WATERLOO, Iowa (KCRG) – John Deere announced more layoffs on Monday. Listed on the state’s Workforce Development website, Deere is laying off the following number of employees at their three different locations: John Deere Des Moines Works, Ankeny, 16 employees; John Deere Intelligent Solutions, Urbandale, 58 employees; John Deere Waterloo Works, Waterloo, 49 employees. The layoffs come after the company announced 190 workers would lose their jobs later this month. The company also announced more than 300 layoffs in April.
ANAMOSA, Iowa (KCRG) – On Tuesday, a judge sentenced the man charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of a Monticello Fareway employee. On Nov. 7, 2023, 48-year-old Aaron McAtee was outside the store when he was shot by Nathan Russell, and later died at a nearby hospital. Russell drove away before authorities found him in Hopkinton a short time later. A Delaware County deputy shot Russell when he didn’t comply with orders. Russell pled guilty to first-degree murder in the plea hearing. He will also have to pay restitution to the victim’s family as part of the agreement. Members of McAtee’s family sent in letters and spoke in person for the court to hear, expressing both their grief for the loss of Aaron and frustration for Russell’s actions. Through his attorney, Russell acknowledged his actions caused harm to the victim’s friends and family and accepted his punishment. The judge heard each of them before officially sentencing Russell to life in prison with no parole, the mandatory sentence for someone guilty of first-degree murder.
DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst signed a letter on Monday vowing to oppose Democratic legislation and judicial nominees as a response to the Trump guilty verdict. The letter, which was written by US Senator Mike Lee of Utah and signed by other U.S. senators, promises to oppose judicial nominees, spending bills, and other Democratic legislation as a protest of former president Donald Trump’s recent felony convictions. The letter also states that they will not allow any increase in non-security funding or any appropriations bill that funds partisan “lawfare.”
DUBUQUE, Iowa (KCRG) – The trial for the former Dubuque priest accused of sexually abusing altar boys in the 1980′s is set for July 30. Father Leo Riley faces five counts of sexual abuse. He entered a written plea of not guilty last week. Prosecutors are accusing Riley of molesting the altar boys when he was the associate pastor from 1984 to 1986 at the Resurrection School. Riley has denied all allegations against him. He bonded out of jail last month.
