CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – The Iowa Democratic Party announced a date for in-person caucuses in 2024, after the party’s national leaders stripped the state of its first-in-the-nation status. The state party said it had approved January 15, 2024, as the precinct caucus date in the 2024 election cycle, following a meeting by the party’s central committee on Saturday. The purpose of the in-person caucuses is to conduct party business. State Democrats plan to hold a mail-in caucus instead of the traditional in-person meetings for presidential preference. According to Iowa Code, the caucuses also have to be held at least eight days earlier than any other state’s first vote. But it doesn’t specify any consequences if Iowa doesn’t go first. The date is the same chosen by the Republican Party of Iowa for its caucus.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Iowa City Police have arrested a 47-year-old Cedar Rapids man after he tried to meet with two underage girls. Officials say that Trent Buenzow traveled to Mercer Park to meet with two females that he believed to be under the age of 16. Buenzow had been in communication with the person about meeting and performing sexual acts. He allegedly sent sexually explicit photos of himself to the underaged persons. When police stopped Buenzow in the park they found two condoms on him. He then admitted to driving to the location to meet the two women. Buenzow was charged with 2 counts of Enticing a Minor Under 16 – Sexual Purpose.
DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) – With help from the public, the Iowa State University Police Department says they have identified the individual investigators believe vandalized multiple law enforcement vehicles during the Cy-Hawk game. Officials say a combined 15 vehicles that belong to the Iowa State Patrol and Story County Sheriff’s Office were damaged during the September 9th game. Investigators shared photos on social media that generated several tips in the case. 25-year-old Giada Morressi was charged with 8 counts of Criminal Mischief in the First Degree and 7 counts of Criminal Mischief in the 2nd Degree.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Time is ticking for the Cedar Rapids Community School District (CRCSD). In August, the School Board put forward a $220 million bond referendum to redesign, replace, and renovate the district’s middle and high schools. Now, the “Vote Yes to Invest” committee has until September 22 to collect a total of about 6,400 signatures to put the referendum on the ballot this November. About ten volunteers, including the superintendent and several school board members, spent their Saturday morning knocking on doors and taking down names. The district has had an about six-and-a-half week window to get those 6,400 signatures, and the deadline is less than a week. Organizers did not share how many signatures they already had. Final signature-collecting events will be Monday, 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Kennedy, Jefferson, and Washington High Schools.
