From the KCRG-TV9 Newsroom:
The Iowa National Guard says it’s struggling to recruit new members. The Guard’s adjutant general, Major General Ben Corell, says recruiting has been difficult since the start of the pandemic because of an increased competition for talent. He also says the lifting of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate will bring some members back. 300 Iowa National Guard soldiers and airmen had requested exemptions from the vaccine requirement. That kept them from training and performing many duties. Governor Reynolds is also recommending about $2 million in additional funding for the scholarship.
A 24-year-old man from Cedar Rapids now faces nine charges after police say he was involved in a domestic assault that involved gunshots. Officers responded to an apartment in the area of the 1300 block of 3rd Avenue southeast after midnight Wednesday morning. The call came in for gunshots and screaming. Lafeyette Hampton Junior now faces charges including assault causing injury, domestic abuse assault, and marijuana possession.
A new air carrier is relocating its Dubuque flights to the Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids for now. The Dubuque Regional Airport did not get approval from the TSA for its security plan in time for Avelo Airlines’ debut. City leaders say they’re working with staff to get it approved. Avelo says it plans to temporarily use the Eastern Iowa Airport until then. The flights start Saturday. Avelo says it is contacting impacted customers about the airport change.
A dog tied up and abandoned outside the Des Moines airport has a new family, after its previous owner left on a flight after he was told he wasn’t allowed to bring the dog on the flight. The Animal Rescue League of Iowa took in the dog, named Allie, after she was left at the airport on December 30. The Rescue League says someone adopted her after seeing her the day she was abandoned. Her family says she’s settling in well to her new home. The previous owner, a man from New Jersey, is facing charges including animal neglect.
