Author: Nick Green

A 27-year-old man who pleaded guilty three months ago to a federal hate crime was sentenced Thursday. Prosecutors say the defendant was sentenced to 16 years in prison for stabbing a Black man in the neck on Dec. 19, 2019. He stabbed a complete stranger because, in his words, the victim ‘was Black, and he doesn’t like Black people.’ The defendant was also sentenced to five years of supervised release. Prosecutors said that he targeted his 50-year-old victim solely because of the color of his skin. Civil Rights Division Assistant Attorney General Clarke said: “This defendant, Nolan Levi Strauss, is being held accountable…

Des Moines, IOWA – According to the court documents, his name is Joseph Hansen and he was charged in May with possessing 5 or more grams of methamphetamine with intent to deliver. Officials say that the 40-year-old defendant was in possession of more than 850 grams of meth. Prosecutors say the defendant pleaded guilty in August and was sentenced Aug. 25 to 50 years in prison, of which he must serve at least a third in prison before being eligible for parole. Prosecutors say that both charges will run consecutive to his sentence in the drug case, for a total maximum of…

Davenport, IOWA – According to the statement, the statewide Traffic Fatality Reduction Task Force effort will be happening Thursday, Sept. 16. Officials say that 1,497 drivers were cited for speeds that exceeded 100 mph. Violations increased 108% compared to the four-year average. The Iowa State Patrol released the following statement: “Since the start of the pandemic, Iowa has seen a significant increase in drivers greatly exceeding the speed limit, putting everyone on the road in danger. Recent data released from the Iowa State Patrol, tracking speeding violations from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2020, shows a 74 percent increase in…

Cedar Rapids, IOWA – According to the statement, Cedar Rapids Community School District Superintendent Bush said masks will be required again starting Wednesday. They say this decision comes after an Iowa judge temporarily halted enforcement of the state’s mask mandate ban on Monday. Superintendent Bush said the mask mandate will be in place during the school day, but masks will be recommended, rather than required, for educational activities beyond the school day. This story will be updated as new information become available. 

Davenport, IOWA – According to the statement, this program is expecting to award 39 different grants at a total of $97.5 million. Officials say that the money is intended to provide capital funds for projects that expand broadband availability or speeds. Office of the Chief Information Officer received 178 applications from broadband providers with requests nearing $300 million. Iowa plans to offer anohter round of grants, using funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. Governor Reynolds said: “Expanding broadband across our state continues to be a top priority. It is clear by the sheer volume and scope of applications that the need is there. Today’s award announcement will go a long…

A little boy seems unrecognizable to family members as he lies in a coma after a terrible accident that took place in his school playground. The 6-year-old boy had stepped out of his classroom for recess and was in the playground on Friday. At the same time, somebody on the other side of the fence was mowing a lawn. Out of nowhere, a piece of rebar flew out from underneath the lawnmower and landed right on the boy’s head with great force. “It went through the chain link fence. And he happened to be bending down,” the boy’s aunt and godmother, Michelle…

According to the police officials, 37-year-old mother is accused of fatally shooting her 12-year-old son over the weekend after becoming angry over a missing memory card. Prosecutors say the mom was charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of her son. Police say the mother confronted the 12-year-old boy about 10:15 a.m. Saturday about the whereabouts of a digital memory card she had removed from her vehicle the previous night. After the boy, Kaden Ingram, was unable to produce the memory card when, his mother, Fallon Harris, demanded it at gunpoint, she shot him. A witness found the boy unresponsive with a gunshot…

Des Moines, IOWA – According to the statement, Des Moines Public Schools will require all staff, visitors and students to wear masks in the district’s schools starting Wednesday, Sept. 15. Officials say that the DMPS is the first school district in the state to reimpose a mask mandate after the court ruling Monday. Superintendent Ahart released the following statement: “The court’s decision to set aside Iowa’s ban on school districts being able to protect children in our care is welcome news. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to surge in Iowa, our families and staff have expressed their concerns about schools not…