From the Associated Press:
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The first black chair of Iowa’s Democratic Party says he received a series of racist messages, including a lynching threat, after writing a newspaper op-ed criticizing former President Donald Trump and the state Republican officials who stood with him at a recent rally in Des Moines. Ross Wilburn reported the threatening phone and email messages to police. The messages came after The Des Moines Register published Wilburn’s op-ed on Oct. 8, the day before thousands of Trump supporters gathered for the rally. Several carried Confederate flags. A group that monitors threats says Wilburn’s experience is part of an uptick in racist and intimidating communications aimed at black leaders.
NEWTON, Iowa (AP) — A plant closing in the central Iowa town of Newton will mean the loss of more than 700 jobs. TPI Composites makes wind blade turbines for wind energy. Several media reports cite a notice on the state workforce development website saying the plant will lay off 710 workers by Dec. 31. The Des Moines Register has reported that TPI supplied wind turbine blades to General Electric. TPI previously warned of not having business lined up for next year, blaming various economic factors. TPI is among the largest employers in Jasper County.
HAZLETON, Iowa (AP) — An investigation continues after an eastern Iowa accident that killed two people. The accident happened Monday afternoon near Hazleton in Buchanan County. The Iowa State Patrol said a 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis driven by 40-year-old Nicholas Johnson of Oelwein apparently crossed the center line and struck a 2006 Toyota Sienna driven by 70-year-old John Friend of Davenport. Friend and Johnson died in the accident, and a third person was flown by air ambulance to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. A third vehicle was struck by debris from the crash.
TRAER, Iowa (AP) — Authorities in Tama County say a $17,000 reward is now being offered to help solve a deadly shooting in June. KCCI-TV reports that the killing of 42-year-old Ryan Cooper remains unsolved. He was found shot to death inside his home in the small town of Traer. An autopsy determined the death was caused by violence. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Tama County Sheriff’s Office.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Dozens of Iowa National Guard members are being deployed to help resettle Afghan refugees. The Sioux City Journal reported Tuesday that about 30 members of the 185th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City are being deployed. About 35 others are from the 132nd Wing in Des Moines. The Iowa members will be assigned to an undisclosed location in the U.S. to assist with Operation Allies Welcome, an effort to bring U.S. citizens home from Afghanistan and to resettle vulnerable Afghan refugees. The Iowa National Guard said guard members will deploy for roughly 60 to 90 days starting next month.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa City police are investigating after officers found a 20-year-old man with a gunshot wound after a traffic crash. Police said they were called to a crash Sunday evening on Highway 6. A car had left the road and run into a median near an intersection. The man is in critical condition after being taken to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. No further information has been released.
