Public health officials on Monday reported two cases in Iowa of a new inflammatory disease in children associated with coronavirus infections. State Epidemiologist Dr. Caitlin Pedati said the state learned of two potential cases Friday in children in eastern Iowa. They are stable and state officials are working with local officials to learn more, she said. The condition was highlighted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week as a newly identified inflammatory syndrome in children.
Regulators declined to inspect an Iowa pork plant after receiving a complaint alleging insufficient efforts were being made to halt the spread of the coronavirus. One state senator says that decision failed workers and allowed an outbreak to grow. An April 11 complaint to the Iowa Occupational Safety and Health Administration says employees at the Tyson Foods plant in Perry, Iowa, worked “elbow to elbow” and that social distancing was near impossible. Records show Iowa OSHA waited nine days before contacting Tyson, which took eight days after that to respond. The agency described Tyson’s voluntary safety efforts as “satisfactory.” A week later, the state announced 730 workers tested positive.
The Chris Stapleton performance the Iowa State Fair on August 21, 2020 will be postponed to August 19, 2021. This announcement does not impact other concerts at the Fair. Word about whether the fair will be held is promised within the next three weeks. Meanwhile, comedian Jerry Seinfield’s June 24th Paramount Theatre performance has been postponed. The venue and tour management are working together to determine a new date.
Four more Iowans have died from COVID-19, the Iowa Department of Public Health reported Monday. A total of 355 Iowans have died from the virus to date. The total number of people testing positive for COVID-19 is nearing 15,000. With 304 new cases reported on Monday, the total count is now at 14,955.
We’ve told you about various Obama era officials looking to “unmask” Gen. Michael Flynn during the closing days of that administration…Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley released the identities of those officials after the information had already been leaked to the media, and he told me yesterday why–because the people’s business should be done in public. Grassley sent one of those letters to President Trump yesterday questioning why the State Department Inspector General was fired…you can hear the full interview with Sen. Grassley in the 9 o’clock hour of KXEL Live & Local today.
As businesses across the state are beginning to reopen, Goodwill of Central Iowa has announced plans to permanently close four retail stores as well as a career center. The nonprofit organization says it has permanently closed stores in Grinnell, Oskaloosa, Waukee and south Des Moines because of the financial hardship of restrictions imposed in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Goodwill has opened stores in Ames, Ankeny, Des Moines, Johnston, Indianola, Marshalltown, Ottumwa, Urbandale and two stores in West Des Moines. The organization also has closed the south Des Moines outlet and career connection center.
Iowans will cast ballots in the June 2nd primary election…Republicans in the fourth congressional district in north central and northwest Iowa have four candidates from which to choose, including longtime incumbent Steve King. Sen. Charles Grassley lives near New Hartford and will be casting a ballot in that race; I asked him yesterday if he is endorsing one of the candidates. He indicated he stated a year ago he would not make an endorsement, and has not changed his position. You can hear my full interview with Sen. Grassley today during the 9 o’clock hour of KXEL Live & Local; I’ll also speak live with Congressman King during the 10 o’clock hour of the program.
Police continue to investigate a Friday night shooting and robbery that led to the death of a Waterloo man. He’s been identified as 30-year-old Terrell Flowers. He arrived at UnityPoint-Allen Hospital with a gunshot wound just after 8:30 p.m. Friday and was pronounced dead a short time later. Police said Flowers was shot at 323 Crescent Place and was taken to the hospital in a private vehicle. Detectives have recovered firearms in connection with the investigation, and ballistics tests on the weapons are pending. No one has been charged with Flowers’ death, but police arrested one person for robbery in connection with the incident.
Police say a Waterloo woman made a bad situation worse Sunday. 29-year-old Melody McCullum was arrested following a disturbance and is accused of kicking a police officer. After being put in a squad car, she then is accused of offering the officer cash to let her go. That gained her an additional charge…McCullum is charged with bribery in addition to assault on a peace officer, interference, public intoxication and providing false identification information.
