LINN COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) – Google and NextEra Energy have partnered to speed up restarting the Duane Arnold Nuclear Energy Center near Palo. The Duane Arnold Nuclear Energy Center, Iowa’s only nuclear facility, will be restarted by NextEra Energy. Google will purchase power from the 615-MW plant for 25 years for its growing cloud and AI infrastructure in the state. NextEra Energy has also partnered with Central Iowa Power Cooperative (CIPCO) and Corn Belt Power Cooperative to acquire the combined 30% interest and bring their ownership to 100%. CIPCO will purchase the remainder of the plant’s output on the same terms as Google. According to a Strategic Economic Research study, this would provide around 880 direct, indirect, and induced jobs in Linn County. It also says it would bring over $320 million in annual economic output during operations. NextEra Energy and Google have also agreed to explore the development of new nuclear generation deployment in the United States. This would help address the growing electricity needs across the U.S. NextEra has said it plans to recommission the Duane Nuclear Power Plant near Palo sometime in 2028. It has been closed since 2020. The facility is set to be fully operational by the first quarter of 2029.
DUBUQUE, Iowa (KCRG) – Passengers at the Dubuque Regional Airport have a new option to book flights. Denver Air Connection has partnered with Delta Airlines for ticket purchases, as well as flight and baggage transfers. Denver Air Connection offers a morning and evening daily flight between Dubuque and Chicago O’Hare International Airport. The interline agreement allows travelers to connect flights without additional luggage check-ins. Flights can also be purchased through American and United Airlines. There is also a $100 rebate for roundtrip flights purchased through the end of the year.
MARION, Iowa (KCRG) – A bench trial date has been set for the Marion dad who admitted to planning his son’s death before strangling him last year. Matthew Schleier, 46, is charged with first-degree murder. His bench trial is set for February 17 at the Linn County Courthouse. Schleier waived his right to a jury trial October 8. During a post-Miranda interview with investigators, Schleier admitted to strangling his son. He also said he had been up most of the night trying to decide how he was going to kill his son and that he had thoughts of killing the boy for the last week. He also admitted that he had thoughts about using knives to kill his son. According to the complaint, while executing a search warrant, investigators collected evidence, including knives, indicating Schleier was premeditating his actions.
BOONE, Iowa (KCRG) – Officials in central Iowa are investigating after a garage exploded in Boone. The Boone Fire Department says crews responded to a home Sunday on the 1300 block of Monona Street. They found the detached garage fully collapsed and debris surrounding it. Officials said no one was in the garage and no one was hurt. They are still working to find out what caused the explosion.
