The Gazette Daily News Podcast, April 30

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Spring weather in Iowa is a combination of turbulent chaos and pleasant tranquility. Thursday will be a nice change back to the tranquil side of things. According to the National Weather Service, the Cedar Rapids area will see sunny and clear skies Thursday, with a high of 66 degrees. Wind speeds will also continue to calm as the day goes on.On the day Iowa reported its highest death total from COVID-19 so far, Governor Kim Reynolds continued to defend her decision to lift many restrictions on businesses and religious services in much of the state starting Friday, while still encouraging more limited forms of social distancing.

Reynolds said she went against recommendations from University of Iowa researchers to keep the state restricted statewide because many counties in the state have few coronavirus cases, while 22 have the vast majority. These 22 will be the counties where restrictions remain in place, currently until May 15th, while the remaining 77 counties will see the reopening of several businesses with recommended safety restrictions by the end of the week.

Reynolds said she is confident increased testing will allow the state to contain the disease as it spreads. 12 people were reported to have died from the disease on Wednesday, while the confirmed case total increased to 6,843.

A 12-year-old girl sustained a minor gunshot wound from stray bullets early Wednesday morning in northwest Cedar Rapids. According to the Cedar Rapids Police Department, officers responded at about 2:45 a.m. to the 1300 block of B Avenue NW for reports of shots fired in the area. When they arrived, police said they located the girl there, and that she did not need further medical attention. Public safety spokesperson Greg Buelow said officers found that two bullets had traveled through the bedroom window of a residence, injuring the young girl, who was inside.

He didn't get the postseason he wanted, but Iowa wrestling's Spencer Lee continues to do well in the award season. After raking in several awards from the wrestling world, Lee is now the first University of Iowa wrestler to win the AAU James E. Sullivan Award, presented to the country's most outstanding amateur athlete.

The winners for the annual award, first started in 1930, were announced online Wednesday night. Lee shared the honor with University of Oregon basketball star Sabrina Ionescu. The winner is determined by public vote, media vote, and committee vote.

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