Iowa
Attorney General Bird responds to block of Iowa book ban law
DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) – Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird released a statement Tuesday following the announcement that a federal judge blocked part of an Iowa book ban law.
On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Stephen Locher blocked part of the law that bans school libraries and classrooms from carrying books depicting sex acts.
“As a mom, I know how important it is to keep schools a safe place for kids to learn and grow,” says Attorney General Bird. “Parents shouldn’t have to worry about what materials their kids have access to when they’re not around. This common sense law makes certain that the books kids have access to in school classrooms and libraries are age-appropriate. I’m going to keep on fighting to uphold our law that protects schoolchildren and parental rights.”
Copyright 2025 KCRG. All rights reserved.
Iowa
Northeastern Iowa man sentenced to 120 years in prison for child sexual abuse
ALLAMAKEE COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) – A Waterville man was sentenced to 120 years in prison Tuesday after authorities say he potentially committed more than 100 acts of sexual abuse.
54-year-old Jonathon Hilleshiem was convicted of four counts of second-degree sexual abuse, lascivious acts with a child, and sexual exploitation of a minor – possess depiction of a minor in sex act.
Hilleshiem was initially charged with four counts of sexual abuse in the second degree and one count of lascivious acts with a child in July 2025.
In August 2025, police executed search warrants and additionally charged Hilleshiem with one count of sexual exploitation of a minor – possess depiction of a minor in sex act.
As part of the investigation, the child spoke to authorities about the abuse.
A criminal complaint shows authorities believe there may be more than 100 acts of sexual abuse that occurred between 2014 and 2020.
Hilleshiem was also sentenced to lifetime supervision by the Iowa Department of Corrections and must register as a sex offender.
Copyright 2026 KCRG. All rights reserved.
Iowa
Staind, Hoobastank and BigXthaPlug to perform at Iowa State Fair
BigXthaPlug, Bailey Zimmerman react to Hall of Fame exhibit
The artists discuss their crossover success and being included in the Country Music Hall of Fame’s American Currents showcase of today’s music.
Ready to rock out? Multi-platinum rock band Staind will take the Iowa State Fair Grandstand stage with special guest Hoobastank on Monday, Aug. 17.
That’s not all: breakout Texas rapper BigXthaPlug will deliver his hard-hitting southern hip-hop anthems to the Grandstand on Saturday, Aug. 22.
Here’s what to know about the performances:
Who is Staind?
Staind is a multi-platinum rock band that’s toured alongside names like Kid Rock, Limp Bizkit and Filter. Their 1999 album “Dysfunction” contained their hit song “Mudshovel,” their major-label debut, according to Musician Guide.
In 2000, Staind contributed tracks to two compilation albums: the “Scream 3” film soundtrack and a rock tribute to rap music entitled “Take A Bight Outta Rhyme: A Rock Tribute To Rap.”
Who is Hoobastank?
Hoobastank’s debut and sophomore albums have topped the Billboard charts. Their song “The Reason” hit a billion views on YouTube. Netflix also used “The Reason” in the hit series “Beef,” according to Grammy.com.
Originally a mixture of rock, metal, ska, and funk influences (with saxophones!), Hoobastank is now bristling hard rock. Their platinum-selling debut album in 2001 broke the Top 20 on Billboard charts, which included their popular anthem “Crawling in the Dark.” Their next album, “The Reason” – which pushed them into the mainstream – hit No.3 on Billboard’s Top 200 albums chart, where it stayed for more than a year.
Who is BigXthaPlug?
Dallas rapper BigXthaPlug is mixing rap and country alongside big-name country artists like Luke Combs, Ella Langley, Bailey Zimmerman, Jelly Roll, Darius Rucker and more. He’s gone from solitary confinement to Nashville’s biggest rapper, according to The New York Times.
“Hip-hop and country music both have the same base, which is storytelling,” he told The New York Times.
When is Staind performing at the Iowa State Fair? When is BigXthaPlug performing?
Staind will perform with special guest Hoobastank on Monday, Aug. 17 at 8 p.m.
BigXthaPlug will perform on Saturday, Aug. 22 at 8 p.m.
Where do I get tickets for the Iowa State Fair concerts?
Tickets for both acts go on sale Friday, April 3 at 10 a.m. and can be found online at the Iowa State Fair website.
Tickets to see Staind and Hoobastank range between $54.40 and $89.40. Tickets for BigXthaPlug range between $29.40 and $69.40.
What’s the current Iowa State Fair Grandstand lineup?
One act remains to be announced for Friday, Aug. 21. Tickets for the following shows are already on sale:
- Thursday, Aug. 13: HARDY with special guest McCoy Moore
- Friday, Aug. 14: Rod Stewart with special guest Richard Marx
- Saturday, Aug. 15: The Red Clay Strays
- Sunday, Aug. 16: Lainey Wilson with special guest Tigirlily Gold (sold out)
- Monday, Aug. 17: Staind with special guest Hoobastank
- Tuesday, Aug. 18: TLC and Salt-N-Pepa with En Vogue
- Wednesday, Aug. 19: AJR
- Thursday, Aug. 20: Riley Green with special guest Mackenzie Carpenter
- Friday, Aug. 21: Not yet announced
- Saturday, Aug. 22: BigXthaPlug
- Sunday, Aug. 23: Josiah Queen with special guest Ben Fuller
Lucia Cheng is a service and trending reporter at the Des Moines Register. Contact her at lcheng@gannett.com or 515-284-8132.
Iowa
Iowa Boys High School Tennis Team Rankings Released
The Iowa Boys Tennis Coaches have released team rankings for the start of the 2026 season in Iowa boys high school tennis.
Starting off the year in the No. 1 spots will be Waukee Northwest in Class 2A and Cedar Rapids Xavier in Class 1A.
Iowa City West, Johnston, Pleasant Valley and Linn-Mar round out the Top 5 in 2A while Dubuque Wahlert Catholic, Sergeant Bluff-Luton, Decorah and Waverly-Shell Rock complete the 1A Top 5 behind Cedar Rapids Xavier.
Both Waukee Northwest and Cedar Rapids Xavier claimed the team state titles a year ago. The Wolves earned 5-0 wins over both Dowling Catholic and Iowa City West before besting Cedar Rapids Prairie in the finals, 5-1.
Cedar Rapids Xavier silenced Boone and Decorah, earning a 5-3 victory over Dubuque Wahlert Catholic in the championship match.
State Team Tennis Makes Change For 2026
New for 2026 Iowa boys tennis season will be substate team tennis, as the Top 32 teams from each classification advance to participate. Previously, all teams started play in team state just like individual state qualifiers.
Eight substates with up to four teams each will compete. There will be one host site for each substate for the semifinal round and the substate final.
Here are the Iowa boys high school tennis team rankings from the Iowa Boys Tennis Coaches.
Iowa Boys High School Tennis Team Rankings
Class 2A
- Waukee Northwest
- Iowa City West
- Johnston
- Pleasant Valley
- Linn-Mar
- Ames
- Dowling Catholic
- Cedar Rapids Prairie
- Cedar Rapids Washington
- West Des Moines Valley
Class 1A
- Cedar Rapids Xavier
- Dubuque Wahlert Catholic
- Sergeant Bluff-Luton
- Decorah
- Waverly-Shell Rock
- Pella
- Central DeWitt
- Boone
- Ballard
- Shenandoah
-
South-Carolina3 days agoSouth Carolina vs TCU predictions for Elite Eight game in March Madness
-
Miami, FL6 days agoJannik Sinner’s Girlfriend Laila Hasanovic Stuns in Ab-Revealing Post Amid Miami Open
-
New Mexico1 week agoClovis shooting leaves one dead, four injured
-
Minneapolis, MN6 days agoBoy who shielded classmate during school shooting receives Medal of Honor
-
Tennessee1 week agoTennessee Police Investigating Alleged Assault Involving ‘Reacher’ Star Alan Ritchson
-
Culture1 week agoDo You Know the Comics That Inspired These TV Adventures?
-
Science1 week agoAs mosquitoes go year-round in L.A., a promising fix hits a snag
-
Technology1 week agoYouTube job scam text: How to spot it fast