DUBUQUE, Iowa (KCRG) – The Dubuque school board accepted the resignation of a teacher charged with being in possession of child pornography. 35-year-old Andrew Roos faces six counts in a federal indictment, alleging he tried to entice minors in sexually explicit conduct. It claims Roos produced AI-generated images of Dubuque high school students. The indictment alleges the Hempstead High School teacher did this over the course of several years. The Dubuque School District placed Roos on administrative leave in May 2025 due to the discovery of the images. A search warrant executed in January 2026 shows that Dubuque Police seized two pens with hidden cameras and a USB drive from his classroom. Should Roos be convicted on the federal charges, he will face up to 120 years in prison.
ANKENY, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa State Capitol Bureau/KCRG) — Iowa foster children could soon have a financial head start thanks to a new state initiative ending what’s known as the orphan tax. Federal survivor money from deceased parents or family members who paid into Social Security used to pay for care if the child was placed in foster home. The new system instead holds the money in dedicated savings accounts for each child. It is held for 12 months before being invested into things like college savings plans or fist time homeowner savings accounts. The child will get access to the account when they turn 18. Governor Kim Reynolds says it will help foster children afford college or save for a first home. Iowa is the 31st state to get rid of the system. It’s part of First Lady Melania Trump’s initiative to give more federal support to foster children.
FAYETTE COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) – An 18-year-old woman was injured in an accident in Fayette County on Monday evening. The sheriff’s office responded to the call around 6:11 p.m. on Kornhill Road. The investigation revealed that the driver lost control of the vehicle, struck a ditch and proceeded to go into a cornfield. The driver was taken to an area hospital to be treated for minor injuries. The accident remains under investigation.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – The United States Senate on Tuesday confirmed a Cedar Rapids native and University of Iowa graduate to be a judge in a federal court. Kara Marie Westercamp will serve a lifetime appointment on the United States Court of International Trade. The court of nine judges oversees cases involving international trade and customs law, including imports and tariffs. President Donald Trump appointed Westercamp earlier this year. Her nomination then went to the Senate, where Senator Chuck Grassley introduced her. She was approved by a vote of 50-48 in the full Senate hearing Tuesday. Westercamp worked with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. She litigated insurance recovery and financial disputes with a private practice. She then moved into public service as a trial attorney defending federal agencies with the Department of Justice. She most recently worked with the Trump Administration in the White House Counsel’s Office.
