A student from the KILJ listening area is being recognized for academic achievement and community leadership. Abigail Schmidgall of Mediapolis High School has been awarded a 2026 Alliant Energy Innovation Scholarship.

Schmidgall was one of 25 high school seniors from Iowa and Wisconsin selected to receive the $1,000 scholarship, which helps support higher education expenses.

The annual scholarships recognize students for their academic success, leadership, volunteerism, and community involvement. Applicants were also required to submit an essay identifying a problem in their community and proposing a creative solution using science, technology, engineering, or mathematics—commonly known as STEM concepts.

Alliant Energy says the program is designed to encourage students pursuing skills needed in today’s workforce. Andy Kitslaar, Manager of Community Affairs for Alliant Energy, says investing in STEM learning and career readiness helps students prepare for high-demand careers while supporting the future workforce.

Schmidgall’s recognition highlights the strong academic talent and leadership coming from Southeast Iowa schools.

DES MOINES, Iowa (May 6, 2026) – The price of regular unleaded gasoline rose 39 cents from last week’s price and is currently averaging $4.23 across Iowa according to AAA.

Crude Oil Summary

• The price of global crude oil fell this week on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) by $10.19 per barrel, and is currently priced at $95.02.
• Brent crude oil fell by $15.26 and is currently priced at $101.94.
• One year ago, WTI crude sold for $60.42 and Brent crude was $62.37.

Motor Fuels

• As of Wednesday, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $4.23 across Iowa according to AAA.
  • Prices rose 39 cents from last week’s price and are up $1.30 from a year ago.
  • The national average on Wednesday was $4.54, up 31 cents from last week’s price.
• Retail diesel prices in Iowa rose 46 cents this week with a statewide average of $5.40.
  • One year ago, diesel prices averaged $3.31 in Iowa.
  • The current Iowa diesel price is 27 cents lower than the national average of $5.67.
• The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $3.22 for U87-E10, $3.67 for Unleaded 87 (clear), $4.25 for ULSD#2, $4.40 for ULSD#1, and $2.58 per gallon for E-70 prices.

Heating Fuels

• Natural gas prices were up 7 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $2.72 MMbtu.
• We will continue reporting retail heating oil and propane prices in Iowa in October.

Tips for saving energy on the road or at home are available at energy.gov and fueleconomy.gov.

A Keokuk man is facing a felony theft charge after authorities say he stole more than $1,700 worth of trading cards from the Walmart Supercenter over the course of a month.

According to court records, 39-year-old Taylor Dickens was arrested March 12 by the Burlington Police Department and charged with second-degree theft, a class D felony.

The investigation began Feb. 4 when the West Burlington Police Department responded to a report of shoplifting at Walmart. Loss prevention staff told officers Dickens was suspected of repeatedly under-ringing merchandise at self-checkout kiosks.

Police later reviewed 19 incident reports and security videos tied to alleged thefts occurring between Jan. 1 and Feb. 3. According to the criminal complaint, surveillance footage showed Dickens scanning some trading card packages while bagging additional packs that had not been paid for before leaving the store.

Authorities say the value of the stolen merchandise in each incident ranged from about $84 to more than $169, with the total loss estimated at $1,766.02.

Dickens was released from custody the day after his arrest after posting a $5,000 bond. Court records show he pleaded not guilty to the charge last month.

A pretrial conference is scheduled for Sept. 14 at the Des Moines County Courthouse, with a jury trial set to begin Sept. 29.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

A Burlington man accused of taking part in an armed robbery involving an AR-15 rifle is facing up to 25 years in prison if convicted.

Eighteen-year-old Marcus Rayschwan Givan was arrested Feb. 15 by the Burlington Police Department and charged with first-degree robbery, a class B felony. Authorities say Givan was 17 years old at the time of the alleged robbery in June of 2025.

According to court records, police responded to the 900 block of North 7th Street around 4:15 a.m. on June 7 after receiving a report of a robbery. The victim told officers they had arranged through Facebook Messenger to purchase assault rifle ammunition from another person.

The victim said when they arrived at the meeting location, another man pulled an AR-15 rifle from his sweatpants and pointed it at them before they fled the area.

Detectives later learned the victim had continued communicating with the alleged seller and arranged another meeting later that month to purchase the rifle itself. The victim told investigators they arrived with 260 dollars in cash toward the purchase when a masked man wearing black clothing again pulled out the rifle and pointed it at them. The victim said the suspects took the cash while threatening them before they ran away.

Investigators say a witness later told police that two men arrived at a Burlington residence shortly after the incident and discussed having robbed the victim. The witness identified one of the men as “Marcus Sanders,” who detectives later determined was Givan.

Court records show Givan pleaded not guilty in March. His trial, originally scheduled for this week, was continued at his request. A pretrial conference is now scheduled for June 29 at the Des Moines County Courthouse, with jury trial set for July 14.

Givan remains in custody at the Des Moines County Jail on a 25-thousand-dollar cash-only bond. He is represented by defense attorney Heidi Van Winkle.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Residents in West Point and Donnellson may notice additional patrols from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office over the next couple of months as the communities transition to a new police chief.

The extra patrol coverage follows the April retirement of former West Point Police Chief Brad Roberts. West Point employs the police chief and shares law enforcement services with Donnellson through a 28E agreement.

City leaders have selected Jackson Jones to succeed Roberts. Jones has previously served as a reserve officer under Roberts and is the grandson of former Lee County Sheriff Buck Jones.

West Point Mayor Gary Peitz said Jones was chosen as the best long-term fit for the city, although he has not yet completed formal police academy training. Because the department currently does not have a certified chief, reserve officers, including Jones and Jeff Abbey, are unable to patrol independently.

Peitz said the city plans to appoint Jones as interim chief while he completes preliminary training and prepares to attend the 16-week police academy this fall.

Lee County Sheriff Elliott Vandenberg confirmed deputies are temporarily providing full-time law enforcement coverage for both communities while Jones works toward academy qualification.

Vandenberg said the sheriff’s office has historically assisted the towns during nights and weekends and is now expanding that support at no additional cost. He added that the sheriff’s office is committed to ensuring residents continue receiving police protection throughout the transition.

Authorities have released additional details regarding a pedestrian accident Tuesday on U.S. Highway 34 near Church Street in Ottumwa.

According to the Iowa State Patrol, a westbound vehicle driven by 79-year-old Richard L. Hough of West Burlington was traveling near mile marker 189 when, for an unknown reason, a pedestrian reportedly ran into the roadway in front of the vehicle.

Investigators say the vehicle struck the pedestrian in the westbound lane before coming to a stop. Hough was not injured in the crash.

The pedestrian suffered injuries and was transported for medical treatment. Authorities are withholding the individual’s identity pending notification of family members.

The crash remains under investigation by the Iowa State Patrol with assistance from the Ottumwa Police Department, Wapello County Sheriff’s Office, Ottumwa Fire Department, ORMICS, AirCare, Cedar Rapids State Radio, and the Iowa Department of Transportation.