DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa State Capitol Bureau) — Iowa’s primary election is Tuesday, and candidates across the state are making their final push to voters.

One of the most closely watched contests is the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. The winner will advance to November’s general election to compete for Senator Joni Ernst’s seat.

Iowa State Senator Zach Wahls and State Representative Josh Turek are competing for the Democratic nomination.

Wahls spent Monday in Des Moines speaking with voters about the issues they want addressed in Washington.

“It’s time for change. We’ve been talking about it from day one. Iowans have been failed by leaders in both parties for far too long,” Wahls said. “In order to get the change that we need, we need a leader and a fighter who’s willing to challenge the broken status quo and clean up the corruption in Washington DC.”

Turek toured the state during the final days of the race. He was in Sioux City Friday and said he will represent working class Iowans if elected.

“I come from a working class family, a working class community, somebody that’s gone through a lot of hardships, a lot of struggle, both on the economic and on the health care side,” Turek said. “I think what’s fundamentally wrong with DC right now is we’ve got enough millionaires up there. I’m the only one in this race that’s not a millionaire.”

For the first time in more than a decade, Iowa will have an open U.S. Senate seat.

While campaigning, candidates have heard concerns ranging from affordability and housing costs to agriculture and water quality.

Polls open Tuesday morning across Iowa.

—

Isabella Warren covers state government and politics for Gray Media-owned stations in Iowa. Email her at isabella.warren@kcrg.com; and follow her on Facebook at Isabella Warren TV on X/Twitter@isabellaw_gray, and on Instagram@IsabellaWarrenTV.

A pair of teenagers recently pleaded guilty to kidnapping and attacking a fellow teen male.

Nailea Leverette and Albert Mlala, both 18, pleaded guilty on May 28 to third-degree kidnapping, willful injury causing serious injury, and assault with a dangerous weapon.

Leverette and Mlala invited a 17-year-old boy to Mlala’s Altoona home on Nov. 2, 2025, where they led him to the basement and confronted him about alleged sexual abuse, according to court filings.

More: Two teens charged with kidnapping, beating boy in Altoona home

The two then allegedly tortured and beat the boy with a baseball bat and whipped him with a cut vacuum cord for three hours, leaving him with significant injuries, according to criminal complaints.

The boy, who has not been named publicly, said that Mlala displayed a gun at one point. The male was eventually able to make an excuse to leave the basement and the custody of the fellow teens.

Leverette and Mlala, both 17 at the time of the crime, were charged as adults with first-degree kidnapping.

The pair pleaded guilty after initially pleading not guilty.

More: Should records in Iowa judge’s drunk driving case be kept secret?

Mlala was provided with a pretrial release on May 29, according to court filings. Leverette was ordered to be released from custody on Nov. 25, 2025.

Mlala is scheduled to be sentenced on July 31. Leverette will be sentenced on Aug. 7.

Kyle Werner is the breaking news and public safety reporter for the Register. Reach him at kwerner@registermedia.com.

The Iowa Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big with rewards ranging from $1,000 to millions. The most an Iowan has ever won from playing the lottery was $343 million in 2018 off the Powerball.

Don’t miss out on the winnings. Here’s a look at Sunday, May 31, 2026, winning numbers for each game:

Winning Pick-3 numbers from May 31 drawing

Midday: 9-9-4

Evening: 6-1-0

Check Pick-3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick-4 numbers from May 31 drawing

Midday: 5-3-2-7

Evening: 5-3-0-0

Check Pick-4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 31 drawing

03-11-26-45-56, Bonus: 05

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Iowa Lottery drawings held?

• Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
• Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
• Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
• Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
• Pick 3 (Day): 12:20 p.m. CT daily.
• Pick 3 (Evening): 10:00 p.m. CT daily.
• Pick 4 (Day): 12:20 p.m. CT daily.
• Pick 4 (Evening): 10:00 p.m. CT daily.
• Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Iowa editor. You can send feedback using this form.