Former Bondurant Principal Resigns After District Says She Was Under The Influence At Work
(Bondurant, IA) — An elementary school principal in the Bondurant-Farrar school district has resigned, after the school says she was under the influence on school grounds. Carrie Ratliff was the principal at Morris Elementary. The Superintendent says the District accepted Ratliff’s resignation on March 30th. Kevin VanderLinden has been named Interim Principal.
Second IPERS Executive On Leave Following Misconduct Allegations
(Des Moines, IA) — A second senior executive at Iowa’s largest retirement plan has been placed on leave on allegations of misconduct. Steven Herbert has been the Chief Benefits Officer at the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System since March 2025. The governor’s office confirmed CEO Greg Samorajski was put on leave on Wednesday. It’s unknown if the investigations are connected. The IPERS fund is valued at more than 45-billion dollars, and serves 400-thousand retirees.
Lawmakers Advance Bill To Up Default Speed Limit
(Des Moines, IA ) — The Iowa House has advanced a plan that could change the state’s default speed limit. Lawmakers passed a bill to up the standard speed on most two-lane highways from 55 to 60 miles per hour, unless otherwise posted. Other speed limits-like those in school zones or on interstates-will stay the same. Speeding fines and penalties are not changing. The bill now goes to the Senate.
Explosive Materials Will Be Temporarily Stored Underground At Southern Iowa Ammunitions Plant
(Middletown, IA) — The Iowa Army Ammunition Plant says they’re taking extra steps to safely store hazardous materials after abruptly closing the plant and evacuating workers last month for safety reasons. The Middletown plant in far Southeast Iowa will store explosive lead azide [[ AY-zyd ]] in earth-covered specialized explosive containers. They’re applying for a permit through the EPA for storage permits. The plant re-opened on Monday.
Catholic Parishes Across Iowa Seeing Increase in Attendance, Converts
(Undated) — Catholic parishes across Iowa are seeing a surge of new converts. John Gaffney with the Diocese of Des Moines says the increase in attendance in Iowa parishes follows a national trend of young adults joining the Catholic Church. The parishes are seeing new converts and attendees year round, not just during seasonal events like Ash Wednesday and Holy Week. Gaffney says they’re seeing an uptick in young adults, particularly young men, who are interested in the Catholic Church’s rituals and long-standing tradition.
