Send-Off Ceremony Today In Des Moines For Iowa National Guard Members Deploying To Europe
(Des Moines, IA ) — A send-off ceremony for about 80 Iowa National Guard soldiers is today in Des Moines. The soldiers are deploying to Europe for one year and will be based in Poland. They will support Operation Atlantic Resolve, assisting NATO allies stationed across the Baltic region.
>>Iowans Could Be Driving The Highest Rate Of Abortions In Nebraska Since 2008
(Lincoln, NE) — Iowans may be driving the highest rate of abortions in Nebraska since 2008. According to recent data from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, abortions increased eight-percent in 2025 over 2024. Abortions among Nebraska residents declined. The increase came from more out-of-state patients, especially from Iowa, where a six-week abortion ban took effect in 2024.
>>Archdiocese of Dubuque Reorganizing Parishes Into 24 Pastorates This Week
(Dubuque, IA) — A big change in many of Iowa’s Catholic Churches over the weekend. The Archdiocese of Dubuque is reorganizing its 160 parishes into 24 regional pastorates this week, including Ames, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, and Dubuque. The last Sunday masses at some affected churches were held this weekend. The new structure will group parishes together under pastorates, which will share pastoral leadership and weekend mass locations. The Archdiocese of Dubuque serves more than 180-thousand Catholics in 30 northeastern Iowa counties.
>>Population Growth Across Iowa Concentrated in Metro Areas in 2025
(Des Moines, IA) — Iowa gained about eight-thousand new residents in 2025, mostly in metro areas. A new study shows while most rural counties continued to lose population, those who moved there are more economically established. Ben Murrey of Common Sense Institute of Iowa says people who are mid-career and higher educated are moving to non-metro areas, while younger and lower-income people are moving to the metro. The study shows only Dallas, Warren, and Wayne Counties grew by more than one-percent last year.
>>Former Ankeny Teacher Back In Jail For Sexually Exploiting Student After Losing Appeal
(Ankeny, IA) — A former teacher and coach for the Ankeny Community School District is back in jail after losing her appeal. 36-year-old Rachel Whiteside had been free on bond during her appeal. She was booked into the Polk County Jail on Friday after being convicted of sexually exploiting a student. The exploitation began in 2015 when Whiteside was a 26-year-old teacher at Northview Middle School and softball coach for Ankeny Centennial High School. Investigators say the exploitation continued over an extended period of time.
>>Iowa Betting Volume Down 3% In June Compared To May
(Des Moines, IA) — Iowa’s betting volume in June compared to May dipped just three-percent, but sportsbook revenue dropped 21-percent or four-point-four-million dollars. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission says the state’s casinos and online betting companies kept almost eight-point-nine-percent of all money wagered in June. That means more money was kept by bettors than in May. Most operators came out ahead.
