Midwest
Iowa men out on bond accused of throwing duct-tape bound woman in trunk, killing her, dumping body near lake
Two Iowa men have been arrested in connection to a woman’s body being found near an Iowa County lake.
According to the Iowa County Sheriff’s Office, authorities have identified the victim as Melody Hoffman, 20.
On Sunday, deputies responded to a report of a body being found near a picnic area at Amana Lily Lake.
On Tuesday, McKinley Louisma, 23, who was allegedly in an intimate relationship with Hoffman, was arrested and charged in connection to her death, according to WHO 13.
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Iowa authorities have two men in custody for the murder of Melody Hoffman, whose body was found near a lake. ( Linn County Sheriff’s Office)
Louisma was also out on bond when investigators reported that he kidnapped Hoffman, according to KCRG.
On Wednesday, authorities arrested another suspect in connection to Hoffman’s murder.
Officials announced that Dakota Van Patten, 18, has also been charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, and conspiracy to commit a forcible felony in the death of Hoffman.
Court records obtained by KCRG indicate that Louisma and Van Patten knew each other beforehand. Both were accused of beating the same man back on January 14, 2024, at an apartment in Cedar Rapids. Both were released on bond in that case.
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During a search warrant, investigators found Hoffman’s phone case, a white Apple Watch band with blood on it, a bungee cord, a towing rope, gloves, and clothes in a bag matching the ones Hoffman was wearing, the affidavit revealed.
Court records obtained by Fox News Digital detailed what investigators say happened after Louisma picked Hoffman up at 11:00 p.m. Saturday.
According to court documents, Hoffman was picked up by Louisma on the night of Feb. 17 and remained with him until she died.
Investigators used data from Hoffman’s iPhone and Apple Watch to piece together her last moments.
The data showed that Hoffman was at Morgan Creek Park in Linn County when her Apple Watch recorded her heartbeat intensifying before “it either stopped or the device deactivated.”
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Police have identified the suspects of interest after a Melody Hoffman’s body was found near a lake in Iowa on Sunday. ( Linn County Sheriff’s Office)
During an interrogation, Louisma told investigators he and another unidentified person bound Hoffman’s wrists with duct tape, put her in the trunk of the car, and drove to several locations until they reached Lily Lake in Amana.
Louisma admitted Hoffman begged to be let go, was beaten, and stabbed and slashed multiple times.
The Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office determined the preliminary cause of death was strangulation.
Court documents show Louisma was part of two previous investigations involving accusations of violence. One was in Manchester involving sexual assault. The other was in Cedar Rapids claiming Louisma attacked a man, causing serious injury.
Jail records show Louisma was charged with first-degree kidnapping and conspiracy to commit forcible felony. He is being held at the Linn County Jail on a $50,000 cash-only bond. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for March 1.
A candlelight vigil in Melody’s memory was being held Thursday evening in Marion.
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Illinois
Illinois US Rep. Robin Kelly introduces articles of impeachment against DHS Secretary Kristi Noem
CHICAGO — Rep. Robin Kelly of Illinois says she has introduced three articles of impeachment to remove Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem from office and that she has support from almost 70 Democrats so far.
A growing number of Democrats are calling for Noem’s impeachment in the wake of the killing of a Minnesota woman by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, though the effort stands little chance in a Republican-controlled House and Senate.
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Kelly said in a press conference Wednesday announcing her resolution that “real people are being hurt and killed” from ICE enforcement actions. She was joined by 10 other Democrats at the event who voiced frustration and anger with the Trump administration’s deportation efforts – many focused on their districts.
“If we do nothing, nothing will happen,” Kelly said.
It’s unclear when Kelly may seek to force a vote on her resolution.
RELATED | Minneapolis ICE shooting: Gov. Pritzker calls for DHS Sec. Noem to resign, Chicago groups speak out
Rep. Angie Craig, who represents a swing district in Minnesota, said ICE actions “have crossed a line.”
“Minnesotans, we want safe and secure borders. We want violent criminals to not be in our country. But this is not what we signed up for.”
Voto Latino supports articles of impeachment against Secretary Noem, urges constituents to demand support from elected officials
Voto Latino leaders announced their full support for the three articles of impeachment introduced by Rep. Kelly to remove DHS Secretary Noem.
“The impeachment articles brought forward by Representative Kelly today have been a long time coming,” Voto Latino leaders said in a statement. “Since taking office Secretary Kristi Noem has operated without restraint or accountability. Secretary Kristi Noem has used her cabinet position to benefit herself at the expense of the American people – regardless of immigration status.”
Along with their support, Voto Latino leaders are launching a digital campaign in Republican led districts, aimed at pressuring members of Congress to support the impeachment efforts. The digital campaign urges constituents in the districts to contact their representative and demand support for the impeachment efforts.
Copyright © 2026 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
Indiana
A pond for Ponds: Bloomington names body of water after Indiana CB
D’Angelo Ponds announced himself to the nation by returning an interception of Oregon quarterback Dante Moore for a touchdown on the first play of the College Football Playoff semifinal last Friday. That moment cemented his place in Hoosiers lore — and, now, on Bloomington’s map.
The city temporarily renamed a local pond “D’Angelo’s Pond” in honor of the Indiana cornerback after a social media post calling for such a move went viral. The city’s communications team approached Mayor Kerry Thomson with the idea, and she was quickly on board.
“(We) thought it was brilliant, really. It helps lift up some of the less visible players,” Thomson told The Athletic. “This was a great opportunity to highlight that our city is a place where potential is unlocked, and this team has really shown that.”
The retention pond — designed to temporarily hold stormwater runoff — sits just a few minutes from Memorial Stadium. Thomson’s office leaned into the metaphor in its announcement, writing that “like a great cornerback, a well-designed stormwater pond knows how to contain and protect.”
Ponds told Fox 59 that the renaming was a “once-in-a-lifetime thing.”
“Just to have a pond named after me is something that’s always been talked about, but I was just really shocked to see it come to life,” he said.
After drawing little attention from major programs out of high school because of his size, the 5-foot-9 defensive back committed to James Madison and coach Curt Cignetti in 2022. Ponds earned Freshman All-America honors in 2023 before following Cignetti to Bloomington, where he’s emerged as one of the nation’s top cornerbacks. He was named Defensive MVP of the Rose Bowl in Indiana’s win over Alabama, then earned the same honor in the Hoosiers’ rout of Oregon.
Bloomington’s honor also rewards Ponds’ loyalty to the Hoosiers. He was offered by 30 programs after entering the portal last April — including Alabama, Tennessee and Miami. He told The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman that he had second thoughts after committing to Indiana, a school better known for its basketball program. But he chose to stick with Cignetti and the Hoosiers, and is now on the precipice of winning the school’s first national championship and completing one of the greatest turnarounds in sports history.
“The vibe in Bloomington recently around football has been quite different than it has been in the past 30 years,” Thomson said. “The whole community has really come together around this team and around their story.”
Asked why the new name for the previously unnamed pond wasn’t permanent, the mayor said an official name change would’ve required the use of public resources.
“It’s unofficially official until the end of time,” she said. “… But, at the end of the day, who knows? Anything’s possible.”
While Thomson has not gotten the chance to speak with Ponds, she’s heard that the cornerback is planning a visit when he returns from Miami. The pond is not swimmable, so Thomson hopes to toss a football across the pond to Ponds.
Iowa
Iowa State Fair announces country, Christian Grandstand concerts for 2026 season
DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) – The Iowa State Fair announced two more Grandstand acts Wednesday for its 2026 season.
Country-rock artist HARDY will kick off opening night on August 13. He will take the stage with special guest McCoy Moore starting at 8 p.m.
Then on closing night, Breakout Christian artist Josiah Queen will perform with special guest Ben Fuller. The state fair says the show will be a “family-friendly finale,” starting at 6 p.m. August 23.
Tickets can be purchased starting at 10 a.m. Friday on the State Fair’s website. HARDY tickets start at $54.40, and Josiah Queen tickets start at $19.40.
Copyright 2026 KCRG. All rights reserved.
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