Iowa is reporting 47 additional deaths from COVID-19, the highest single-day toll yet. Deaths reported on an individual day can be affected by delays in completion of death certificates and other factors, but the data from the state Department of Public Health on Wednesday makes clear Iowa is continuing to see an increase in deaths from the virus. Johns Hopkins University says the seven-day rolling average of daily deaths in Iowa has risen over the past two weeks from nearly 16 deaths per day on Nov. 10 to 28 deaths per day on Nov. 24. In the month of November alone, 555 people in Iowa have died of COVID-19. The state data shows 3,365 additional positive cases were reported in the past 24 hours.
A University of Iowa fraternity has been suspended for hazing, with a report citing verbal abuse and an incident where new members were required to drink dangerously high amounts of alcohol. The university says the violations were by the Acacia Fraternity. The suspension lasts through 2024. One allegation said that in the spring semester, new members were ordered to stay in the fraternity house attic until they consumed alcohol that included 60 to 90 cans of beer, along with vodka and a gallon of a drink called Jungle Juice. Several new members got sick.
Church officials say a Roman Catholic professor will return to teaching and the ministry, with restrictions, after an inquiry found he misbehaved sexually in the 1990s but not against minors. A Diocese of Des Moines investigation found that the allegations against the Rev. Robert “Bud” Grant did not involve a minor because the complainant was “above majority age” at the time. The diocese says Grant engaged in behavior in the early 1990s that violated the 6th Commandment ban on adultery and his priestly promises. Grant is expected to return to teaching at St. Ambrose University in Davenport in the spring.
All final results from a recount in the 2nd Congressional District race are not expected until Monday. This comes after the Scott County Board of Supervisors decided to delay the county’s canvass until then. Monday is the same day the Iowa Secretary of State is expected to certify all results from the November 3 election. Yesterday, Johnson County wrapped up its recount. According to Auditor Travis Weipert, a canvass is expected today. Weipert said Democrat Rita Hart picked up five more votes and Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks added two more votes, for a net hart gain of three votes. According to the state, Miller-Meeks now has a razor thin lead of 35 votes, in one of the closest races in the nation. A recount is still happening in Clinton County as well. Auditor Eric Van Lancker said the recount board is meeting again on Saturday and should be able to finish its recount then. A county canvass is expected on Monday.
