TheRepublic.com - Des Moines News

Massive search underway for abducted teen in Iowa

Tue, 21 May 2013 19:42:05 -0400

DES MOINES, Iowa - A 15-year-old central Iowa girl who was abducted after getting off her school bus was still missing Tuesday, and authorities said a massive search was underway. Meanwhile, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation said the man who is suspected of taking her and another girl committed suicide.

Basu: Nuns demonstrate faith, discomfort Church...

Tue, 21 May 2013 11:17:44 -0400

By REKHA BASU - Recently opponents of deportations held a rally to commemorate the five-year anniversary of what they call an unjust immigration sweep of 389 people in a kosher meat-packing plant in Postville, Iowa.

Huge tornado hits Oklahoma City suburb, kills 51

Tue, 21 May 2013 02:15:54 -0400

MOORE, Oklahoma - A monstrous tornado at least a half-mile wide roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, flattening entire neighborhoods and destroying an elementary school with a direct blow as children and teachers huddled against winds up to 200 mph. At least 51 people were killed, including at least 20 children, and officials said the death toll was expected to rise.

Downtown Des Moines plaza gets new name

Mon, 20 May 2013 20:02:39 -0400

DES MOINES, Iowa - A plaza in downtown Des Moines is getting a new name more than 30 years after it opened.

Branstad says he's open to health care compromise

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:21:09 -0400

DES MOINES, Iowa - Gov. Terry Branstad said Monday he was prepared to consider accepting federal Medicaid expansion funding as part of a compromise health care plan for low-income Iowans.

Storms generate Iowa tornado damage, no injuries

Mon, 20 May 2013 11:31:19 -0400

DES MOINES, Iowa - A storm system carrying high wind, hail and Iowa's first tornadoes in nearly a year moved through the state Sunday, damaging some homes and knocking out power to thousands. No one was injured.

Wisconsin Gov. Walker to headline Iowa GOP event

Sun, 19 May 2013 19:40:28 -0400

DES MOINES, Iowa - Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker will visit Iowa this week to deliver a speech that may bolster speculation that he will run for president in 2016.

Des Moines schools hope fresh eyes aid learning

Sun, 19 May 2013 14:26:49 -0400

DES MOINES, Iowa - Raygun owner Mike Draper was wandering through the halls and classrooms of Roosevelt High School a few weeks ago, gathering information about the current state of local education.

Injured Iowa firefighter released from hospital

Sat, 18 May 2013 13:36:07 -0400

DES MOINES, Iowa - A Des Moines firefighter injured when he and others fell through a floor while fighting an apartment building fire has been released from the hospital.

Iowa lawmakers will return next week

Fri, 17 May 2013 18:15:30 -0400

DES MOINES, Iowa - Iowa legislators left for the weekend without taking up a compromise tax bill that would cut commercial property taxes.

Marine, dog reunited in surprise ceremony

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:07:27 -0400

DES MOINES, Iowa - When Marine Sgt. Ross Gundlach served as a dog handler in Afghanistan, he told the yellow lab who was his constant companion that he'd look her up when he returned home.

Teens to be tried as adults in Iowa carjacking

Fri, 17 May 2013 15:11:14 -0400

DES MOINES, Iowa - A judge has ruled two teenagers accused of severely beating a carjacking victim in Des Moines should be tried as adults.

Dog credited with saving Iowa couple from fire

Fri, 17 May 2013 08:09:04 -0400

CARLISLE, Iowa - A dog named Toby has been credited with saving an Iowa couple from a fire that damaged their home southeast of Des Moines.

KKK application taped to black Iowa pupil's locker

Fri, 17 May 2013 07:07:13 -0400

DES MOINES, Iowa - A Ku Klux Klan application form has been taped to the locker of a black student at a middle school in the Des Moines suburb of Urbandale.

Dozens to be honored at body donor service in Iowa

Fri, 17 May 2013 06:24:04 -0400

DES MOINES, Iowa - Des Moines University is honoring dozens of people who donated their bodies in the last year for medical education.

Authorities practice decontamination drill in Iowa

Thu, 16 May 2013 05:10:02 -0400

DES MOINES, Iowa - Authorities in central Iowa are practicing decontamination procedures in case of a bioterrorism threat or industrial contamination event.

Des Moines police investigating backward crash

Wed, 15 May 2013 20:00:53 -0400

DES MOINES, Iowa - Des Moines police say a woman slammed her car into a utility pole after driving backward for several blocks.

Kan. prison officials charge doctor's killer

Wed, 15 May 2013 16:58:15 -0400

WICHITA, Kansas - The man convicted of killing one of the nation's few late-term abortion providers is now accused of trying to intimidate the woman who reopened his shuttered clinic, prison officials said.

Kan. prison officials charge doctor's killer

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:47:39 -0400

WICHITA, Kansas - Prison officials have accused the convicted killer of abortion provider George Tiller with trying to intimidate the woman who reopened his shuttered Wichita clinic.

Des Moines metro area police hold weapons turn-in

Wed, 15 May 2013 05:35:25 -0400

DES MOINES, Iowa - Police in the Des Moines area will hold voluntary weapon turn-in events at sites around the metro area.

Iowa shelters scrambling amid state funding cut

Tue, 14 May 2013 16:11:14 -0400

DES MOINES, Iowa - Domestic abuse shelters throughout Iowa are looking for new sources of money to keep operating after losing government funding they rely on.

Public hearings set on governor's health care plan

Tue, 14 May 2013 14:35:02 -0400

DES MOINES, Iowa - The Iowa Department of Human Services will hold four public hearings on the governor's proposed health care plan in cities across the state in June.

Iowa economic development boss defends expenses

Tue, 14 May 2013 12:24:15 -0400

SIOUX CITY, Iowa - The director of Iowa's Economic Development Authority is defending her substantial travel spending, saying it's necessary to promote the state.

Basu A wise graduate commends trying hard

Tue, 14 May 2013 09:47:45 -0400

By REHKA BASU - The Des Moines Area Community College commencement was a snapshot of diverse lives intersecting on the path of learning. Collecting their diplomas in early May were kids who looked to be barely out of middle school and white-bearded adults who could have been their grandparents. They had names as native as Todd Young and as unfamiliar as Hidajete Suljejmani. One could only guess at the efforts that went into earning some of those degrees.

Bus inspection reforms stall in Iowa legislature

Sun, 12 May 2013 18:08:17 -0400

DES MOINES, Iowa - Most Iowa lawmakers agree that changes need to be made to the state's system for inspecting school buses, but it's unlikely a bill will pass this year because they can't agree on what should be done.