Stories from surrounding communities, closest first.
Church News · Waukee, IA
Nearby: Waukee, IAAMES, Iowa — Protecting religious liberty is essential to regain the social cohesion that many feel has been weakened in the United States, Elder Alexander Dushku, a General Authority Seventy, said about religious liberty and human flourishing during the keynote address at the Iowa Religious Freedom Day Symposium on Oct. 15. Religious liberty fosters mutual respect, said Elder Dushku, who is also The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ general counsel. “When we protect one another’s freedom to believe and worship, we honor the inherent dignity of each person, and we build the trust and social cohesion essential in a pluralistic nation like ours, whose system of government requires us to work together.” The all-day symposium was co-sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Iowa State University’s Center for Cyclone Civics, among other local sponsors.
The Simpsonian · Indianola, IA
Nearby: Indianola, IAThe Simpson College volleyball team advanced to the American Rivers Conference semifinals after defeating Coe College 3-1 Tuesday night in Indianola. The Storm won the match 25-22, 19-25, 25-21 and 25-19 to secure their spot in the next round of the tournament. Simpson finished with 49 kills and a .159 hitting percentage, compared to Coe’s 38 kills and .090 hitting percentage. The Storm also recorded seven blocks, while holding the Kohawks to four. Simpson secured home-court advantage after finishing the regular season with an 18-9 record and a 4-3 conference record. Coe came into the match with a 10-18 record overall and a 3-4 record in conference play. Alongside their offensive dominance, they gained advantages in blocks and hitting percentage. Senior Emily Williams led the way with a team-high 17 total points, with 16 of those being kills. With a hitting percentage of .316, she was also able to add in six digs during the game.
The Simpsonian · Indianola, IA
Nearby: Indianola, IAIndianola Police Chief Rob Hawkins has retired effective immediately at 55-years-old, according to the city of Indianola. According to the Independent Advocate, this change in leadership was announced via email on Thursday, Nov. 5, from Indianola City Manager Jacob Meshke. Lieutenant Rick Largesse has taken over as acting chief of police for the Indianola Police Department. It is unclear what has prompted this sudden change. Hawkins had held the position for only 11 months after being named chief in December of 2025. Hawkins has been removed from the police department’s staff directory, and the city of Indianola has begun its recruitment process to find a permanent replacement. The Independent Advocate highlights Hawkins career. Sharing that he first became a law enforcement officer in 1997 with the Pella Police Department in Pella, Iowa. Hawkins later moved to Indianola’s Police Department in 2000, becoming chief of police in December.
Iowa Capital Dispatch · Ames, IA
Nearby: Ames, IACyRide, the bus system in Ames, has updated its firearms policy amid a lawsuit from an Iowa State University student who alleges the bus system’s former firearms ban went against Iowa code. In a Nov. 5 meeting, the Ames Transit Board unanimously adopted a motion to change CyRide policies “insofar as they prohibit the possession of firearms on transit vehicles” and instead place a notice for passengers that carrying a firearm on the ISU campus could violate university policy and state law, according to an email from CyRide Director Barbara Neal. The policy was brought under scrutiny by the Iowa Firearms Coalition and ISU junior Natalie Gibson, who currently has a petition filed in court against the City of Ames for the former firearms policy and is seeking damages. “We do not have further comment on the Board’s decision due to pending litigation on the subject,” Neal said in her email.
Texas Reporter · Williamson, IA
Nearby: Williamson, IAAn October review of Texas law enforcement reporting identified 44 matters involving alleged or confirmed misconduct, including 14 arrests during the month and at least seven newly filed professional standards complaints. The cases range from a Border Patrol agent charged with killing his wife to officers disciplined for dismissing a racial profiling complaint, failing to investigate calls for help and misusing surveillance technology. In Williamson County, newly obtained records prompted seven additional complaints alleging dishonesty, disparaging internal communications, possible misuse of driver’s-license information and failures in the sheriff’s office’s internal affairs process. Those seven complaints were verified through sent correspondence; they are not a statewide total. The review covers incidents and disciplinary matters reported or substantially updated Oct. 1-31.
