New Report Ranks Iowa First for Binge Drinking
(Des Moines, IA) — Iowa has the highest binge drinking rate in the nation, according to a new report. Valley Spring Recovery Center analyzed data on excessive alcohol consumption and found that 22-and-a-half percent of Iowa adults reported binge drinking in 2023. North Dakota and Montana rounded out the top three, while Utah had the lowest rate in the country. The rankings are based on 2023 federal CDC health data on excessive alcohol consumption.
Report: Iowa Gaining Non-Farm Jobs, Gains Seen Outside of Largest Metro Areas
(Des Moines, IA) — A new report shows Iowa’s non-farm job gains this year have reversed last year’s losses. The Common Sense Institute reports Iowa has gained 78-hundred jobs in the first eight months of this year, compared to a 96-hundred jobs lost at this point in 2025. However, all eight of Iowa’s major metros lost jobs this year, meaning job gains have from outside the state’s largest cities. Despite this year’s increases, Iowa ranked 38th nationally for job growth in August, one spot higher than July.
Missing Des Moines Teen Found Safe in Virginia
(Stafford, VA) — A missing Des Moines teen has been found safe in Virginia. Police say 17-year-old Luz Haidee was last seen leaving her home with a 32-year-old man. Investigators later learned the two had met on TikTok. Within hours, investigators used license plate reader technology and cellular data analysis to locate Haiddee and the truck she was traveling in near Stafford, Virginia. Detectives worked with local law enforcement there to safely recover the teen. Police say arrangements are now being made to reunite the teen with her family.
Iowa Moving Ahead With Vape Product Registry
(Des Moines, IA) — Iowa is moving ahead with registration of vape products following an injunction being lifted. Now that an appeals court has dissolved a stay against state enforcement of the 2024 vape registry law, manufacturers wanting to sell vape products in Iowa will need to have them approved and listed in a state registry. Any store selling products not on the registry will face civil and maybe criminal penalties. The state hopes to have the first list published October 15th.
Ottumwa Man Faces Murder Charge After Victim Dies
(Ottumwa, IA) — An Ottumwa man is now facing a first-degree murder charge after the victim in a shooting last week died. Police say 19-year-old Donovan Wilson shot 19-year-old Cameron Downen at a trailer park in Ottumwa last Wednesday. Court documents say the two had agreed to meet and fight. Investigators say that when Downen arrived, Wilson attacked him through the car window before shooting him in the head. Downen was flown to Iowa City for treatment, but died Friday from his injuries.
