Iowa Federal Student Loan Debt Totals $13.5 Billion
(Des Moines, IA) — As students head back to campus this week, we’re learning student debt is growing. According to Department of Education data, nearly half a million Iowans have outstanding federal student loans. The average balance is 31-thousand dollars. Collectively, Iowans owe 13-and-a-half billion dollars in federal student loans. In Iowa, the debt balance rose about three-point-four percent in the last five years. The average federal student loan balance in Iowa is 19-point-six percent below the national average.
Grinnell, Coe Colleges Rank High In “Best Of” List Of Colleges
(Grinnell, IA) — Grinnell College and Coe College are receiving high marks across several categories ranking the best colleges in the country. The Princeton Review surveyed 172-thousand students from nearly 400 colleges nationwide about campus life, academics, social life and more for the annual Best 392 Colleges book. Grinnell ranked 17th for best classroom experience and 25th for great financial aid. Coe checks in as the 18th best run college in the country and 16th overall for best career services.
Report: Iowa State Fair Generated Nearly $200 Million In Estimated GDP
(Des Moines, IA) — A new report shows this year’s Iowa State Fair generated nearly 200-million dollars in estimated economic impact. The Common Sense Institute study is based on food, merchandise and alcohol sales, state and local taxes and tourism spending. The report estimates the 11-day run of the state fair contributed 104-million-dollars in personal income through fair-related activity and 74-million in tourism spending. More than one-point-two-million people attended the state fair this year, ranking Iowa third in the nation in total state fair attendance.
Man Wanted Since 2020 on Child Sexual Abuse Charges Taken Into Custody
(Des Moines, IA) — A Des Moines man who had been wanted by police for six years is now in custody. Police say 48-year-old Jermaine Patton had been wanted since 2020 on felony charges stemming from allegations that he sexually abused a child over more than a decade. Over the years, investigators received tips suggesting Patton may have fled as far as Arizona. Police say detectives used cell phone data and license plate reader technology to track him to a home on Des Moines’ south side, where he surrendered last week without incident. Patton is now being held in the Polk County Jail.
Polk County Board Of Supervisors Approves Cold Case Unit Funding
(Des Moines, IA) — A new Cold Case unit is coming to the Polk County Sheriff’s Department. On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a resolution to fund five specialists. They will be dedicated to investigating unsolved homicides and other major cases. Polk County Supervisor Mark Holm believes this could provide hope for families waiting decades for answers. The board approved nearly 90-thousand dollars in funding to create the positions for fiscal year 2026-27.
