DES MOINES (IRN) – The population of Iowa is growing, although not as fast as the rest of the nation. According to estimates provided by the Iowa Data Center, Iowa’s population increased by nearly 15,000 people to over 3,107,000 in 2014. The growth rate is approximately half of one percent, slightly more than half the growth rate of the rest of the country.

WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – ConAgra Foods is expanding in Waterloo and adding 55 jobs. The Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier reports that Omaha-based ConAgra, which has produced Snack Pack and Swiss Miss products in Waterloo since 1997, announced today it will expand its manufacturing plant in Waterloo pending approval of state and local incentives. The project cost is estimated at $55 million.

DES MOINES (IRN) – Mike Huckabee has announced that he will not be participating in the Republican Party Iowa Straw Poll this summer. The Des Moines Register reports that Huckabee stated that he “concluded this year’s Iowa Straw Poll will serve only to weaken conservative candidates and further empower the Washington ruling class and their hand-picked candidates.” Huckabee joins former Florida Governor Jeb Bush who announced last week he will not participate.

AMES, IA (IRN) – A man has been sentenced to ten years in prison for robbing the Midwest Heritage Bank inside the Lincoln Center Hy-Vee store in Ames. The Ames Tribune reports that Kirk Priest Matlock, 55, of Burlington was charged with first-degree theft and second-degree burglary for the March 19 incident, in which police said he demanded money from a bank teller and left with an undisclosed amount of cash before driving off in a stolen pickup truck.

DES MOINES, (IRN) – An investigation by the Iowa Auditor’s Office has found that over $130,000 worth of improper and unsupported reimbursements were made to an employee of the Center for Behavioral Health, an organization that receives state funding to provide treatment to those with addictions.  The audit was requested by the Center, in regards to payments made to its former Executive Director, Mindy Williams.

DONNELLSON, IA, (IRN) – The police chief of the southeastern Iowa town of Donnellson has been charged with simple domestic abuse assault. WGEM TV reports that Chief William Sackett is accused of hitting his wife Monday morning at their home.  Court records indicate that after a night of drinking, he became angry and began breaking items, and then hit his wife.  He is currently on unpaid leave from the position.

TAMA COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A 19-year-old man from Chelsea was killed in a head-on crash in rural Tama County on Tuesday. Thor William Curtis Osterholt was northbound on V 18 when his vehicle crossed into the southbound lane, hitting an oncoming minivan.  The minivan was driven by Sally Marie Slaven, 44, of Chelsea.  Slaven was transported by helicopter to the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics in unknown condition.

GEORGE, IA (IRN) – Eleven chicken farm employees were treated for exposure Wednesday afternoon near the Northwestern Iowa community of George.  KSFY TV reports that the workers were preparing to euthanize chickens with the avian flu virus. A pile of manure in the chicken barn was moved, releasing an ammonia cloud. In related news, two more cases of the avian flu were announced yesterday in Sac and Calhoun counties, bringing the total number of cases in the state to 62.