DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) – Former President Donald Trump is holding a double-digit lead over President Joe Biden in Iowa, according to a new Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll. It shows Trump leading Biden 50 percent to 32 percent among likely voters. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had nine percent, and Libertarian candidate Chase Oliver had three percent. Three percent said they would vote for someone else. One percent said they would not vote, and another three percent were not sure. The poll also surveyed likely Iowa voters’ support for Biden and the job he’s doing as president. It showed Biden’s approval rating continues to decline. Among Iowans, 67 percent disapprove of Biden’s performance, while 28 percent approve and five percent are not sure. The disapproval stems from Biden’s handling of several key issues, including inflation, immigration, abortion and the war between Israel and Hamas. Sixty-nine percent of Iowans disapprove of Biden’s handling of inflation, compared to 25 percent approval and six percent not sure. And 68 percent of Iowans disapprove of Biden’s handling of immigration, compared to 24 percent who approve and eight percent who are not sure. The poll also found 77 percent of Iowans believe the nation is headed in the wrong direction, compared to just 17 percent who said things are heading in the right direction.
WRIGHT COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) – At approximately 9:00 a.m. Monday, the Wright County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a deceased person located at a rural residence in Clarion. Responders arrived to find the bodies of a deceased male and female. Officials have not identified them at this time. Investigators believe the incident to be isolated and say there is no threat to the public at this time. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation will assist with the ongoing investigation. An autopsy is set to be performed by the State Medical Examiner.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Urbana Police Chief Joshua Baker has filed a lawsuit against the City of Urbana, Mayor Gary Benson, and Urbana City Clerk Jennifer Burkhart after being placed on paid leave back in April. According to the lawsuit, Baker claims the group retaliated against him after he brought to their attention that they violated Iowa Code. The lawsuit states that Mayor Bensen permitted Burkhart to supervise Baker when she was a City Administrator, even though it was in violation of Iowa law. He then claims that the City Council changed its ordinance after he had filed a complaint about the matter, to make it legal in the process. He then says he was placed on leave “while the city evaluates its options for law enforcement.” As part of the lawsuit, Chief Baker claims the group abused their authority, retaliated against him by launching an “unwarranted investigation”, and intentionally failed to pay him earned wages. Baker has requested a jury determine a just amount for him to be compensated.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Officials have identified the driver involved in a Buchanan County crash that left several grave markers destroyed over the weekend. The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office said that 1999 Ford F250 crashed through a cemetery on the north edge of Quasqueton over the weekend. Pictures posted on the sheriff’s office’s Facebook page show tire marks going over the curb and into the cemetery. Officials have identified the driver as 21-year-old Kellen Phillip Beaver of North Bend, Nebraska. Beaver was charged with Operating While Intoxicated/Impaired, Failure to Maintain Control, and Failure to Maintain Proper Speed. No injuries were reported. Investigators are working to contact people who may have grave markers of loved ones who were affected by this incident. The sheriff’s office said people can reach out to them at (319) 334-2568 and reference case number 24006225.
