Former Des Moines Schools Superintendent Expected To Take Plea Deal
(Des Moines, IA) — Filings show the former Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent will enter a plea deal in his federal case. Ian Roberts was arrested last fall while allegedly trying to flee from ICE. He’s originally from Guyana. Prosecutors say some of Roberts’ credentials were falsified and he lied about his immigration status to get the superintendent job. He was also charged with illegally possessing guns.
Eminent Domain Bill Passes House Judiciary Committee Vote
(Des Moines, IA) — A bill to ban eminent domain by companies for pipelines is advancing through the House. The House Judiciary Committee passed the measure in a 19-2 vote on Wednesday. It’s the second step in the legislature’s third day in session. The measure could be approved by the State House as early as next week.
Iowa Community Colleges Ask For Money To Offer Bachelor’s Degrees
(Des Moines, IA) — Iowa community colleges are asking for 20-million dollars to start offering four-year degrees. Community Colleges for Iowa says the need is undeniable. Around 42-percent of Iowa jobs currently require a bachelor’s degree but only 22-percent of Iowans have one. The requested 20-million is expected to satisfy program funding requirements for the next five years. The president of Iowa Central Community College says they could offer bachelor degrees without the funding but it would be at a much slower pace.
Iowa State Fair Announces Next Grandstand Acts
(Des Moines, IA) — The Iowa State Fair is announcing two new Grandstand acts for 2026. Country music singer Hardy will be joined by McCoy Moore to kick off the fair on August 13th. Country music singer Josiah Queen will be the closer on August 23rd. Queen will be joined by Ben Fuller on the stage. The fair already announced headline acts Rod Stewart on August 14th and Lainey Wilson on August 16th last month.
Polk County Preparing For Hazardous Weather On Friday
(Polk Count, IA) — Polk County officials are activating their extreme temperature plan on Friday. The National Weather Service is warning of high winds, snow and extended low temperatures through at least Tuesday. The extreme temperature plan will be activated on 6:00 p.m. on Friday. The plan is activated when temperatures reach ten degrees with the wind chill for three days and when the temperature reaches zero degrees with the wind chill. Six warming centers will be open in Des Moines at several libraries and the Northwest Community Center.
