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Supervisor fired after ISU worker collects pay for unworked hours
An Iowa State University supervisor was fired earlier this summer after it was discovered that an employee was collecting wages without showing up for work. State records indicate Todd P. Kelley began working for the university in July 2020 and was most recently employed there as a manager of facility maintenance. He was fired in […]
Nurse claims care facility wanted her to falsify records, violate state regulations
A nurse who resigned from an Iowa care facility, which has been cited in multiple deaths, testified at a hearing recently that she was instructed to falsify medical records and have unqualified aides administer medications to residents. The testimony of Teressa A. Hansen came during a Sept. 13 hearing on her request for unemployment benefits. […]
State agency accused of disability discrimination in firing longtime employee
A fired employee of Iowa Workforce Development is suing the state agency for alleged disability discrimination related to the health risks she faces from COVID-19. IWD is the state agency dedicated to helping Iowans with disabilities find and maintain employment. In her lawsuit against the agency, Kirstin Born of Polk County states that she began […]
Roofing company loses court fight over unpaid employment taxes
An Iowa roofing company has lost its legal battle to avoid paying employment taxes by classifying its workers as independent contractors. The company had argued that because it doesn’t treat its workers as employees – requiring them to use their own cars and tools while denying them training and benefits – it was not liable […]
How one man’s actions led to proposed new limits on public-records access
A Navy veteran who says he has PTSD is the man responsible for triggering proposed new restrictions on Iowans’ access to government documents. The individual, Michael J. Merritt of Newton, calls himself “Cipher Hunter” and describes himself as a “creative writer/musician and information warfare specialist.” In the lengthy, stream-of-consciousness missives he has sent to public […]
Fire captain fired for Facebook post about subordinate’s interest in ‘gay porn’
A captain with the Des Moines Fire Department was terminated from his job this summer after posting Facebook comments suggesting a co-worker had an interest in gay pornography. State records indicate David Bernal last worked for the city on June 16, 2023, when he was fired. He had worked for the Fire Department for more […]
Chiropractor accused of sexual improprieties faces new charges
A central Iowa chiropractor who has been accused of sexual impropriety with patients on three separate occasions is facing new charges from state regulators. In March 2023, the Iowa Board of Chiropractic charged Stuart Hoven of Winterset with unethical conduct for behavior that includes engaging in a sexual or emotional relationship with a former patient; […]
Restaurant inspection update: Gnats floating in tequila, sauce with ‘moldy fuzz’
State, city and county food inspectors have cited Iowa restaurants and stores for hundreds of food-safety violations during the past four weeks, including moldy food, expired milk and gnats floating in the liquor. One Des Moines eatery agreed to voluntarily close in order repair a cooler that was keeping food at 60 degrees and to […]
State-run Glenwood home for the disabled is cited again for violations
For the seventh time in the past 19 months, a state-run home for the disabled is facing fines for inadequate care. Two of seven violations cited by inspectors have involved the death of residents. According to inspection reports from the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing, a worker at the Glenwood Resource Center for […]
Hunters convicted of conspiracy sue TV station’s owner for defamation
A former Ankeny couple convicted of a federal crime related to trafficking in wildlife is suing the owner of a Des Moines television station for its reporting of the case. According to federal court records and the office of U.S. Attorney Steven Russell, Josh T. Bowmar, Sarah E. Bowmar and their company, Bowmar Bowhunting, were […]
Iowa doctor who fights COVID-19 vaccine and mask mandates sues hospital
An Iowa physician who has been critical of mask mandates and the COVID-19 vaccine is now suing a Missouri hospital over its staff-vaccination requirements. Dr. Mollie James of Chariton is suing Mercy ACO Clinical Services, Mercy Health and Mercy Health East Communities in the Circuit Court of St. Louis County, Missouri. Her lawsuit seeks unspecified […]
Proposed bill would block ‘vexatious’ citizens from accessing public records
The Iowa Public Information Board is considering legislation that would enable government agencies to ignore, for up to one year, any public-records requests made by “vexatious requesters.” The board’s legislative committee met Friday to discuss draft legislation aimed at addressing what the board’s executive director called “excessive and abusive” requests for documents maintained by public […]