Podcasts about The Des Moines Register

On September fifth, nineteen eighty two, twelve year old Johnny Gosch walked out of his West Des Moines home before dawn to deliver newspapers and vanished without a trace. His case changed America forever, leading to the first missing child on a milk carton and landmark legislation that transformed how we handle abducted children.But the story most people know barely scratches the surface of what really happened.In this episode of The Redacted Report, we dig into the buried facts, the covered-up connections, and the questions that powerful people have spent four decades trying to silence.We begin with Police Chief Orval Cooney, the man tasked with finding Johnny. What most people don't know is that Cooney had a violent past, including a nineteen fifty one assault conviction. Just months before Johnny disappeared, eighteen of his own officers went on record accusing him of brutality, harassment, and drinking on duty. When volunteers searched for Johnny, witnesses say Cooney climbed onto a picnic table and told everyone to go home, calling the missing boy a damn runaway. He stonewalled the family at every turn until his sudden death in two thousand three, just as a lawsuit was about to expose what he knew. Then there's the newspaper itself. Johnny delivered papers for the Des Moines Register, the same company that employed Frank Sykora, who admitted to molesting at least seven paperboys, and Wilbur Millhouse, a former circulation manager found with a list of twenty two hundred boys' names when he was arrested. Millhouse reportedly told people for years that he knew who took Johnny and why. We examine the chilling prediction made two months before thirteen year old Eugene Martin vanished in nineteen eighty four. According to Noreen Gosch, a private investigator warned her another paperboy would be taken the second weekend of August on the south side of Des Moines. She passed this information to authorities. They did nothing. Eugene disappeared exactly when and where predicted. The episode explores the proof of life that emerged after Johnny's abduction. A confirmed sighting in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where investigators said a boy crying for help was positively identified as Johnny. A dollar bill with his authenticated signature surfacing in Sioux City three years later. Signs that Johnny was alive, somewhere, trying to send a message. We dive deep into the Franklin Credit Union scandal and the testimony of Paul Bonacci, who claimed he was forced to participate in Johnny's kidnapping. Bonacci knew physical details about Johnny that weren't public knowledge. A federal judge ruled his testimony truthful and awarded him one million dollars in a civil judgment. Yet police never interviewed him about the Gosch case.he investigation into Franklin led to tragedy. State investigator Gary Caradori was collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, building a case against powerful people. On July eleventh, nineteen ninety, his plane came apart in midair over an Illinois cornfield. He and his eight year old son were killed. His briefcase of newly obtained evidence was never recovered. A documentary about the scandal called Conspiracy of Silence was pulled from the Discovery Channel before it could air. We trace the trafficking network run by John David Norman, a career predator whose operations spanned decades. His thirty thousand customer index cards were sent to the State Department and destroyed. His associate Phillip Paske worked for John Wayne Gacy. Investigators following witness testimony found an abandoned Colorado ranch with a hidden underground chamber and children's initials carved into the walls. The episode covers Noreen Gosch's claim that Johnny visited her in nineteen ninety seven, fifteen years after his disappearance, and the mysterious envelope of photographs left on her doorstep in two thousand six showing bound and gagged children, one of whom she believes is her son. Johnny Gosch would be fifty five years old today. No arrests have ever been made. No body has ever been found. The West Des Moines Police Department still refuses to release their complete case file. Someone knows what happened that September morning. Someone drove the blue Ford Fairmont. Someone flicked that dome light three times. And someone has kept this secret for over four decades. This is the story they buried. This is The Redacted Report.

Heather Burnside and Alec Busse live form Jordan Creek Town Center with Variety Radiothon! Tommy Birch from Des Moines Register on CyHawk women's game last night! Stuart Ruddy from Variety! Radiothon co-chair Kim Hegedus! Danny Beyer! Alison Hanner from Variety!

On March 13, 2020, a long-simmering domestic conflict in Des Moines, Iowa, erupted into fatal violence. Paula Marie Thompson, a 50-year-old claims processor, was beaten to death with a crowbar by her adult son Christopher inside the home they shared on Pleasantview Drive. Her body would not be discovered until five days later.VICTIM PROFILE:Paula Thompson was 50 years old at the time of her death. She worked as a claims processor and was known among friends and coworkers as hardworking and responsible. Behind closed doors, however, Paula struggled with a volatile home situation. Her 32-year-old son Christopher still lived with her, financially dependent on her despite years of unemployment and sporadic work through temporary agencies. Paula had confided to friends that she was afraid of Christopher, tired of the drinking, and tired of supporting an adult who showed no progress toward independence.CASE SIGNIFICANCE:This case represents a devastating example of domestic violence that did not arrive suddenly. Paula Thompson spent months warning the people around her. She told friends she was afraid. She contacted her son's probation officer multiple times between December 2019 and March 2020, expressing growing fear. She even appeared in a Facebook video whispering to a friend that Christopher was "going to kill" her. Despite these warnings, Paula could not escape the danger living inside her own home.CONTENT WARNINGS:This episode contains descriptions of domestic violence, blunt force trauma, and animal cruelty. Listener discretion is advised.KEY CASE DETAILS:• Paula and Christopher argued on March 13, 2020, both having been drinking. Christopher retrieved a crowbar and struck his mother multiple times in the head. He remained in the home with her body for five days before confessing to a friend over the phone.• Christopher also killed Paula's cat with the same crowbar, later disposing of the animal's body in a trash can. He pleaded guilty to animal abuse in addition to the murder charge.• On March 18, 2020, Christopher walked into the Polk County Jail and confessed. He was subsequently found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.RESOURCES:This episode draws from court documents filed in Polk County, Iowa, including criminal complaints and the Iowa Supreme Court opinion in State v. Thompson. Additional sources include reporting from KCCI Des Moines, KCRG, and the Des Moines Register. For anyone experiencing domestic violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-799-7233.SUPPORT OBSCURA:For extended episodes, bonus content, and ad-free listening, join us on Patreon at patreon.com/obscuracrimepodcast. Visit mythsandmalice.com/show/obscura for episode resources, sources, and additional case information.Our Sponsors:* Check out Chime: https://chime.com/OBSCURA* Check out Kensington Publishing: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com* Check out Mind of a Monster: The Killer Nurse: https://podcasts.apple.com* Check out Mood and use my code OBSCURA for a great deal: https://mood.com* Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/obscura-a-true-crime-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On September 5, 1982, 12-year-old paperboy Johnny Gosch left his West Des Moines home before dawn to deliver the Des Moines Register—and never returned. His red wagon was found two blocks away, still loaded with undelivered papers. Witnesses reported Johnny speaking with a stocky man near a blue two-toned car, and another man seen trailing him moments later. Within minutes, Johnny vanished.In this episode, we dig into one of America's most chilling missing-child cases—and the fallout that changed the country. We reconstruct Johnny's last morning, then unravel an investigation marked by early missteps and delays that fueled Noreen Gosch's relentless campaign for reform. Her advocacy helped end mandatory waiting periods for missing-child cases through the Johnny Gosch Bill and contributed to the broader national push that led to the creation of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. We also examine the haunting pattern of other Des Moines-area disappearances, including paperboy Eugene Martin in 1984 and Marc Allen in 1986—cases still unsolved and often viewed through the same lens of fear and possibility. The story takes darker, more controversial turns: the testimony of trafficking survivor Paul Bonacci, who said he was forced to participate in Johnny's abduction and later won a civil judgment after a federal judge found his account credible; Noreen's claim that an adult Johnny visited her in March 1997; and the disputed photographs left at her home in 2006. We lay out what's alleged, what's documented, and why the case remains so fiercely debated.Finally, we cover Noreen Gosch's updated allegations naming John David Norman and Phillip Paske as potential perpetrators—claims that remain unproven but continue to shape public theories about the case. As of 2025, Johnny Gosch has been missing for more than 43 years. No arrests. No confirmed sightings. Just a family still searching and a case that refuses to die.

Chad Leistikow from the Des Moines Register talks all things Iowa Hawkeyes.

Chad Leistikow from the Des Moines Register talks Iowa Hawkeyes.

Birthdays, Obituaries, Opinions, Sports and more from The Des Moines Register and USA Today. The volunteer Voices of IRIS read newspapers aloud to keep over 11,000 blind and print disabled listeners informed and connected to their communities. Learn more at IowaRadioReading.org

Front Page, Metro and National News articles from The Des Moines Register and USA Today. The volunteer Voices of IRIS read newspapers aloud to keep over 11,000 blind and print disabled listeners informed and connected to their communities. Learn more at IowaRadioReading.org

Front Page, Metro and National News articles from The Des Moines Register and USA Today. The volunteer Voices of IRIS read newspapers aloud to keep over 11,000 blind and print disabled listeners informed and connected to their communities. Learn more at IowaRadioReading.org

Birthdays, Obituaries, Opinions, Sports and more from The Des Moines Register and USA Today. The volunteer Voices of IRIS read newspapers aloud to keep over 11,000 blind and print disabled listeners informed and connected to their communities. Learn more at IowaRadioReading.org

Birthdays, Obituaries, Opinions, Sports and more from The Des Moines Register and USA Today. The volunteer Voices of IRIS read newspapers aloud to keep over 11,000 blind and print disabled listeners informed and connected to their communities. Learn more at IowaRadioReading.org

Front Page, Metro and National News articles from The Des Moines Register and USA Today. The volunteer Voices of IRIS read newspapers aloud to keep over 11,000 blind and print disabled listeners informed and connected to their communities. Learn more at IowaRadioReading.org

Chris Jones might run for office, gas station misandry, and the Des Moines Register printed some super racist shit. Let's end November with a bang. Call us at (319) 849-8733! Go here for full episode notes: https://www.patreon.com/posts/144745224 https://rockhardcauc.us

Birthdays, Obituaries, Opinions, Sports and more from The Des Moines Register and USA Today. The volunteer Voices of IRIS read newspapers aloud to keep over 11,000 blind and print disabled listeners informed and connected to their communities. Learn more at IowaRadioReading.org

Front Page, Metro and National News articles from The Des Moines Register and USA Today. The volunteer Voices of IRIS read newspapers aloud to keep over 11,000 blind and print disabled listeners informed and connected to their communities. Learn more at IowaRadioReading.org

Articles from The Des Moines Register and USA Today.  The volunteer Voices of IRIS read newspapers aloud to keep over 11,000 blind and print disabled listeners informed and connected to their communities.  Learn more at IowaRadioReading.org

Front Page, Metro and National News articles from The Des Moines Register and USA Today. The volunteer Voices of IRIS read newspapers aloud to keep over 11,000 blind and print disabled listeners informed and connected to their communities. Learn more at IowaRadioReading.org

Birthdays, Obituaries, Opinions, Sports and more from The Des Moines Register and USA Today. The volunteer Voices of IRIS read newspapers aloud to keep over 11,000 blind and print disabled listeners informed and connected to their communities. Learn more at IowaRadioReading.org

Birthdays, Obituaries, Opinions, Sports and more from The Des Moines Register and USA Today. The volunteer Voices of IRIS read newspapers aloud to keep over 11,000 blind and print disabled listeners informed and connected to their communities. Learn more at IowaRadioReading.org

Front Page, Metro and National News articles from The Des Moines Register and USA Today. The volunteer Voices of IRIS read newspapers aloud to keep over 11,000 blind and print disabled listeners informed and connected to their communities. Learn more at IowaRadioReading.org

Jacqueline Cordova and Ben Visser preview the 2025 Cy-Hawk dual while highlighting the key matches for the Cyclones. Eli McKown of the Des Moines Register joins the program to discuss the Hawkeyes and more. Presented by Fareway Meat & Grocery. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chad Leistikow from the Des Moines Register talks Iowa Hawkeyes.

Birthdays, Obituaries, Opinions, Sports and more from The Des Moines Register and USA Today. The volunteer Voices of IRIS read newspapers aloud to keep over 11,000 blind and print disabled listeners informed and connected to their communities. Learn more at IowaRadioReading.org

Front Page, Metro and National News articles from The Des Moines Register and USA Today. The volunteer Voices of IRIS read newspapers aloud to keep over 11,000 blind and print disabled listeners informed and connected to their communities. Learn more at IowaRadioReading.org

Birthdays, Obituaries, Opinions, Sports and more from The Des Moines Register and USA Today. The volunteer Voices of IRIS read newspapers aloud to keep over 11,000 blind and print disabled listeners informed and connected to their communities. Learn more at IowaRadioReading.org

Front Page, Metro and National News articles from The Des Moines Register and USA Today. The volunteer Voices of IRIS read newspapers aloud to keep over 11,000 blind and print disabled listeners informed and connected to their communities. Learn more at IowaRadioReading.org

Birthdays, Obituaries, Opinions, Sports and more from The Des Moines Register and USA Today. The volunteer Voices of IRIS read newspapers aloud to keep over 11,000 blind and print disabled listeners informed and connected to their communities. Learn more at IowaRadioReading.org

Front Page, Metro and National News articles from The Des Moines Register and USA Today. The volunteer Voices of IRIS read newspapers aloud to keep over 11,000 blind and print disabled listeners informed and connected to their communities. Learn more at IowaRadioReading.org

Birthdays, Obituaries, Opinions, Sports and more from The Des Moines Register and USA Today. The volunteer Voices of IRIS read newspapers aloud to keep over 11,000 blind and print disabled listeners informed and connected to their communities. Learn more at IowaRadioReading.org

Front Page, Metro and National News articles from The Des Moines Register and USA Today. The volunteer Voices of IRIS read newspapers aloud to keep over 11,000 blind and print disabled listeners informed and connected to their communities. Learn more at IowaRadioReading.org

Articles from The Des Moines Register and USA Today.  The volunteer Voices of IRIS read newspapers aloud to keep over 11,000 blind and print disabled listeners informed and connected to their communities.  Learn more at IowaRadioReading.org

Front Page, Metro and National News articles from The Des Moines Register and USA Today. The volunteer Voices of IRIS read newspapers aloud to keep over 11,000 blind and print disabled listeners informed and connected to their communities. Learn more at IowaRadioReading.org

Birthdays, Obituaries, Opinions, Sports and more from The Des Moines Register and USA Today. The volunteer Voices of IRIS read newspapers aloud to keep over 11,000 blind and print disabled listeners informed and connected to their communities. Learn more at IowaRadioReading.org

Articles from The Des Moines Register and USA Today.  The volunteer Voices of IRIS read newspapers aloud to keep over 11,000 blind and print disabled listeners informed and connected to their communities.  Learn more at IowaRadioReading.org

Birthdays, Obituaries, Opinions, Sports and more from The Des Moines Register and USA Today. The volunteer Voices of IRIS read newspapers aloud to keep over 11,000 blind and print disabled listeners informed and connected to their communities. Learn more at IowaRadioReading.org

Front Page, Metro and National News articles from The Des Moines Register and USA Today. The volunteer Voices of IRIS read newspapers aloud to keep over 11,000 blind and print disabled listeners informed and connected to their communities. Learn more at IowaRadioReading.org

The Des Moines Register's Travis Hines and Eugene Rapay discuss Iowa State's return to the field Saturday against Kansas after the third and final bye week of the season. Plus, the two talk men's hoops and the Player's Era Festival.

Birthdays, Obituaries, Opinions, Sports and more from The Des Moines Register and USA Today. The volunteer Voices of IRIS read newspapers aloud to keep over 11,000 blind and print disabled listeners informed and connected to their communities. Learn more at IowaRadioReading.org

Front Page, Metro and National News articles from The Des Moines Register and USA Today. The volunteer Voices of IRIS read newspapers aloud to keep over 11,000 blind and print disabled listeners informed and connected to their communities. Learn more at IowaRadioReading.org

Chad Leistikow from the Des Moines Register talks Iowa Hawkeyes.

Birthdays, Obituaries, Opinions, Sports and more from The Des Moines Register and USA Today. The volunteer Voices of IRIS read newspapers aloud to keep over 11,000 blind and print disabled listeners informed and connected to their communities. Learn more at IowaRadioReading.org

Front Page, Metro and National News articles from The Des Moines Register and USA Today. The volunteer Voices of IRIS read newspapers aloud to keep over 11,000 blind and print disabled listeners informed and connected to their communities. Learn more at IowaRadioReading.org

Front Page, Metro and National News articles from The Des Moines Register and USA Today. The volunteer Voices of IRIS read newspapers aloud to keep over 11,000 blind and print disabled listeners informed and connected to their communities. Learn more at IowaRadioReading.org

Birthdays, Obituaries, Opinions, Sports and more from The Des Moines Register and USA Today. The volunteer Voices of IRIS read newspapers aloud to keep over 11,000 blind and print disabled listeners informed and connected to their communities. Learn more at IowaRadioReading.org

This week Will Saulsbery and H.T. Sims are joined by Tyler Tachman of the Des Moines Register (1:29) to preview the Iowa Men's Basketball season. How will new coach Ben McCollum handle moving from Drake to the Big 10? How do fans get engaged with a team that only has one returning player from last year's squad? Then Will and H.T. get into news from around the area (19:35) talking SLU, MIZZOU and ILLINI basketball. They touch on Bradley Beal's injury, Jordan Goodwin's tremendous start in Phoenix, and Jordan Clarkson still getting it done, now with the Knicks. They squeeze in some Big 3 talk and take it home rallying the hoops fans of STL.

The Des Moines Register's Travis Hines and Eugene Rapay discuss the Iowa State football team's end to its losing streak and the season ahead. The pair also talk men's hoops' win in Sioux Falls and are joined by the Register's Tommy Birch to talk about Audie Crooks' record-setting performance.

Chad Leistikow from the Des Moines Register talks all things Iowa Hawkeyes.

In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson cover everything from the latest developments in the 2026 Iowa governor's race to the broader political shifts shaping both Iowa and national politics. With new candidates entering the race and familiar names making their bids official, the hosts analyze how the field is taking shape and what it means for Republican voters.The conversation opens with the announcement of Congressman Randy Feenstra's official campaign launch and newcomer Zach Lahn's populist-leaning entry into the race. Chris and John discuss how both are positioning themselves — Feenstra emphasizing his record on tax reform and Lahn focusing on “Iowa First” and small-town preservation. They explore emerging themes like property rights, health care affordability, and foreign land ownership, noting that these issues reveal the shifting priorities within Iowa's conservative movement.Beyond the campaign trail, the hosts examine a recent Des Moines Register report highlighting the loss of more than 200,000 registered Democrats in Iowa over the past 15 years. They frame this as part of a broader realignment in American politics, where working-class voters in the Midwest have steadily moved toward the Republican Party. The discussion contrasts these demographic changes with suburban shifts in the opposite direction, explaining how Iowa's political map continues to evolve.The episode also touches on civility in politics — sparked by a recent town hall event featuring Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks — and the rising tension between public accountability and political grandstanding. The hosts close with a candid discussion of national tariff policy, including Donald Trump's proposal to send $2,000 rebate checks funded by tariffs, which both Chris and John sharply criticize as misguided economics that fails to reduce spending or debt.The show ends on a lighter note as the hosts share trivia, debate presidential rankings, and defend the enduring legacy of Ronald Reagan.

Chad Leistikow from the Des Moines Register talks all things Iowa Hawkeyes.

Chad Leistikow from the Des Moines Register talks all things Iowa Hawkeyes.