From the Associated Press:
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Two southeast Iowa teenagers have been formally charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the death of a high school Spanish teacher. Prosecutors in Fairfield filed documents containing the charges Friday against Willard Noble Chaiden Miller and Jeremy Everett Goodale. Documents alleged the two 16-year-olds killed Nohema Graber on or about Nov. 2. A judge said he reviewed details of the crime laid out in a sealed document and was convinced they warrant a jury trial. Both are being held in jail. Bond reduction hearings are set for Nov. 23. Arraignment for both is Nov. 29. Goodale’s attorney declined to comment. Miller’s attorney did not immediately respond to a message.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa judge accused of trying to rig a judicial nomination to get a favored candidate appointed to the bench has agreed to not lead any future selection processes. The Iowa Judicial Branch says District Judge Kurt Stoebe could also face an investigation by the Iowa Judicial Qualifications Commission, an independent body that investigates allegations of misconduct. The Iowa Supreme Court could discipline Stoebe, who was appointed by then-Gov. Chet Culver in 2011, only after receiving a report from the commission. Gov. Kim Reynolds on Thursday said an investigation by her staff found that Stoebe’s misconduct tainted the process of interviewing candidates and recommending finalists for an open district court judgeship in District 2b in central Iowa.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Deere & Co. and union officials have reached a third preliminary contract agreement that workers who began striking four weeks ago will vote on soon. The United Auto Workers said in a statement Friday night that the proposed contract with the agricultural machinery giant “includes modest modifications” to the latest rejected proposal, which included immediate 10% raises. The union described the new proposal as the company’s “last, best and final offer.” The contract, which union members will vote on on Wednesday, would cover more than 10,000 Deere workers at 12 facilities in Iowa, Illinois and Kansas, who make the company’s iconic John Deere green tractors and other equipment.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa State Patrol says a trooper died last month in a crash when he swerved to avoid a deer while speeding to respond to a call. Thirty-seven-year-old Ted Benda, of rural Decorah, crashed Oct. 14 on Highway 51 north of Postville. Patrol Sgt. Alex Dinka said Friday that after Benda swerved, his vehicle lost traction, entered a ditch, hit an embankment and rolled. Benda died Oct. 19. Clayton County officials have not answered questions about the call Benda was responding to when the crash occurred.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A judge has sentenced a South Carolina man to 50 years in prison for the 2020 stabbing death of his mother in Sioux City, Iowa. District Judge Jeffrey Neary on Friday sentenced 32-year-old Paul Belk, of Beaufort, South Carolina, after finding him guilty on Oct. 1 of second-degree murder and possession of marijuana. The Sioux City Journal reports Belk must serve as least 35 years before he’s eligible for parole. Belk stabbed his mother, Lisa Belk, 16 times with two knives and a pair of scissors while they were an apartment on April 14, 2020. He had arrived in Sioux City the day before. Belk’s lawyers argued he was insane at the time of the assault. A prosecution psychologist said Belk was able to distinguish right from wrong.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne says she plans to seek reelection to the 3rd Congressional District, ending speculation that she might challenge Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds next November. Axne, Iowa’s only Democrat in Congress, says Friday she has delivered tax cuts, disaster relief and critical support to Iowa’s families and businesses but her work is far from over. Axne defeated Republican challenger David Young by more than 6,200 votes in November 2020. She first won the seat in 2018 by defeating Young who had held the seat since January 2015. On Wednesday, Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks said she would run for reelection in the southeast Iowa district now numbered the 1st District.
