w/ Chris Parks

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (9.3MB)

Subscribe: RSS

The Red Oak Police Department reports the arrest of a Red Oak man for a driving violation on New Year’s Day. At 9:10 a.m. Officers witnessed 24-year-old Zachary Aaron Thomas of Red Oak operating a 2008 Chevy Impala and pulled into his residential driveway. Thomas was known to have a barred Iowa Driver’s License and was operating on a public highway. He was arrested for Driving While Barred- Habitual Offender and held at the Montgomery County Jail on $2,000 cash bond.

(Radio Iowa) – Students in k-through 12 classes and at the college level had to deal with a lot of changes in their routine this past year following the COVID-19 outbreak. Iowa State University president, Wendy Wintersteen, says they adjusted on the fly.

She says the actions they took appeared to have stopped the spread of the virus.

Wintersteen says it was evident that the students would rather be together on campus in Ames instead of taking classes online.

She says they will take what they learned and use it in the spring semester.

I-S-U’s Spring session begins on January 25th.

(Radio Iowa) – As a crossroads for three major interstates, authorities say Iowa is a critical trouble spot for human trafficking — and problems are worsening in the pandemic. Megan Cutter, director of the National Human Trafficking Hotline, says the first month of COVID-related shutdowns brought a 40-percent increase in crisis calls, while requests for shelter nearly doubled. Cutter says recent federal funding sent to local communities to help victims find housing is vitally needed.

Cutter says any legislation, federal or state, that can help provide stable housing to those in need, will go a long way toward helping curb human trafficking. It’s estimated 40-million people are trafficked every year in an industry worth 150-billion dollars a year. Cutter says traffickers often prey on people who don’t have a secure place to live.

The 2019 investigative documentary, “Gridshock,” explored the human trafficking industry in Iowa and claimed people are being bought and sold for sex — every day — in communities across the state. The National Human Trafficking Hotline is 888-373-7888.

**************

On the web at https://polarisproject.org/

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Des Moines attorney is suing several police officers and the city over their response to racial justice protests in May. The class-action lawsuit seeks to represent anyone arrested or assaulted by Des Moines officers during a protest May 31. Attorney Gina Messamer alleges in the lawsuit that officers illegally arrested and pepper-sprayed people protesting the death of George Floyd while he was in the custody of Minneapolis police.

The lawsuit alleges the officers’ actions violated protesters’ free speech rights and were meant to deter future demonstrations. Des Moines officials did not respond to requests for comment on the lawsuit.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Sioux City police say one person was killed and four others were injured in a shooting at a New Year’s party. Police say several shots were fired Friday morning from multiple guns into a home where people were celebrating New Year’s Eve.

An 18-year-old woman was found dead inside the home. Four others who were shot were treated at hospitals and are in stable condition. Police said many of the people at the party were underage. The investigation is continuing.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A federal judge has rejected Tyson Foods’ efforts to have a lawsuit over the death of an employee in Iowa moved to federal court. The family of Isidro Fernandez sued Tyson over his death April 26 from complications from COVID-19 after working at the company’s plant in Waterloo. The lawsuit was filed in state court but Tyson had sought to have it moved to federal court.

The company argued it was not liable because it was following federal guidance to stay open during the pandemic. A federal judge rejected that argument this week, sending the case back to state court.

More State and area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (6.7MB)

Subscribe: RSS

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:05-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (5.8MB)

Subscribe: RSS

An accident in Creston Thursday afternoon resulted in one person hurt and an estimated total of $30,000 worth of damage to the vehicles involved. Creston Police report a 2011 Chevy Traverse driven by 36-year-old Troy R. Howard, of Creston, was traveling west on Highway 34 at around 2:30-p.m., when a 2015 VW Jetta driven by 56-year-old Jans Visker, Jr., of Creston, pulled out in front of the Chevy in an attempt to turn left from Elm Street onto Highway 34.

The Chevy struck the VW on driver’s side. Visker complained of pain and was suspected of having minor/non-capacitating injuries. He was transported by EMS to the Greater Regional Medical Center, in Creston. Both driver’s were wearing their seat belts. No citations were issued.