Iowa
2024 marks the hottest year in Iowa’s recorded history
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – If you stepped outside right now, you probably wouldn’t consider this warm weather.
But despite the snow on your windshield or ice on your driveway, this weather is much warmer than where it should be.
And State Climatologist Justin Glisan says this could have bigger effects than which jacket we wear.
“You put this year and last year together; the warmest two years on record for Iowa.” he said.
In 2024, Iowa’s temperature averaged just over 2 degrees warmer than normal, marking it the hottest year in Iowa’s records, which date back to 1872.
And while two degrees may not sound like a massive change, Glisan says it’s these small changes that can end up creating extreme weather.
“It’s kind of counterintuitive to say this, but with a warming winter, we do see more cold extremes, we do see more polar vortex outbreaks… Also on the flip side, more flash flooding, as I mentioned, more rainfall in the winter time.” he said.
And with these higher temps and increased risks for extreme weather, winter-based businesses, like Sundown Mountain Resort in Dubuque, have felt the burden.
“Last year was tough. If you’re in the ski industry, enduring the warmest winter ever record was tough… it was a fight to keep enough snow on the slopes to let our customers come out.” said Mark Gordon, General Manager of Sundown Mountain.
But Glisan says not all hope is lost.
While significant change will likely take collaboration between the public and private sector, he says simple steps like fixing a leaky faucet or investing in renewable energy can keep these numbers from climbing past the point of no return.
Copyright 2025 KCRG. All rights reserved.
Iowa
Arrests made in SD in Iowa courthouse incident
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Two suspects in the incident at the Lyon County, Iowa, courthouse were arrested in Spearfish, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office said in a social media post earlier Saturday.
The sheriff’s office identified two suspects as Brandon Lyle High Pipe, 39, and Luciano Eliseo Sanchez, 18, in a social media post on Thursday. Nationwide warrants were issued for the two suspects.
The sheriff’s office said on Tuesday the courthouse had burglarized overnight. The damage inside includes writing on walls, broken glass, tipped-over Christmas trees and other items tossed around.
The incident caused the courthouse to be closed for at least one day.
The sheriff’s office said on Saturday morning that more information should be released later.
Iowa
Iowa City West sweeps City High in a pair of close contests
IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – Grace Fincham led the West High girls to a second-half comeback in a 60-51 win over City High, giving the Trojans a win on their rival’s home floor.
The Trojans improve to 6-2 with the win. The Little Hawks drop to 6-2.
In the boys’ nightcap, the Little Hawks’ comeback attempt fell short, as the Trojans held on for a 53-51 win.
Copyright 2025 KCRG. All rights reserved.
Iowa
Iowa football dissects LeVar Woods succession plan
The loss of LeVar Woods, the Iowa Hawkeyes’ long-time, elite special teams coordinator, cannot be dismissed. The Hawkeyes have consistently been among the nation’s best special teams units, from punting to kicking to owning the return and field position battle.
With LeVar Woods departing Iowa for Big Ten foe, the Michigan State Spartans, the Hawkeyes have a big hole to fill, and head coach Kirk Ferentz spoke to the media this week on what that succession plan may look like.
“Yeah, it’s not a light decision. The trick will be to find the next LeVar Woods. He’s done a fantastic job. He didn’t have the profile necessarily maybe at that point to predict what he was going to do, but he’s done all the work. It’s like a good player; players do the work. LeVar has done a great job immersing himself and learning every aspect and then growing with each and every turn. So I guess I’m describing what we’re looking for, a guy who’s a good coach, who’s eager to take a challenge on, and immerse themselves in that world.
“Special teams is a unique niche, if you will. I’m sure we’ll have good candidates. It’s not pressing right now in my mind. What is pressing is the next two weeks getting ready for the game, and then after that we’ll have eight plus weeks or eight plus months actually to get it right. I don’t plan on waiting until August to fill it, but we’ll figure that out when we get in the new year,” Ferentz said about LeVar Woods.
The past few seasons, Iowa has been elite on special teams with kicker Drew Stevens being incredibly consistent, the punting game flipping fields, and the run of returners consisting of Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Charlie Jones, Cooper DeJean, and Kaden Wetjen.
The Hawkeyes have won more than their fair share of games relying on this unit, and to continue that success, Ferentz needs to hit on this hire.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7
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