Iowa
Poster advertising conservative speaker vandalized, University of Iowa conservative group says
A banner advertising an event for the University of Iowa’s Young Americans for Freedom chapter was vandalized on Monday, mere hours after it was put up, the organization said.
Vandals allegedly scribbled “ignorant” on the photo of Ian Haworth who is visiting Iowa City on Oct. 7. The banner was hung on a black fence surrounding Hubbard Park near the Iowa Memorial Union Monday morning, which YAF representatives say was vandalized within two-and-a-half hours.
Haworth is a British-born conservative that YAF’s website describes as a “conservative writer, speaker and podcast host.”
The Young Americans for Freedom released a statement Monday, saying the alleged vandalism “openly call(s) for violence against Jewish students.”
“It is appalling that at a Big Ten University, where tours are happening regularly and the administration promotes ‘inclusion,’ ‘safe spaces,’ and ‘welcoming,’ members of the Hawkeye community still openly call for violence against Jewish students,” the University of Iowa YAF organization said. “Terrorist sympathizers should not be celebrated—they should be held accountable for the hateful, criminal rhetoric they spread.”
YAF President Jasmyn Jordan told the Press-Citizen that she submitted a formal statement to the University of Iowa Police Department and plans to request a meeting with UI President Barbara Wilson “because blatant and deliberate hatred should not be tolerated whatsoever.”
More: Iowa governor deploys National Guard to help North Carolina after Hurricane Helene
Graffiti included Palestinian flag and the phrase “Free Palestine”
A Palestinian flag was also drawn next to Haworth’s face and was accompanied by the phrase “Free Palestine.” In small writing, a person allegedly scribbled “From the river to the sea,” a contentious phrase common at pro-Palestinian rallies that demonstrators say is a call for Palestinian freedom.
The American Jewish Committee says the ‘From the river to the sea’ phrase harkens back to Hamas’ 1988 founding document, which called for the destruction of Israel. A U.S. House resolution declaring the phrase antisemitic passed by a 377-44 margin in April.
“(L)eftist groups continue to engage in this behavior without consequence,” YAF’s statement continued. “How can prospective and current students feel safe, included, or welcome when their identities and fundamental beliefs are constantly under attack?”
More: When does early voting start in Iowa? Here’s when you can vote in-person this fall.
Conservative host visiting on anniversary of deadly Hamas attack
The UI chapter of Young Americans for Freedom will welcome Ian Haworth to the Iowa Memorial Union on Monday, Oct. 7.
His talk, titled “October 7: One Year Later – Hamas’s War on Jewish, Christian, American, and Western Values,” will explore how Hamas’ deadly attacks “targeted the foundational values of these groups,” according to a release from the Young Americans. Haworth will “advocate for the release and safe return of hostages taken during the conflict,” “honor the victims of terrorism” and “address the rising threat of antisemitism.”
Haworth previously worked at The Daily Wire, the Ben Shapiro-founded media organization.
“(H)ostage-taking is not a political issue and should never be silenced,” the YAF statement concluded. “By vandalizing our materials and attacking our promotions, these terrorist sympathizers are aligning themselves with the most unethical and immoral groups, whether they realize it or not.”
More: Protesters gather on Pentacrest in Iowa City as Israel ramps up conflict with Hezbollah
YAF regularly hosts conservative speakers
The Young Americans for Freedom chapter at the University of Iowa has hosted several notable conservatives over the past 18 months. They brought in well-known conservative Matt Walsh, Chloe Cole and Vince Everett Ellison as well as former University of Penn swimmer Paula Scanlan. Walsh’s appearance in April 2023, in which he also screened the “What is a Woman” documentary, drew hundreds of protesters to the Iowa Memorial Union and nearby streets.
One protestor was eventually convicted of disorderly conduct following a jury trial in April
More: Protesters gather on Pentacrest in Iowa City as Israel ramps up conflict with Hezbollah
Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01.
An Iowa man was injured Thursday afternoon after three vehicles traveling northbound on Interstate 35 collided near Albert Lea.
Thomas Gene Anderson, 34, of Winnebago, Iowa, was taken by Mayo Ambulance to Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea for non-life threatening injuries, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.
Anderson was listed as the driver of a 2019 Chevrolet Blazer.
The report states the Blazer and a 2020 Nissan Rogue, driven by Brenda Sue Bangs, 52, of Glenville, and a 2021 Chevrolet Blazer, driven by Lisa Ann Bettin, 64, of Altoona, Iowa, were all northbound on I-35 near milepost 10 when the vehicles collided at 3:49 p.m.
As we work through the month of June, things are starting to heat up on the diamond around Iowa high school baseball.
With the start of postseason play just around the corner in July, teams are working to get prepared for the stretch run.
High School On SI Iowa has a Top 25 state power ranking while the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association releases weekly class-by-class rankings.
Here are leaders as of June 17, 2026 for several major hitting and pitching categories. Stats are from those uploaded to the Bound website.
Iowa High School Baseball Leaders
Home Runs
- Tru McBride, Fort Dodge, 9
- Colton Roemmich, West Des Moines Valley, 9
- Brandon Bea, Davenport North, 8
- Kamden Jorgensen, Saydel, 8
- Gabe Blanshan, Urbandale, 7
Running Batted In
- Callan Koch, Sioux City East, 38
- West Cole, Mason City Newman Catholic, 37
- Tru McBride, Fort Dodge, 36
- Chance Georgius, Roland-Story, 34
- Ty Heydon, Coon Rapids-Bayard, 34
Stolen Bases
- Aiden Ferry, Roland-Story, 38
- Tate Garman, Algona, 33
- Titan Foster, Nodaway Valley, 32
- Tate Moulton, Grand View Christian, 30
- Cael Wishman, Baxter, 29
Runs Scored
- Cal Jepsen, Sioux City East, 45
- Aiden Frey, Roland-Story, 43
- Cal Heydon, Coon Rapids-Bayard, 41
- Kolton Schiltz, Fort Dodge, 40
- Colton Wight, Martensdale-St. Marys, 39
Hits
- Colton Wight, Martensdale-St. Marys, 39
- Cal Jepsen, Sioux City East, 38
- Callan Koch, Sioux City East, 36
- Ty Heydon, Coon Rapids-Bayard, 35
- Lucas Kelley, Des Moines Roosevelt, 34
Doubles
- Joe Nilles, Sioux City North, 13
- Colton Wight, Martensdale-St. Marys, 13
- Lucas Kelley, Des Moines Roosevelt, 12
- Brett Harris, Western Dubuque, 12
- Brooks Bond, Lewis Central, 11
Triples
- Callan Koch, Sioux City East, 7
- Will Nesler, Ankeny Centennial, 5
- Jacob Pierro, Dubuque Wahlert Catholic, 5
- Lucas Kelley, Des Moines Roosevelt, 5
- Cal Jepsen, Sioux City East, 4
Total Bases
- Colton Wight, Martensdale-St. Marys, 68
- Tru McBride, Fort Dodge, 68
- Bryce Pauly, Davenport North, 67
- Cal Jepsen, Sioux City East, 65
- Ty Heydon, Coon Rapids-Bayard, 62
Pitching Wins
- Tyler Etten, Urbandale, 9
- Chase White, Dyersville Beckman Catholic, 7
- Colton Moffit, Baxter, 7
- Connor Mullenbach, Saint Ansgar, 6
- Aidan Nielsen, Don Bosco, 6
Earned Run Average (min. 18 innings pitched)
- Connor Mullenbach, Saint Ansgar, 0.00
- Luke Vestal, Pleasantville, 0.00
- Ryan Stedman, West Des Moines Valley, 0.24
- Will Litton, Iowa City Regina Catholic, 0.25
- Judd Jirovsky, Grundy Center, 0.26
Strikeouts
- Colton Moffit, Baxter, 85
- Brody Wangsness, North Butler, 75
- Lincoln Roethler, Denver, 71
- Owen Klocksiem, Louisa-Muscatine, 67
- Cooper Chizek, Emmetsburg, 65
Opponents Batting Average Against (min. 18 innings pitched)
- Macklin Loftus, Logan-Magnolia, .017
- Jack Wedemeier, Waverly-Shell Rock, .065
- Teagan Brunk, Shenandoah, .069
- Ryan Stedman, West Des Moines Valley, .072
- Bronx Siebersma, MVAOCOU, .075
Saves
- Beckham Simon, West Liberty, 4
- Deacon Kucera, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 4
- Graham Rima, Pleasant Valley, 4
- Gavin de Jesus, Waukee, 4
- Easton Goodwin, Waterloo Columbus Catholic, 3
Innings Pitched
- Colton Moffit, Baxter, 43
- Tyler Etten, Urbandale, 38.2
- Owen Galvin, Denison-Schleswig, 38
- Tallon Crandall, Carroll, 37.1
- Austin Remster, Melcher-Dallas, 37.1
Follow
How much rain does Des Moines get? See the 5 wettest days on record
Wondering how the rainfall total compares? Here are the five wettest days on record for Des Moines, Iowa.
Drought conditions in Iowa improved for a second consecutive week, though areas of moderate drought expanded in parts of the state.
The U.S. Drought Monitor offers a state-by-state tracking of drought conditions nationwide. New maps and forecasts are released each Thursday. What are the current drought conditions in Iowa?
U.S. Drought Monitor map: How much of Iowa is in a drought?
The latest Drought Monitor report, released on Thursday, June 18, showed about 46% of Iowa experiencing some form of drought. This continues the streak of conditions improving week to week in Iowa. The previous report, released on June 11, showed that 63% of the state was experiencing some form of drought.
The most recent report reflects conditions as of 8 a.m. June 16, right as storms were sweeping through Iowa, with parts of eastern Iowa seeing more than 2 inches of rainfall. Light rainfall on June 17 led to areas like Iowa City and Burlington reporting around an inch of rain.
Here is the breakdown of current drought conditions in Iowa:
- 61% of the state of Iowa is experiencing no drought conditions
- 39% of Iowa is experiencing abnormally dry conditions
- 7% of Iowa is experiencing moderate drought conditions
- 0% of Iowa is experiencing severe drought conditions
Even though drought conditions have improved overall in Iowa, the area experiencing moderate drought increased from the week of June 11, particularly in northern Iowa. Much of Cerro Gordo, Hancock and Kossuth counties are under D1 conditions, with nearby Palo Alto, Winnebago, Floyd and Mitchell also in moderate drought.
Pockets of moderate drought also persist along the northwest edge of Iowa in Lyon, Sioux and Plymouth counties. In eastern Iowa, Jackson, Clinton and Scott counties saw their moderate drought status ease week to week.
Most of the U.S. is facing drought conditions
About 73% of the U.S. is experiencing some level of drought, a 2-percentage-point improvement from the prior week. Some of the most intense drought conditions are in the southeast and the mountain west.
Iowa Drought Monitor tracks conditions weekly
The U.S. Drought Monitor offers a state-by-state tracking of drought conditions nationwide. New maps and forecasts are released each Thursday.
The intensity levels range from abnormally dry, or D0, to exceptional drought, or D4.
Typically with D0 conditions, corn can show drought stress. Pond levels start to decline under moderate drought conditions and soybeans abort pods, according to the Drought Monitor. The Drought Monitor also has a look-back chart that compares drought conditions from 3 months ago up to 1 year ago.
Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at cworth@gannett.com or follow him on X @CooperAWorth.
-
New York11 minutes agoVideo: The Democracy of The Dive Bar
-
Los Angeles, Ca16 minutes agoSweltering heat wave to grip Southern California next week
-
Detroit, MI34 minutes agoTop 10 ‘Hour Detroit’ Covers, As Voted By Readers
-
San Francisco, CA46 minutes agoInjured SFPD officer released from hospital after line-of-duty shooting
-
Dallas, TX49 minutes ago25,000 free Dallas teen passes available June 29 for museums, zoo and more
-
Miami, FL54 minutes ago3 wildfires burn over 20,000 acres in Miami-Dade ahead of long-awaited rain
-
Boston, MA1 hour agoBoston is opening outdoor drinking areas during the World Cup. Here’s how it works.
-
Denver, CO1 hour agoClaimed by Christ, Free in Him: Archbishop Golka Celebrates First Juneteenth Mass in Denver
