Iowa
Kira Smith, Gabriella Fleming take home Iowa high school girls tennis state titles
Jessica Pegula talks all things WTA and American women’s tennis
Jessica Pegula stops by ahead of the French Open talk about American tennis and her partnership with World of Hyatt.
Sports Seriously
The 2025 Iowa high school girls tennis season wrapped up for individuals with the culmination of the state singles and doubles tournament on May 31.
The tournament brought with it elation and heartbreak, as only two individuals and two doubles teams were able to claim the title of state champion.
Here’s a rundown of the action.
Ankeny’s Kira Smith claims Class 2A individual title
In Iowa City, where the Class 2A tournament was held, Kira Smith claimed the state title with a win over Clinton senior Sescie Haan. Smith earned the victory in straight sets and did not lose a single set during the tournament.
According to Bound, Smith was undefeated on the year in both doubles and singles competition.
North Scott sophomore Madelyn Jepsen took home third place with a 2-1 win over Cedar Rapids Jefferson junior Lily Holland.
Dowling Catholic duo captures Class 2A doubles title
The doubles team from Dowling Catholic claimed the state title in straight sets, winning 2-0.
The Maroons’ team of Grace Frye and Juju Mauro, both seniors, took down the Wolves’ duo of sophomores, Mia Deines and London Taylor.
The team of Sasha Postnikov and Marie Stier from Iowa City West finished in third, defeating Dowling’s duo of Payton Blume and Mady Pierron in straight sets.
Xavier’s Gabriella Fleming makes run to Class 1A title
To the northwest of the action in Iowa City, the Class 1A tournament was happening out in Waterloo.
Cedar Rapids Xavier sophomore Gabriella Fleming kept the good vibes rolling for the Saints. Earlier in the week, Charlie LeGrand claimed the boys 1A individual title and the duo of Jacob Schmit and Bennett won the doubles crown for the Saints. Flemming added more hardware to Xavier’s trophy case, taking down Kate Holton from Waterloo Columbus in straight sets.
It’s the second-straight state title for Fleming, who did not lose a single set throughout the tournament.
Pella senior Claire Smock finished the tournament in third place with a win over St. Edmond senior Lauren Gibb.
Xavier claims 1A doubles state championship
It was one heck of a week for the Saints, sweeping the singles and doubles competition at both the boys and the girls state tennis tournaments. The senior duo of Ruby Smith and Isabel Tobin took a straight-sets victory over the Dike-New Hartford team of Izzy Norton and Aidalyn Tott. Smith and Tobin lost just one set in the tournament.
Decorah’s team of Grace Huinker and Olivia Huinker finished in third, taking down a second team from Dike-New Hartford, Addy Joslin and Lauren Muller, in straight sets.
Iowa
Iowa Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 Midday results for May 8, 2026
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 Friday, May 8, 2026, winning numbers for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from May 8 drawing
37-47-49-51-58, Mega Ball: 16
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick-3 numbers from May 8 drawing
Midday: 0-5-8
Evening: 9-9-2
Check Pick-3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick-4 numbers from May 8 drawing
Midday: 0-2-7-3
Evening: 0-7-0-6
Check Pick-4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 8 drawing
14-16-21-43-51, Bonus: 03
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.
Iowa
Iowa SNAP restrictions raise concerns over confusion, impact on summer food aid
IOWA — Iowa’s new restrictions on SNAP benefits are drawing concern from advocates who say the changes could make it harder for families to buy food and could put future summer assistance for children at risk.
The state’s SNAP waiver took effect January 1, 2026, limiting what items can be purchased based on Iowa’s taxable food list. While that includes widely discussed restrictions on soda and candy, the policy also affects certain prepared foods, creating confusion for shoppers.
“Something as small as whether or not a utensil is included in a food item actually impacts whether or not you can continue to purchase that item using your SNAP benefits,” Paige Chickering, Iowa State Manager for the Save the Children Action Network, said.
Advocates say the rules can be difficult to navigate, especially for people relying on quick meals. Items like prepackaged salads or sandwiches may or may not qualify depending on how they are packaged.
At the same time, new legislation slated for the next session at the statehouse could make those restrictions more permanent by requiring Iowa to continue seeking federal approval for the waiver.
That’s raising additional concerns about the future of Summer EBT, also known as “Sun Bucks,” which provides food assistance to children when school is out.
“This makes that food assistance dependent on a decision made in Washington, D.C. that is just arbitrary and not really dependent on the needs of Iowans and Iowa children,” Chickering said.
The program is expected to help around 220,000 children in Iowa during the summer months. Advocates worry leaving it up to federal approval of the waiver could jeopardize that support if policies change. They also point out that SNAP plays a major role in addressing hunger compared to other resources.
“We know that for every one meal provided by an emergency feeding organization, SNAP provides nine,” Chickering said.
Advocates say they support improving nutrition but argue there are more effective, evidence based ways to do that without limiting food choices.
For now, organizations across Iowa are working to help families understand the new rules, while also pushing lawmakers to reconsider how the policy could impact food access moving forward.
Iowa
Harkin backs Turek for Iowa Senate
Scoop: Iowa Democratic state Rep. Josh Turek snagged a major endorsement for his Senate bid from former Sen. Tom Harkin.
Harkin, who retired in 2015, was the last Democrat to represent Iowa in the Senate. Turek is locked in a competitive primary with state Sen. Zach Wahls in a race that has divided major factions of the Democratic Party.
“I have a pretty good idea of what it takes to win an election, and then to faithfully represent all Iowans, not just those who voted for you,” Harkin said in his endorsement. “That’s why I’m supporting Josh Turek.”
Harkin served in the Senate for 30 years and is the author of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Turek, who was born with spina bifida and uses a wheelchair, was 11 when the ADA was enacted.
Harkin is a widely sought after endorsement in the Hawkeye State. His decision to wade into the race is notable because Harkin also has a relationship with Wahls.
Wahls called Harkin “one of my closest political mentors,” and said the former senator officiated his wedding in 2021.
Iowa’s Senate primaries are June 2.
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