Gazette Daily News Podcast, February 1

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This is John McGlothlen with the Gazette digital news desk and I'm here with your update for Monday, February 1st.

The Cedar Rapids area received between 5 to 7 inches of snowfall through Sunday afternoon, according to local weather spotters. Today will be mostly cloudy, with a high near 28, and winds from the northwest around 10 mph. Tonight's low should be around 14.

Iowa's COVID-19 death toll took its bleakest leap ever Sunday when public health officials reported they confirmed another 250 deaths from the disease — bringing the state's total so far to 4,901. Data released Sunday morning does not show over what length of time the newly confirmed COVID-19 deaths occurred, but the Associated Press reported the deaths included many from December and January. Yet the new addition by itself is more than the total number of COVID-19 deaths recorded in Iowa in six of the roughly 10 months since the first death was reported here.

A Democratic state lawmaker from North Liberty said she has tested positive for COVID-19 and thinks she became infected at the Iowa Capitol, where Republicans have refused to mandate masks or require people to disclose positive cases. The announcement Saturday night by Rep. Amy Nielsen marked the first confirmed case among Iowa legislators, but there have been three other positive cases among people associated in the House since the legislative session began three weeks ago. One of those additional cases was announced Saturday by the House's chief clerk, but the infected person wasn't named.

In wrestling, the Hawkeyes defeated the Fighting Illini 36-6 in their dual at Carver-Hawkeye Arena Sunday. Iowa held a 23-5 takedown edge and a 71-29 advantage in total match points against Illinois.