Florida’s former gambling helpline director just got sentenced to nearly 10 years in prison for stealing $1.4 million to fund his own gambling addiction. Philip Lee Sullivan, 43, was the director of the state’s 888-ADMIT-IT helpline — the number people call when they need help with gambling problems. While awaiting trial, he took the job and spoke with hundreds of addicts. He previously worked as CFO at a Panama City company, where he used corporate credit cards to steal roughly $1.4M over 11 months. He pleaded no contest and was ordered to pay nearly $1.5M in restitution.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand has withdrawn from Wednesday’s scheduled debate against Republican Zach Lahn following a family tragedy. Lahn’s campaign confirmed the development Monday, saying it supports Sand’s decision and will work with Iowa PBS to reschedule the debate. “Some things are bigger than politics,” Lahn’s campaign said, while asking Iowans to keep Sand and his family in their prayers. No new debate date has been announced.

DES MOINES, Iowa — More than 400 cold cases remain under investigation in Iowa, and new funding could help investigators uncover answers in cases that have gone unsolved for years. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird announced Monday that the Attorney General’s Office Cold Case Unit has received a $15,000 Community Betterment Grant from the Prairie Meadows Board of Directors. The funding will support advanced DNA testing as investigators work alongside local law enforcement agencies to revisit unresolved cases across the state. Bird said the additional resources could help investigators pursue new leads and potentially bring long-awaited answers to families and communities. The Cold Case Unit works with law enforcement agencies throughout Iowa to give unsolved investigations renewed attention. For families who have spent years waiting for answers, advances in DNA technology could offer another opportunity for progress. Do you believe Iowa should invest more resources into solving decades-old cold cases?

DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa U.S. Senate candidate Josh Turek did not cast votes on three occasions in 2024 when state lawmakers considered legislation targeting AI-generated sexual images, including sexually explicit deepfakes involving children. Iowa House voting records show the Council Bluffs Democrat did not vote on two bills that passed with overwhelming bipartisan support and were later signed into law. The records raise questions about his absences as he campaigns for a seat in the U.S. Senate.

Let's talk about something that probably doesn't get talked about enough — frustrating business software. Whether you're running a small shop, restaurant, construction company, or another type of business, chances are you've dealt with technology that makes your job harder instead of easier. We want to know: What's ONE software program, app, or business service that drives you crazy? Maybe it's an overpriced billing system, complicated scheduling software, unreliable inventory management, or a program that simply doesn't do what you need it to do. What are you currently using, and what would you change about it? We're interested in learning about the challenges Iowa businesses face and exploring how better solutions could be developed right here in Iowa. Business owners and managers, let's hear from you in the comment

DES MOINES, Iowa — Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Monday that her husband, First Gentleman Kevin Reynolds, is once again battling cancer after three years of remission. Kevin Reynolds is recovering from surgery to remove a tumor from his brain and is expected to begin radiation therapy. In an emotional statement, the governor reflected on their 44 years of marriage and the challenges they have faced together. "Kevin and I are a strong team," Reynolds said, adding that their family will face this latest battle with "faith, hope, and love." The governor also expressed her appreciation for the prayers and support of Iowans.

WEBSTER COUNTY, Iowa — A DRIVER VANISHES FROM A CRASH SCENE, AND A DRONE HELPS DEPUTIES FIND THEM. When Webster County deputies arrived at a crash near Harcourt over the weekend, they couldn't locate anyone who had been inside the vehicle. The severity of the crash raised concerns that the driver may have been thrown from the vehicle. Deputies turned to a drone equipped with thermal imaging technology to search the surrounding area. What they discovered brought a welcome outcome to a potentially dangerous situation. The driver was located and found uninjured. Photo: Webster County Sheriff's Offic

Warmer Days, Cool Nights Ahead for Iowa! Iowa is in for a stretch of warmer, mild weather, with daytime temperatures climbing into the 70s and overnight lows dipping into the 40s in some areas. It's a welcome taste of warmer fall weather, but you'll still want a jacket when heading out early in the morning or later in the evening. Iowa Pulse meteorologist Alex Kerkhove has the latest on what Iowans can expect in the days ahead. Watch the latest Iowa Pulse weather update for the full forecast!

The road to the UNI-Dome begins Friday, Oct. 23, as Iowa high school football teams prepare for the opening round of the state playoffs. Several Southwest Iowa teams are headed into postseason action, including Clarinda, Bedford, Riverside, Audubon, Shenandoah, Treynor and Underwood. Clarinda will host Pella Christian, while Bedford welcomes Fremont-Mills in a highly anticipated regional matchup. Riverside, Audubon and several other area programs will also have home-field advantage as they fight to keep their seasons alive. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday.

EARLVILLE, Iowa — A brutal killing on an Iowa farm shocked the state in 2018. Now, nearly eight years later, the case is back in the national spotlight. Todd Mullis was convicted of murdering his wife, Amy, with a corn rake and sentenced to life in prison. But his son, who discovered his mother's body at just 13 years old, is speaking out in a new CBS 48 Hours interview, insisting his father is innocent. Now 21, Trysten Mullis is challenging key evidence and testimony that helped convict his father. A judge rejected Todd Mullis' latest attempt to overturn his conviction earlier this year.

WICHITA, Kan. — New details have emerged after a pickup truck drove through a youth soccer game at the Stryker Sports Complex on Saturday afternoon, killing two people and injuring several others. The victims have been identified by age as a 6-year-old boy and a 35-year-old adult. The two were not related, according to police. Authorities said the driver is a 34-year-old woman from Garden City, Kansas, who is cooperating with investigators. Two juveniles were passengers in the truck when the incident occurred. Several other people were transported to area hospitals. Police continue to investigate what led to the deadly incident. Authorities have not established whether the driver's actions were intentional. #Wichita #Kansas #BreakingNews #IowaPulse #StrykerSportsComplex

A child and an adult died Saturday afternoon after a truck drove through a youth soccer game at Stryker Sports Complex in Wichita, striking multiple people, according to police. iowaspulse.com/wichita-socce…

SAC COUNTY, Iowa — A Sac County sheriff’s deputy's patrol vehicle was struck by a distracted driver while deputies were investigating a separate crash involving a vehicle and a deer on Highway 20. According to the Sac County Sheriff's Office, the patrol vehicle had been parked a safe distance behind the original crash scene to slow approaching traffic and encourage motorists to move over. Despite those precautions, a distracted driver struck the deputy's patrol car. The incident highlights the dangers law enforcement officers and other first responders face while working along Iowa highways.

Iowa's traffic death toll continues to climb, with 228 people killed on the state's roadways through Oct. 16, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation. That's 10 more deaths than at the same point last year, an increase of nearly 5%. August has been the deadliest month of 2026 so far, but the statewide numbers reveal another important trend: Despite the increase over last year, Iowa remains well below its five-year average. The latest figures offer a closer look at when traffic fatalities have occurred and how 2026 compares with previous years.