Author
COVID-19 infections and deaths on the rise in Iowa as vaccinations stall
The number of infections and deaths related to COVID-19 are on the rise again in Iowa, while the state’s vaccine distribution has slowed to the point where the governor expressed concern Thursday. Iowa reported 61 additional deaths and 2,478 new infections of the deadly virus on Wednesday, according to the New York Times’ COVID-19 tracker. […]
Piles of dead animals were found at Iowa zoo, according to court testimony
An investigator tasked with rescuing animals from the shuttered Cricket Hollow Zoo in Manchester testified Wednesday that she stumbled upon “piles” of dead animals when she launched an investigation there 13 months ago. The testimony came in the first day of a contempt-of-court trial of the zoo’s owners, Thomas and Pamela Sellner of Manchester. The […]
Judge: Trump’s order doesn’t shield Tyson from state-court claims of wrongful death
A federal judge has ruled that President Trump’s designation of meatpacking plants as “critical infrastructure” does not insulate Tyson Foods from state-court claims of wrongful death tied to the pandemic. The food giant is facing several lawsuits filed by the estates of deceased workers. Generally, those lawsuits allege fraudulent misrepresentation and gross negligence, claiming the […]
With 53,000 Iowans having received the vaccine, new infections rise almost 20%
Another 1,121 new cases of coronavirus were reported in Iowa on Sunday, according to the Washington Post. In the past week, the number of newly reported cases in Iowa has risen 19.8%, according to the Post’s data, while the number of deaths reported each day in Iowa has increased 31.8%. Iowa now ranks sixth in […]
Sioux City charity fires two school-program officials, alleging misuse of taxpayer dollars
Two administrators at a Sioux City charity were fired earlier this year after being accused of misspending federal grant money. State unemployment records indicate that in May, the Siouxland Human Investment Partnership, a tax-exempt charity that provides health and education services to citizens of Woodbury County, fired two of the organization’s directors in its Beyond […]
Another COVID-19 patient dies at troubled western Iowa nursing home
An Iowa nursing home that was the site of a coronavirus outbreak and at least seven deaths is facing another round of sanctions by state inspectors due to a resident death. The Oakland Manor nursing home in Pottawattamie County has been the site of at least 51 COVID-19 infections and seven resident deaths. State inspectors […]
Iowa reports 69 additional deaths and 1,757 new COVID-19 infections
Another 1,757 coronavirus infections were reported in Iowa on Thursday, along with 69 additional deaths. The data, from the Iowa Department of Public Health and the Washington Post’s COVID-19 tracker, shows that over the past week, there has been an average of 1,136 cases per day, a decrease of 34% from the average two weeks […]
Gun shows, other large events that were canceled due to the pandemic are resuming in Iowa
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the cancellation of hundreds of public events in Iowa during 2020, but Des Moines will still play host to a gun show this weekend. A Missouri corporation called Midwest Arms Collectors is sponsoring the three-day event, to be held at the Iowa Events Center’s Hy-Vee Hall Friday through Sunday. […]
High school girls’ coach fired after making overtures toward former student
A former girls’ soccer coach was fired from Des Moines East High School earlier this year after contacting a former student and asking whether she’d broken up with her boyfriend. State unemployment records indicate Oscar Meza of Des Moines was fired earlier this year from his job as a full-time campus monitor for East High […]
Iowa licensing board isn’t disclosing reason for alleging surgeon is incompetent
The Iowa Board of Medicine is not publicly disclosing its rationale for charging a Davenport surgeon with professional incompetence. The board is charging Dr. William E. Olson, 55, of Davenport, with professional incompetence. Rather than include a basic description of the allegations against Olson in its public statement of charges, the board has opted to […]
Iowans win (and lose) jobless benefits due to their employers’ pandemic response
A fast-food worker who resigned after his boss allegedly tried to keep the staff in the dark about a COVID-19 outbreak has successfully appealed the state’s decision to deny him unemployment benefits. State records indicate Terrance R. Hill quit his job as a full-time cook at a Hardee’s restaurant in late May. At that time, […]
Two state workers fired for expediting a former colleague’s jobless-benefits claim
Two state workers were fired this year for allegedly helping a former colleague collect unemployment benefits in the midst of an unprecedented surge in jobless claims. In an unusual twist, all three of the workers were then awarded unemployment benefits paid out by the same agency that fired them. State records show Bradley Butin of […]