News Headlines for July 7, 2026

WEST DES MOINES — Police have arrested an 18-year-old Des Moines man after a July 4 shooting at a suburban Iowa party left a 17-year-old Ankeny girl dead.

MASON CITY — A Mason City man with multiple recent assault-related court cases is again behind bars after police say a July 4 assault left a victim with visible injuries, raised fears that he was armed with a gun and forced officers to lock down part of a neighborhood on North President Avenue.

At his plea hearing, the convict admitted that between January 2021 and August 2022, he possessed and received visual depictions of child pornography. Federal prosecutors said the material included prepubescent minors and children under the age of 12.

The case unfolded after law enforcement executed a search warrant and discovered 20 electronic devices containing child sexual abuse material. A forensic review of the devices found nearly one million images of child pornography, prosecutors said. Some of the material involved sadistic or masochistic conduct, as well as infants and toddlers.

A Colombian national visiting the United States for the FIFA World Cup was jailed in Iowa after deputies say he hit 90 mph on an Interstate highway, refused to stop and led law enforcement on a 10-mile pursuit.

MASON CITY — A Northern Iowa woman was arrested early July 4 after police say her alleged impaired driving caused a destructive crash that tore the rear bumper off another vehicle in Mason City.

WASHINGTON — A Minnesota pardon granted to a man convicted of sexually abusing a 10-year-old girl has sparked national outrage from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and renewed debate across the Upper Midwest over immigration enforcement, criminal justice and public safety.

DHS announced July 1 that Tou Lue Vang (pictured at top), a Laotian national, was granted a pardon June 10 by Minnesota’s clemency process after a 2006 conviction for first-degree criminal sexual conduct. Federal officials said Vang had been facing imminent removal from the United States and warned that the pardon could interfere with deportation efforts.

CLEAR LAKE — A Mason City man whose name surfaced years ago in NIT coverage of alleged juvenile gang activity is now accused of bringing fresh chaos to one of Clear Lake’s biggest public celebration of the year.
Darrius Rayshawn Bolden, 25, was arrested late Saturday, July 4, 2026, after police say a handgun was displayed during a fight near the city’s downtown park, where thousands had gathered for July Fourth festivities.

An Iowa man is accused of shooting and killing his own mother inside the rural home they shared.

MASON CITY — A northern Iowa woman accused of drunk driving, putting a child at substantial risk and assaulting a person in a protected occupation has pleaded not guilty and is potentially headed toward trial.