Suspect In Murder Of Iowa Realtor Released From Jail On New Bond
(Adel, IA) — The suspect in the 15-year-old murder of an Iowa realtor has bonded out of jail. Kristin Ramsey posted 50-thousand dollars in cash after a judge lowered her bond from two-million to 500-thousand dollars. The 53-year-old Woodward resident is charged in connection with the 2011 murder of Ashley Okland, who was shot to death during an open house in West Des Moines. Ramsey is barred from having access to any firearms and is on house arrest. She will also have to wear a GPS tracking device and have a curfew. She was arrested in March and indicted on a charge of murder by a Dallas County Grand Jury. Okland’s murder has national attention and changed the way realtors show properties.
Iowa Board Of Regents Proposing Policy Changes
(Undated) — The Iowa Board of Regents is considering some changes to its policies ahead of annual meetings next week. One is a moratorium on any construction of new academic facilities for three years. Another is introduction of an optional tuition guarantee program. Resident undergrads could pay an upfront fee to receive up to four years of a guaranteed tuition rate. The building moratorium would free up funds for maintenance on existing structures.
Iowa’s Population Growth Slows In 2025
(Undated) — Iowa’s population growth is slowing. A new report from the Common Sense Institute Iowa shows the state gained nearly eight-thousand new residents last year. But it fell below the five-year average. Nearly a thousand Iowa residents moved to other states, foreign migration fell by half, and net births went down. CSI says the declines can reduce economic activity by hundreds of millions of dollars.
USA Curling Competition Coming to West Des Moines
(West Des Moines, IA) — The National Curling Competition is coming to West Des Moines next year. USA Curling announced the 2027 Men’s and Women’s Championships will be held at the MidAmerican Energy RecPlex. USA Curling CEO Dean Gemmell says there’s a lot of enthusiasm for the sport in Des Moines and across Iowa. He adds the competition will feature Olympians and other athletes that fans will enjoy. The event will be held January 24th through the 30th, 2027.
Iowa’s Annual Contest To Find It’s Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin Returns
(Undated) — What is arguably Iowa’s most mouth-watering contest is back. The annual quest to find the best breaded pork tenderloin sandwich in the state is underway. The Iowa Pork Producers Association is accepting nominations on their website until June 1st. Judges will sample sandwiches at the 40 most recommended locations for taste, quality, physical characteristics, presentation and experience. The top five will be announced in October. Last year’s winner was Hometown Heroes in Grinnell.
