Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds and four top Iowa officials cooperated in making a marketing video for a company that has received state contracts during the coronavirus response. The arrangement is between the state and Utah-based Domo Inc. The video for Domo features interviews with Reynolds, state medical director Caitlin Pedati, chief operations officer Paul Trombino and two others. The officials say their management of COVID-19 is a success story for Iowa and the company. Reynolds spokesperson Pat Garrett says Domo “wanted a testimonial on the success” of the Test Iowa program and the governor and others agreed to participate.
A former U.S. congressman for Northeast Iowa has announced he’s leaving the Republican Party following Wednesday’s assault on the Capitol. Former Rep. Jim Nussle announced on Twitter that he “will no longer claim I am a Republican,” expressing outrage over the rioting in which mobs stormed the U.S. Capitol and forced lawmakers to be rushed from the building. Nussle also wrote that he was devastated by the actions of “too many elected Republicans (some I know and served with) and supporters.” Nussle represented Iowa in Congress from 1991-2007. He lost Iowa’s 2006 gubernatorial race against Democrat Chet Culver.
The Iowa Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 data shows an increase of 2,058 confirmed cases of the virus from 10:00 a.m. yesterday to 10:00 a.m. today. Those new cases come from 5,614 new tests. The 24-hour positivity rate is 36.7%. 59 new deaths were reported over the last 24-hour stretch – with 4,124 Iowans now dead from COVID-19 during the pandemic. There are now 293,452 total cases confirmed in Iowa from 1,386,187 people tested for COVID-19.
A Coralville man has been arrested after breaking into the North Liberty Fire Department building and causing damage to property inside. Witnesses saw 30-year-old Robert Mlejnek break into the fire department just after midnight early last Sunday morning. He reportedly broke a window in a garage bay door before climbing into the building. While inside, officials said he caused an estimated $5,000 in damage to fire department property. Mlejnek told police he had been kicked out of a local bar and had a lot to drink. Police reported smelling a strong odor of alcohol on him, and that he had slurred speech and red watery eyes. Officials said Mlejnek was uncooperative with law enforcement, even kicking at them while he was taken into custody. Mlejnek has been charged with criminal mischief, interference with official acts and public intoxication.
