Kate Payne
Iowa Public Radio
Iowa City, IA, United States
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Past articles by Kate:
Cedar Rapids mayor's race heads to a runoff between Tiffany O'Donnell and Amara Andrews
The Cedar Rapids mayor’s race is headed to a runoff between businesswoman Amara Andrews and former TV anchor Tiffany O’Donnell. The city’s incumbent mayor Brad Hart fell short of qualifying for the runoff by a mere 24 votes. → Read More
DNR Finds Last Year's Derecho Damaged Or Destroyed 7 Million Trees Across Iowa
Last year’s powerful derecho damaged or destroyed an estimated seven million trees across Iowa, according to a new analysis released by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The storm decimated Iowa’s forests, mangling some of the state’s oldest and most majestic trees. → Read More
After 138 Years, Cedar Rapids Gazette Shifts Newspaper Printing To Des Moines
Tuesday is the last day that the Cedar Rapids Gazette will be printed locally. Shutting down the newspaper’s local printing press marks the end of an era. → Read More
Audit: Buchanan County Jail Holding Some Inmates Too Long, Releasing Others Too Early
An audit of the Buchanan County Jail has found officers there were improperly holding some inmates longer than they were sentenced and releasing others before they had finished their time. The audit found more than 100 instances where inmates were released a day or two early without proper authorization and 40 instances where inmates were held too long. → Read More
Report: It May Take Thousands Of Years To Reach Some Nutrient Reduction Goals In Iowa
It could take thousands of years to meet some of Iowa’s nutrient reduction goals if conservation efforts continue at current rates. That’s according to a recent analysis of the state’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy by the Iowa Environmental Council. → Read More
Shelter House Breaks Ground On New 'Housing First' Development
A homeless services organization in Iowa City officially broke ground on a new "housing first" project Thursday. The development will provide long-term supportive housing to people experiencing chronic homelessness regardless of drug or alcohol use. → Read More
Following Closing Statements, Jurors Begin Deliberations In Bahena Rivera Case
Jurors began their deliberations Thursday in the first degree murder trial of Cristhian Bahena Rivera, who is accused of killing University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts in 2018. He's pleaded not guilty and has alleged that two masked men abducted her and forced him at gunpoint to participate. → Read More
Bahena Rivera Takes The Stand, Blames Masked Men For Tibbetts' Death
Testifying in court Wednesday, Cristhian Bahena Rivera denied killing Mollie Tibbetts, instead blaming two masked and armed men for her disappearance and death. He claimed they forced him at gunpoint to participate, and then threatened his family, which he says prevented him from alerting law enforcement. → Read More
Defense Makes Opening Statements, Calls Witnesses In Bahena Rivera Trial
The defense made its opening statements Tuesday in the trial of Cristhian Bahena Rivera, who faces a first degree murder charge in the killing of Mollie Tibbetts. His attorneys sought to paint him as a hard-working immigrant and devoted father, and sought to cast doubt on others. → Read More
Prosecution Rests Its Case Against Cristhian Bahena Rivera
The state has rested its case against Cristhian Bahena Rivera, who faces a first degree murder charge in the 2018 killing of Mollie Tibbetts. The defense is slated to begin calling its witnesses on Tuesday. Jury deliberations are expected to begin this week. → Read More
Iowa State Prisons Ban Family Members, Third Parties From Sending Books To Inmates
Advocates and loved ones are speaking out about a new Iowa Department of Corrections policy that bans family, friends and third parties from sending to books to state prisons. Advocates say the step undermines inmates' basic rights and dignity and their efforts at rehabilitation. → Read More
Federal Judge Orders Jensen To Remain In Custody Due To 'Substantial Danger' He Poses To Public
A federal judge has ordered a Des Moines to remain in custody as he awaits trail for his alleged role in the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Doug Jensen has pleaded not guilty to the seven charges he faces. → Read More
Sixth Member Of Cedar Falls Human Rights Commission Resigns, Slamming Board For 'Inaction'
Another member of the Cedar Falls Human Rights Commission has resigned, the sixth member to do so in recent months. The turmoil comes after city leaders changed the board's mission from investigating discrimination complaints to focusing on education and outreach. → Read More
'Did I Do Enough?': A Cedar Rapids Meteorologist Reflects On The Derecho
The powerful derecho storm that hit Iowa on August 10 has been called unprecedented and unique. A Cedar Rapids meteorologist shared her account with IPR of forecasting the historic storm and where she thinks the National Weather Service warning system fell short. → Read More
Full Power Restoration In Iowa Will Take Days, Officials Warn
State officials are warning Iowans it may take days for power to be fully restored in the wake of Monday's rare and powerful derecho storm, which left a wide path of destruction through the state. → Read More
219 New COVID-19 Cases, 9 New Deaths Reported Wednesday
Follow the latest Iowa news in our Daily Digest, a liveblog where you can catch up on the headlines in five minutes and find more reporting from our news → Read More
355 New COVID-19 Cases, 7 New Deaths Reported Thursday
Follow the latest Iowa news in our Daily Digest, a liveblog where you can catch up on the headlines in five minutes and find more reporting from our news → Read More
392 New COVID-19 Cases, 3 More Deaths Reported Friday
Follow the latest Iowa news in our Daily Digest, a liveblog where you can catch up on the headlines in five minutes and find more reporting from our news → Read More
Sen. Ernst Supports Establishing Bipartisan Commission To Rename Army Bases
Follow the latest Iowa news in our Daily Digest, a liveblog where you can catch up on the headlines in five minutes and find more reporting from our news → Read More
Liveblog: State Officials Release Antibody Testing Numbers
In many Iowa counties, businesses and organizations are now deciding when and how to reopen. Summer festivals and events organizations are making decisions → Read More