Latest News from Hawkeye Reporter

Former Olin man sentenced to 40 years for child sexual exploitation

By M. L. Duckworth | Sep 24, 2025

Christopher West, a 38-year-old former resident of Olin, Iowa, was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison on September 23, 2025, for sexually exploiting children.

Grassley joins bipartisan call for phosphate addition to critical minerals list

By R. M. Machado | Sep 24, 2025

U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), along with Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Representative Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), and 65 other lawmakers, has called on U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to add phosphate to the U.S. Critical Minerals...

Sioux City man sentenced for role in cartel-linked drug distribution

By R. K. Blankenship | Sep 24, 2025

A Sioux City man, Freddie Summerville, 56, was sentenced to 340 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, as well as possession of a firearm during and in furtherance of drug trafficking.

Cedar Rapids woman pleads guilty to meth trafficking conspiracy

By F. L. Murphy | Sep 24, 2025

A Cedar Rapids woman has pleaded guilty in federal court to participating in a drug-trafficking conspiracy involving methamphetamine.

Dubuque man pleads guilty to distribution of child pornography

By R. K. Blankenship | Sep 24, 2025

A Dubuque man has pleaded guilty in federal court to distributing child pornography.

Grassley urges DOJ and ATF to stop alleged retaliation against whistleblower

By Y. P. Silverman | Sep 24, 2025

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) has urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to end what he describes as ongoing retaliation against whistleblower Afolabi...

2025: Measles cases in Iowa up as of week ending Sept. 13

By D. E. Ruiz | Sep 23, 2025

Latest CDC data shows measles cases in Iowa for 2025 are now estimated within the range of 1-9, marking no change compared to the previous figures updated as of week ending Sept. 6.

Grassley urges end to DHS work permits for foreign students citing jobs, security risks

By R. M. Machado | Sep 23, 2025

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) has sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, urging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to stop issuing work authorizations to student visa holders.

Grassley’s Capitol Hill Report discusses shutdowns, Farm Bill, trade with China, and Gaza talks

By E. H. Little | Sep 23, 2025

Senator Chuck Grassley has released his weekly Capitol Hill Report, covering several current legislative topics.

Man sentenced to federal prison for illegal reentry in Iowa

By F. L. Murphy | Sep 23, 2025

An individual identified as Angel Aranda-Vazquez, a 37-year-old citizen of Mexico, has been sentenced to 168 days in federal prison for reentering the United States illegally.

Cedar Rapids man sentenced for selling fentanyl near elementary school

By M. L. Duckworth | Sep 22, 2025

A Cedar Rapids man has been sentenced to more than 11 years in federal prison for distributing fentanyl near an elementary school.

Iowa farmer pleads guilty to COVID-19 subsidy fraud and stalking charges

By M. L. Duckworth | Sep 22, 2025

An Iowa farmer has pleaded guilty to multiple federal charges after admitting to defrauding the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) out of more than $1.5 million in pandemic-related subsidies, stealing identities, and stalking a victim...

Iowa DOT announces ramp closure on U.S. 169 for resurfacing

By R. K. Blankenship | Sep 21, 2025

Crews from the Iowa Department of Transportation's Fort Dodge maintenance garage will close the northbound U.S. 169 ramp to 2nd Avenue South in Fort Dodge on Tuesday, Sept. 23.

Public invited to discuss U.S. 30 intersection improvements in State Center

By F. L. Murphy | Sep 21, 2025

The Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) is seeking public input on proposed improvements at the intersection of U.S. 30 and Durham Avenue/3rd Avenue SW in State Center, Marshall County.

U.S. 59 closure near Shenandoah set for Sept. 22

By M. L. Duckworth | Sep 21, 2025

Contractors will close a section of U.S. 59 south of Shenandoah on Monday, Sept. 22, weather permitting, to facilitate the movement of a crane across the road.

Iowa DOT announces I-80 nighttime closures for paving work

By M. L. Duckworth | Sep 21, 2025

The Iowa Department of Transportation has announced nighttime closures for eastbound Interstate 80 between Grand Prairie Parkway (exit 118) and Jordan Creek Parkway (exit 121).

Iowa DOT launches new public engagement platform PublicInput.com

By R. K. Blankenship | Sep 20, 2025

The Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) has introduced a new public engagement platform, PublicInput.com, to enhance its interaction with citizens regarding transportation projects.

Iowa 3 road closure set for September 22 due to construction

By M. L. Duckworth | Sep 20, 2025

Iowa 3, a highway between Boy Scout Road and Sageville west of Dubuque, is set to close for construction starting Monday, September 22.

Iowa Highway 9 reopens with temporary lane closures expected

By F. L. Murphy | Sep 20, 2025

Iowa Highway 9 in Dickinson County has reopened to traffic, as confirmed by the Iowa Department of Transportation’s District 3 office.

How many seasonal agricultural visas were requested by Iowa employers during 2024?

By L. K. Wheeler | Sep 18, 2025

In 2024, 2,638 H-2A petitions were filed by employers located in Iowa, according to data provided by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services via the H-2A Employer Data Hub.

Hawkeye Reporter

Latest News