de Leon (1-0) allowed one baserunner in 2 2/3 innings. Andrew Miller worked out of a jam in the eighth before Martinez finished.

J.P. Crawford and Tim Beckham homered for the Mariners, who have dropped six of seven. All-Star Daniel Vogelbach singled home a run. Seattle wasted a chance to tie the game in the eighth. The inning started with Mallex Smith hitting a liner that deflected off John Gant’s leg for a base hit. Miller then replaced Gant, and a single by Domingo Santana and a wild pitch put runners at second and third with one out.

Miller escaped the threat by striking out Vogelbach and Omar Narvaez, and got a big assist from Wieters keeping a spiked pitch to Narvaez from going to the backstop.

Seattle’s Tommy Milone (1-3) was solid for five innings following opener Matt Carasiti, but ran into trouble in the seventh. Milone was lifted after a leadoff walk and one-out single, and Matt Festa walked Wieters to load the bases. Edman barely missed a grand slam earlier in the at-bat when a deep fly ball hooked late. On the ninth pitch, Edman lined a slider into right to give St. Louis the lead.
EARLY EXIT
Cardinals manager Mike Shildt was ejected in the fourth inning after arguing with home plate umpire Rob Drake. Shildt was upset when Yairo Muñoz attempted to call time and it wasn’t granted, leading to a strike. Shildt continued to yell from the dugout and was tossed by Drake after Muñoz grounded out.
UP NEXT
Cardinals: Open a three-game series in San Francisco on Friday night. Dakota Hudson (6-4) gets the start in the opener looking to bounce back from the shortest start of his career after lasting 1 2/3 innings.

(Update) DCI Investigates Officer-Involved Shooting in WDSM

News

July 4th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines, IA) — On July 3, 2019, Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) agents and crime scene personnel were requested to investigate a shooting, which involved officers with the West Des Moines Police Department. The shooting, which took place at 1036 Woodland Park Drive in West Des Moines, resulted in the death of 26-year old Jonathan Pingel of West Des Moines.

West Des Moines Police Officer Matthew Wood and Officer Nathan Grove were dispatched to the 1036 Woodland Park Drive on a 911 report of a domestic disturbance. After meeting with the homeowner, Officer Wood and Officer Grove entered the home, where they encountered Mr. Pingel, armed with a hunting-style knife.

Officer Wood and Officer Grove gave Mr. Pingel commands to drop the knife. Mr. Pingel did not comply with the officer’s commands and advanced toward the officers with the knife. Officer Wood and Officer Grove each discharged their firearm; striking Mr. Pingel. Officers and EMS personnel provided Mr. Pingel medical assistance. Mr. Pingel was transported to a Des Moines hospital, where he died.

Body cameras worn by Officer Wood and Officer Grove recorded the encounter. The videos, which are part of the investigation, are not being released at this time.

Per West Des Moines Police Department policy, Officer Wood and Officer Grove were placed on paid administrative leave. The Polk County Medical Examiners Office will conduct an autopsy on Mr. Pingel. Once the investigation is complete, the DCI will provide all findings to the Polk County Attorney’s Office. This process may take weeks. No additional information will be released concerning this investigation.

Mexican retailers in Iowa this month, exploring ethanol purchases

Ag/Outdoor, News

July 4th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — Iowa ethanol producers are hosting a delegation from Mexico this month. Iowa Renewable Fuels Association executive director Monte Shaw says it’s a group involved in retail fuel sales in Mexico. “They’ve had a state-owned oil monopoly for a long time that they’ve cracked open and are now allowing competition,” Shaw says. And in 2017 Mexico, began allowing fuel with a 10 percent ethanol blend to be sold OUTSIDE the the three largest cities in the country. Shaw says these changes make Mexico an “emerging” market for ethanol produced in the U.S.

“Right now, Mexico is the number two export market for US ethanol production,” Shaw says, “about 350 million gallons.” That’s roughly equal to the annual output of more than three of the largest ethanol plants in Iowa according to Shaw. Most of the U.S. ethanol exported to Mexico has been used to make perfumes, solvents and beverages.

Harris clarifies stance on federally mandated school busing

News

July 4th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

INDIANOLA, Iowa (AP) — Sen. Kamala Harris is clarifying her position on federally mandated school busing, saying it’s only necessary in cases where local governments are actively opposing integration. Harris says that in the 1960s and ’70s, institutions “were literally working against integration of our schools.” Harris says that’s why she supported busing then but now thinks it should just be a “tool” available to local governments and school districts to address segregation. She says, “Today it is very rare that we require the courts or the federal government to intervene.”

Harris spoke with reporters Thursday before a campaign event in Indianola, Iowa. Her stance on busing came under scrutiny after last week’s debate, when she went after former Vice President Joe Biden for his stance on busing while he was a senator.

Armed man shot after confronting police in West Des Moines

News

July 4th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Police say a man was fatally shot by police after confronting them with a weapon when officers were called to a Des Moines-area home because of a domestic disturbance. West Des Moines police said the shooting occurred about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday less than a mile from the junction of Interstate 35 and I-235 on the city’s north side. Police said shots were fired moments after officers confronted the man. The man died of his injuries at a local hospital. Police said no officers were injured.

Police did not identify the man who died or describe his weapon. They did not say how many officers were involved or identify them. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation was examining the incident. The officers were to remain on administrative leave in the meantime.

Iowa appeals court overturns damages over failed adoption

News

July 4th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Court of Appeals has overturned a $3.25 million jury award against a Des Moines-area couple’s lawyer over a failed adoption where the baby boy later was murdered.

The Des Moines Register reports that a three-judge panel ruled Wednesday that adoption attorney Jason Rieper’s conduct fell short of the legal threshold permitting Rachel and Heidi McFarland of Ankeny to recover damages for emotional distress from alleged malpractice.

They sued because Rieper failed to get the birth mother’s signature in 2014 on a crucial document. Rieper said she changed her mind. The infant lived with the couple for two months before he was returned to his mother. Five weeks later, he was found dead in her apartment.

The father pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and received a 50-year prison sentence.

Biden says Trump’s July 4 spectacle ‘misses the point’

News

July 4th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (AP) — Former Vice President Joe Biden says President Donald Trump’s Fourth of July spectacle in Washington “misses the point.” Biden was speaking to a few hundred supporters in working-class Marshalltown, Iowa.

The Democratic presidential candidate says, “I wonder what Donald Trump will say this evening, when he speaks to the nation at an event designed more to stroke his ego than celebrate American ideals.”

Earlier, the 76-year-old Biden, in well-worn running shoes, zigzagged across a parade route in Independence, Iowa, often jogging from curb to curb, sometimes trotting backward.

Clearly in his element as a hand-to-hand politician, Biden posed for innumerable photos with supporters, such as Elizabeth Washburn, who traveled with her husband and son more than an hour from Iowa City to see Biden.

Celebrate Independence with KJAN and patriotic music

News

July 4th, 2019 by admin

We hope you are enjoying celebrating Independence Day! Bring KJAN along for your celebrations Thursday night. We will have a block of patriotic music running from 7:00pm-Midnight this evening to help you celebrate. So don’t worry about putting together that playlist, tune in to KJAN and sit back and enjoy those fireworks displays. Happy Independence Day from your friends at KJAN! Cardinals baseball coverage will prevent us from doing this Friday and Saturday nights.