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Norwalk mom charged with killing newborn pleads guilty to second-degree murder

News

July 4th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

A Norwalk mother accused of killing her newborn baby has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, a week before she was set to go to trial for first-degree murder. Megan Staude was arrested in March 2023 after she and her father, Rodney Staude, allegedly placed the baby in a trash bag and left it in a ditch the month before. Both were charged with first-degree murder.

Megan Staude’s trial was scheduled to start July 9, but on Wednesday, she entered a plea of guilty to second-degree murder. A status conference is scheduled for Aug. 26. Rodney Staude’s case is currently on hold while he undergoes a mental evaluation.

Libertarian Party nominates candidates in three of four congressional districts

News

July 4th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Libertarian Party candidates have been nominated in three of Iowa’s four congressional districts. Lone Tree City Councilman Nicholas Gluba is the Libertarian candidate in Iowa’s first district. Gluba, a U-S Marine Corps veteran, says Iowans are tired of U-S involvement in Ukraine and Israel. “I don’t want my children and my constituents’ children to have to fight in another war because I saw that first hand. Nobody else needs to ever see that again,” Gluba says. “…The United States has people here who need money that need the United States to be backing them and not backing foreign wars.”

Gluba says he’s running on a platform of accountable government, economic opportunity and personal freedom. “Libertarians, we come from a very, very wide base,” Gluba says. “If you are on your property or in your home, do what you need to do to make your life better, so long as it does not hurt anyone else.” Gluba is running in the district where Republican Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Davenport is seeking reelection and Christina Bohannan of Iowa City is the Democratic Party’s nominee.

Libertarian Marco Battaglia of Des Moines is the party’s candidate in the third congressional district. Battaglia says voters should have a choice beyond Republican Congressman Zach Nunn and Democrat Lanon Baccam.  “You know, there’s just a few glaringly red or blue issues that they would vote differently on,” Battaglia says, “but I think in terms of like, continuing to spend more and more money, they’re gonna vote, they’ve consistently voted the same.”

Battaglia says it’s time to cut spending on foreign conflicts in places like Ukraine and Israel and spend that money to solve domestic issues. “We basically have to get our own house and our own budget in order before we even consider sending money to other countries,” Battaglia says. Battaglia was the Libertarian Party’s nominee for lieutenant governor in 2022 and ran for attorney general in 2018.

The Libertarian Party has nominated Charles Aldrich of Clarion to run in the fourth district, where Republican Congressman Randy Feenstra is running for reelection and Democrat Ryan Melton of Nevada is running a second time. Aldrich, an enginer who served in the Marines for four years, ran for a U-S House seat in 2018 and ran for the U-S Senate in 2016. He ran for a seat in the state legislature in 2022.

John Deere Classic opens Thursday

Sports

July 3rd, 2024 by Asa Lucas

With an eight million dolar pursue the John Deere Classic opens Thursday in the Quad Cities. George McNeilly reports.

Cedar Rapids native and 2012 winner Zach Johnson hopes to be in the hunt this week.

Lucas Glover won in 2021 and feels confident when he shows up to the tournament.

High School Baseball Scores from Wednesday

Sports

July 3rd, 2024 by Asa Lucas

Hawkeye Ten
Glenwood 7, Atlantic 4
Creston 3, Shenandoah 0
Creston 7, St. Albert 6
Clarinda 2, Harlan 0
Red Oak 6, Nodaway Valley 1
Lewis Central 5, Kuemper Catholic 2

Western Iowa Conference
Council Bluffs Jefferson 7, Treynor 6
IKM/Manning 10, Ar-We-Va 0
Audubon 11, Glidden-Ralston 1

Raccoon River Conference
Boone 12, Newton 2
#9 Bondurant-Farrar 3, Carroll 0

Pride of Iowa Conference
Melcher-Dallas 8, Central Decatur 6

West Central Activities Conference
Panorama 8, Southwest Valley 1
ACGC 5, West Central Valley 2

High School Softball Scores from Wednesday

Sports

July 3rd, 2024 by Asa Lucas

Hawkeye Ten 

St. Albert 11, Red Oak 1
St. Albert 21, Red Oak 0
Creston 4, Shenandoah 0
Atlantic 2, Glenwood 1

Western Iowa Conference

#4 Audubon 9, Glidden-Ralston 2

Rolling Valley Conference

Nodaway Valley 4, CAM 0
Southeast Valley 13, Coon Rapids-Bayard 2

Corner Conference 

Riverside 6, #13 Griswold 5

Raccoon River Conference

#10 Winterset 7, Boone 3
#1 Valley 5, #10 Winterset 1
#11 Bondurant-Farrar 2, Newton 1
#9 Carlisle 3, #2 Dallas Center-Grimes 2

West Central Activities Conference 

#1 Van Meter 10, Madrid 0
#1 Van Meter 13, Madrid 0

Hawkeyes Fall in Island Cup Challenge

Sports

July 3rd, 2024 by Asa Lucas

HENLEY-ON-THAMES – The University of Iowa women’s rowing team fell to a strong Edinburgh University “B” boat, who posted the fastest time of the day in the Island Cup Challenge on Wednesday.

Tough conditions on the Thames did not make it an easy race for either boat, but the Hawkeyes fought Edinburgh until the very end. Iowa led EU through the barrier with a time of 2:09, which put them in the top three fastest crews during the first section of the race.

Iowa’s Quad will race Twickenham R.C. & Trentham B.C. on Thursday.  For more information on draws, race times, and live streaming: https://www.hrr.co.uk.

First held in 1839, the event has been held annually ever since, with the exception of the years affected by the two World Wars and the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally staged by the mayor and people of Henley as a public attraction with a fair and other amusements, the emphasis rapidly changed so that competitive amateur rowing became its main purpose. The Regatta took place on a single afternoon but proved so popular with oarsmen that the racing lasted for two days from 1840. Today, the regatta is staged for six days, ending on the first Sunday in July.

The Henley Royal Regatta is “the most prestigious regatta in the world,” according to its website. Races are held on the River Thames, one of London’s main attractions.

QUOTING HEAD COACH JEFF GARBUTT

“I’m extremely proud of how this group of women competed today on the water. They’ve done an incredible job of facing adversity this entire year and today was no different. Our nine women were aggressive and gutsy against a great boat. They represented the University of Iowa very well on this highly competitive stage.”

Trojan Softball wins a close one against Glenwood

Sports

July 3rd, 2024 by Asa Lucas

The Atlantic Trojan softball had a close 2-1 win against the Glenwood Rams on Wednesday night in Atlantic. From the start of the ball game both teams pitchers came to play. Riley Wood for Atlantic looked sharp only giving up 2 hits and clipping 2 strikeouts through the first 3 innings. Atlantic also had a slow start to the evening as the Trojans could only muster 2 hits in the first 2 innings. The Trojans finally found their momentum in the bottom of the 3rd with two outs as Lila Wiederstein hit a strong triple to get her to third. Zoey Kirchhoff had then a 1-2 count when she swung and hit the ball deep into left field over the fence for a 2-run homer making the game 2-0 for Atlantic. Glenwood had no response in the 4th or 5th innings as six straight batters were retired.

In the top of the 6th the Rams finally caught a break with a 3-error inning from Atlantic and a sac fly by Malynn Johnson to make the score 2-1. Atlantic’s next 3 batters were retired, and it all came down to the top of the 7th. The final three batters for Glenwood all grounded out and Atlantic claimed the 2-1 victory from a sharp throw to first from Zoey Kirchoff.

Atlantic’s 2-1 win came in part from an impressive night for Riley Wood who pitched 7 innings, had 1 earned run, 2 hits, 5 strikeouts, and 1 walk. Kirchoff also stood out for the Trojans going 2-2 at the plate with 2 RBI’s.

Atlantic head coach Terry Hinzmann liked the effort he saw from his ram throughout the night.

Coach Hinzmann noted that gritty wins are also good for a team when they know the post season is looming around the corner.

Atlantic improves to 24-12 with the win and play at home on Monday against Red Oak in a double-header. It’s an opportunity for the Trojans to develop more patience at the plate.

Glenwood drops to 19-8 with their loss and head to Missouri Valley on Monday.

CDC: Human bird flu case is tied to dairy cow outbreak

Ag/Outdoor, News

July 3rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – For 4th time in the United States, the CDC has identified a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a human being. Officials say that as with previous cases, the person is a worker on a dairy farm where cows tested positive for the virus.

The person reportedly only showed symptoms of the virus in their eyes, and after receiving treatment, has recovered.

Based on the information available, the CDC says the infection does change the health risk assessment for the U.S. general public in relation to HPAI. However, officials do say that the development underscores the importance of taking precautions when exposed to infected animals.

The CDC recommends:

  • People should avoid close, long, or unprotected exposures to sick or dead animals, including wild birds, poultry, other domesticated birds, and other wild or domesticated animals (including cows).
  • People should also avoid unprotected exposures to animal poop, bedding (litter), unpasteurized (“raw”) milk, or materials that have been touched by, or close to, birds or other animals with suspected or confirmed A(H5N1) virus.
  • Using personal protective equipment (PEE) to reduce a person’s and the overall public’s health risk.

More information on the virus and health recommendations can be found here.

Help stop aquatic hitchhikers this Fourth of July

Ag/Outdoor, News

July 3rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds all boaters and anglers to check for unwanted hitchhikers on their boats and equipment this Fourth of July to help protect Iowa lakes and streams. Aquatic invasive species move from one water body to another by hitchhiking on boats, in bait buckets and on other equipment used in the water. They can create serious problems for Iowa waters and negatively impact the quality of outdoor recreation experiences. Kim Bogenschutz, aquatic invasive species coordinator for the Iowa DNR, says “Aquatic invasive species can reduce native species and make lakes and rivers unusable for boaters, anglers and swimmers.”

These invasive species often grow quickly and spread fast when brought to another lake or stream due to a lack of natural predators or competitors. Boaters and anglers can help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species to new water bodies by cleaning, draining and drying their boats and equipment after each time on the water.

  • CLEAN any plants, animals, or mud from your boat and equipment before you leave a waterbody.
  • DRAIN water from all equipment (motor, live well, bilge, transom well, bait bucket) before you leave a waterbody.
  • DRY anything that comes into contact with water (boats, trailers, equipment, boots, clothing, dogs). Before you move to another waterbody either: Spray your boat and trailer with hot or high-pressure water; or Dry your boat and equipment for at least five days.
  • Never release plants, fish or animals into a water body unless they came out of that waterbody and always empty unwanted bait in the trash.

It is illegal to possess or transport aquatic invasive species or to transport any aquatic plants on water-related equipment in Iowa.  Signs posted at public accesses identify infested waters and remind boaters to stop aquatic hitchhikers. Iowa law also requires boaters to drain all water from boats and equipment before they leave a water access and to keep drain plugs removed or opened during transport. It is also illegal to introduce any live fish or plants, except for hooked bait, into public waters.

Learn more about aquatic invasive species, including a list of infested waters in the current Iowa Fishing Regulations or at www.iowadnr.gov/ais.

Interpreting ruling on testimony from children in Iowa courts

News

July 3rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Supreme Court has ruled it was unconstitutional to let two children testify remotely against an alleged abuser. The children were in the judge’s office and their testimony was shown in the courtroom, but four Iowa Supreme Court justices ruled that violated the defendant’s right to confront his accusers. Professor Emily Hughes teaches criminal law at the University of Iowa Law School. She says if the video connection had given the children a view of the defendant in the courtroom, the opinion MAY have been different.

“The opinion itself doesn’t say that a two-way video is sufficient,” Hughes says, “so the dissent points out it’s not exactly decided by the court whether a two-way video would suffice or whether the person has to be in the room with the defendant.”

In FEDERAL courts, judges have authority to let children testify in child abuse cases by one-way, closed circuit video. Hughes says the Iowa Supreme Court’s ruling makes clear their decision rests on the IOWA Constitution, not the U-S Constitution.”The Iowa Supreme Court has said that under Article I, Section 10 of the Iowa Constitution, which is what people kind of talk about as the ‘confrontation clause,’ that confrontation means face-to-face and face-to-face means that the defendant can see the witness and the witness is able to see the defendant,” Hughes says.

Iowa Judicial Branch Bldg.

“…They are the people who get to decide what the state constitution means and how to apply it, so that is a pretty powerful part of that opinion because the whole case rested on the Iowa Constitution.” State Senator Janet Petersen, a Democrat from Des Moines, says the ruling is outrageous and she may sponsor a bill to make it clear children could testify against an abuser via a two-way video connection. “I’ve been talking with civil rights attorneys and experts in child protection just to get their take on the ruling,” Petersen says, “just wanting to make sure that if we pursue legislation that would actually work with the current Supreme Court that Iowa has.”

Petersen says her concern is prosecutors may not be able to pursue some cases when the child is the only witness to the abuse. “Kids that feel unsafe testifying in front of their abuser who may not decide not to move forward with the (criminal) case, they’ll also be barred from the civil court room by their 19th birthday,” Petersen says. “Iowa has to address our horrible laws that protect predators and not children.”

Under current Iowa law, a lawsuit against an alleged abuser must be filed in civil court before the victim turns 19. An Illinois law passed in 2023 gives Illinois judges the discretion to let children under 13 testify outside the courtroom when warranted. Last year Colorado’s Supreme Court ruled prosecutors may use outside-the-courtroom testimony from older children, even if the defendant is accused of abuse or assault.