Siblings Rescued after Iowa State Fair Ride's Mid-Air Malfunction

(DES MOINES, Iowa) -- Rescue crews sprung into action at the Iowa State Fair on Monday, after two siblings found themselves stuck in mid-air on one of the rides.

Officials say around 1 p.m. the Ejection Seat ride malfunctioned, resulting in a safety system kicking in and leaving Jenny Struder, 23, and her brother Derek, 17, stuck in the air, according to ABC's Des Moines affiliate WOI-TV. With the help of a crane, crews were able to get both siblings back on the ground safely approximately two hours after the malfunction. The pair was not injured in the incident.

Officials say the ride will be closed while an investigation is conducted into the malfunction, reports WOI-TV.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Iowa Leads Nation in Wind Power

(DES MOINES, Iowa) -- Iowa now gets 20 percent of its electricity from wind power, according to published reports.

The state's wind production is now the top in the nation, although Texas has more total installed wind power capacity.

The Des Moines utility company MidAmerican Energy is working on more wind projects later in 2011.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Iowa Sugarland Concert Canceled after Fatal Indiana Stage Collapse

(DES MOINES, Iowa) -- Seats were empty and 9,000 fans were disappointed after country music duo Sugarland canceled its Sunday night concert in Iowa, following a dramatic outdoor stage collapse in Indiana Saturday that left five people dead and nearly 40 injured.

ABC News Des Moines affiliate WOI-TV reports that the cancellation of the 8 p.m. concert left scores of Grandstand seats vacant and the Iowa State Fair empty Sunday.

Refunds will be given to those who purchased tickets to the event. Ticketmaster will refund those tickets purchased online or on the phone. Those tickets bought in person will need to be brought back to the place of purchase in order to be redeemed.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Rick Perry Campaign Heads to Iowa

(WATERLOO, Iowa) -- After formally declaring himself as a presidential contender over the weekend, Texas Governor Rick Perry arrived in Iowa on Sunday to kick off a three-day tour of the state.

"Because I have immense respect for the Iowa Caucuses, and the role you play in vetting the candidates for the rest of the nation, you can bet I will campaign in this state like my life depended upon it," said Perry in a statement.

Perry visited Waterloo on Sunday, and is scheduled to make stops in Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, and at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, all on Monday. The third day of the tour will see him stomping in Dubuque and Walcott.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Man Appears in Court for Wife's Murder

(ALLISON, Iowa) -- On Friday, a man accused of killing his wife appeared in court after being extradited from South Dakota.

Officials say Thomas Petersen, 38, stabbed his wife Judy Renee Petersen to death on June 4 and fled to South Dakota. He was arrested the next day.  His two-year-old son, who was with him, was recovered unharmed. Petersen was returned to Iowa on Thursday after two months in a South Dakota jail.

Petersen faces felony charges of first-degree murder and kidnapping. His bail was set at $500,000 and is due in court on August 22.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio