Iowa
These 13 Iowa beaches are not recommended for swimming due to high E. coli or algae
Don’t forget to check the water quality reports if you head to the beach this weekend. More than a few beaches are not recommended for swimming.
A total of 13 beaches are not recommended for swimming this week. High E. coli levels were reported at 12 beaches and high algal toxin levels were reported at two.
Wondering how can you check up on water monitoring, beach classifications and know what locations are open or closed? Iowa Department of Natural Resources tracks it all and updates the public weekly on its website and using a phone hotline at 515-725-3434.
The DNR collects weekly samples at 39 state-owned swimming beaches to determine the public’s risk of coming in contact with waterborne diseases. Testing starts a week prior to Memorial Day and runs through Labor Day.
What Iowa beaches are not recommended for swimming?
Backbone Lake
- Beach classification: Vulnerable
- Last test date: July 24
Beeds Lake
- Beach classification: Vulnerable
- Last test date: July 23
Black Hawk Lake
- Beach classification: Less vulnerable
- Last test date: July 23
Blue Lake
- Beach classification: Less vulnerable
- Last test date: July 23
Denison Beach
- Beach classification: Less vulnerable
- Last test date: July 23
George Wyth Lake
- Beach classification: Vulnerable
- Last test date: July 24
Lake Ahquabi
- Beach classification: Less vulnerable
- Last test date: July 24
Lake Darling
- Beach classification: Vulnerable
- Last test date: July 24
Lake of Three Fires
- Beach classification: Less vulnerable
- Last test date: July 24
Nine Eagles Lake
- Beach classification: Vulnerable
- Last test date: July 23
Pleasant Creek Lake
- Beach classification: Less vulnerable
- Last test date: July 24
Rock Creek Lake
- Beach classification: Less vulnerable
- Last test date: July 24
Union Grove Lake
- Beach classification: Vulnerable
- Last test date: July 24
West Okoboji Lake
- Beach classification: Vulnerable
- Last test date: July 24
What Iowa beaches have a special status?
Lake Keomah: Monitoring by DNR has been suspended for the 2024 season. The DNR expected to start draining the lake on July 9 for a major renovation and water quality improvement project that will last until spring 2026.
What Iowa beaches have improved to ‘OK for swimming’?
Three beaches previously considered “not recommended for swimming” in Week 9 data, posted on July 19, are now OK for swimming:
- Pheasant Creek Beach
- Emerson Bay Beach
- Denison Beach
How does the Iowa DNR classify Iowa’s beaches based on their water quality?
DNR officials classify state park beaches into one of three categories annually based on their history of bacteria results in recent years:
Vulnerable: Beaches are considered vulnerable when the geometric mean standard is exceeded in three or more of the five most recent sampling seasons.
Transitional: The beach’s geometric mean standard is exceeded in two or fewer sampling seasons of the five most recent years of monitoring and was listed as “vulnerable” in the past monitoring seasons.
Less vulnerable: The beach’s geometric mean standard is exceeded in two or fewer sampling seasons of the five most recent years of monitoring and was listed as “transitional” or “less vulnerable” in past monitoring seasons.
Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at vreynarodriguez@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter @VictoriaReynaR.
Iowa
How to watch Iowa State vs TCU today, time, TV channel for Week 11 college football game
Chase Sowell on Iowa State football’s mentality after four losses
Hear from Iowa State wide receiver Chase Sowell on how the Cyclones are handling four-straight losses and looking ahead to TCU.
Iowa State football continues its 2025 season on Saturday, Nov. 8, with a Big 12 Conference road game against TCU.
The Cyclones (5-4, 2-4 Big 12) have lost four straight games following a 5-0 start and are hoping to find some answers this week.
The Horned Frogs (6-2, 3-2) have won two straight contests, most recently 23-17 over West Virginia before enjoying a bye week last Saturday.
Here are details on how to watch head coach Matt Campbell’s group try to get back on track:
Stream Iowa State vs. TCU for free on FUBO
What channel is Iowa State vs. TCU on today?
Iowa State vs. TCU will broadcast nationally on FOX in Week 11 of the 2025 college football season. Connor Onion and Mark Helfrich will call the game from the booth at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
Streaming options for the game include FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
- Date: Saturday, Nov. 8
- Start time: 2:30 p.m. CT
The Iowa State vs. TCU game starts at 2:30 p.m. CT from Amon G. Carter Stadium in Forth Worth, Texas.
Stream Iowa State vs. TCU on FUBO (free trial)
Iowa State vs. TCU prediction, picks, betting odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Friday evening.
- TCU 35, Iowa State 21. “The Cyclones’ haven’t been all-awful during this four-game stretch, but Saturday’s performance against Arizona State, plus the defensive injuries, are concerning. I think it’s probably best to doubt Iowa State until the Cyclones can prove otherwise.” – Travis Hines (full prediction column)
- Spread: Iowa State +7.5
- Moneyline: Iowa State +235, TCU -290
- Over/under: 57.5
To see a full list of ticket prices, visit StubHub.
Buy Iowa State football tickets
Iowa
Kim Reynolds creates task force to plan America’s 250th birthday celebration. Who’s on it?
Trump announces ‘America250’ celebration, says 2026 Iowa event planned
A part of the “America250” celebration, Trump said an event dubbed “The Great American State Fair” will start in Iowa.
Gov. Kim Reynolds has named a task force to prepare Iowa to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence next year.
Reynolds signed an executive order on Nov. 6 creating the task force, named the Governor’s Task Force on Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday, which will be led by Lt. Gov. Chris Cournoyer and Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig.
In a statement, Reynolds said she was honored to launch the task force.
“Ever since President Donald Trump visited the Iowa State Fairgrounds to kick off the 250th celebration, my administration has been working to coordinate our own year-long celebration,” she said. “I look forward to showcasing the incredible contributions Iowans have made throughout our nation’s history.”
Trump visited the Iowa State Fairgrounds on July 3 for an event kicking off America250, the national yearlong celebration of the nation’s semiquincentennial, leading to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.
“Iowa has a prominent place in American history more than deserving of displaying for our country’s 250th birthday,” Cournoyer said in a statement. “I want to thank Gov. Reynolds for appointing me to lead this task force with the goal of acknowledging Iowa’s impact on American excellence over the years.”
Naig said he was grateful to help lead the task force.
“America 250 is an incredible opportunity to celebrate the people who have and continue to make our nation exceptional, as well as the values that built this country — faith, family and freedom,” he said. “I look forward to working with partners across the state to highlight Iowa’s important contributions to our nation’s history over the last 250 years.”
Twenty-one Iowans will serve on the task force, including four ex officio members made up of a Republican and Democratic lawmaker from the Iowa House and Senate, who will be appointed by their legislative leaders.
The remaining members of the task force are:
- Lt. Governor Chris Cournoyer
- Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig
- Secretary of State Paul Pate
- Department of Administrative Services Director Mark Campbell
- Department of Management Director Kraig Paulsen
- Department of Economic Development and Iowa Finance Authority Director Debi Durham
- Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow
- Department of Natural Resources Director Kayla Lyon
- Iowa National Guard Major General Stephen Osborn
- Department of Veterans Affairs Director Todd Jacobus
- Iowa State Fair CEO Jeremy Parsons
- Member selected by the Iowa Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution
- Member selected by the Iowa Society of the Sons of the American Revolution
- The FAMiLY Leader President and CEO Bob Vander Plaats
- RMA Armament Founder and CEO Blake Waldrop
- Stellar Industries President and CEO Dave Zrostlik
- Cambrex (Charles City) President Joe Nettleton
Reynolds’ executive order directs the task force to issue a report within 120 days detailing plans for the country’s anniversary celebrations in Iowa.
Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on X at @sgrubermiller.
Iowa
Iowa women’s basketball recruit Jenica Lewis commits to Notre Dame
After a hard push by Iowa women’s basketball, in-state 2026 five-star shooting guard prospect Jenica Lewis announced on Thursday night her commitment to Notre Dame. Lewis chose the Irish over fellow finalists Iowa, Oregon, and TCU.
Lewis had long been one of the Hawkeyes’ most sought-after prospects in the 2026 class and she took an official visit to Iowa City on Oct. 25 late in the process. While the Hawkeyes hoped to add the Johnston, Iowa, native as their second 2026 commit alongside fellow five-star McKenna Woliczko, Iowa instead finishes as one of the four finalists.
“From every moment, every game, every dream – it all fits. Committed to Notre Dame,” Lewis wrote in her X announcement.
Lewis is the nation’s No. 22 overall recruit, the No. 4 shooting guard, and the No. 1 prospect in the state of Iowa, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings. Per Rivals, Lewis is the nation’s No. 21 player, the No. 5 combo guard, and No. 1 player in the state in 2026, while ESPN rates Lewis as the country’s No. 24 player overall.
At Johnston High School, she was honored as the 2024-25 Iowa MaxPreps High School Girls Basketball Player of the Year after averaging 18 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.5 steals per game on 47% shooting from the field, 35% from 3-point range, and 88% from the free-throw line.
With Lewis off the board, the Hawkeyes and their fans will have their eyes locked in on the upcoming recruiting battle for five-star forward Addison Bjorn, as the program tries to secure at least two of their three high-profile 2026 targets.
Bjorn is scheduled to take her final official visit to Kansas this weekend and has yet to release an intended commitment date.
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 Scout on X: @SpringgateNews
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