WEST DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Hy-Vee grocery chain says it is not giving you $150 in free groceries. KCRG-TV reports the company says a fraudulent “grocery giveaway” is popping up on Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms. The company also urges people who clicked on the link and provided personal information to the site to change their passwords and scan their computers for viruses and malware.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA (IRN) – A Nebraska jail officer has been arrested in connection with an Iowa child sex case, according to KCCI-TV. 36-year-old Shawn Beu is charged with sexual exploitation of a minor and possessing child porn. Beu was arrested on warrants Thursday after a search of his Council Bluffs home. He’s a corrections sergeant for Douglas County in Nebraska.

WEST DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A fire at a West Des Moines mobile home park overnight forced several people out of their homes. WHO-TV reports the fire started just after 11:00 p.m. Thursday in a trailer in the Western Village mobile home park. Flames and smoke broke out in one mobile home, forcing fire crews to evacuate people inside the homes nearby. The person who lives in the mobile home was at work when the fire started.

WASHINGTON D.C. – An Iowa judge is reportedly being vetted by the White House as a potential Supreme Court Justice replacement for the late Antonin Scalia. The New York Times reports that Judge Jane Kelly is going through background checks conducted by the F.B.I. Kelly is a federal appeals court judge based in Cedar Rapids. She was confirmed unanimously in April 2013. Senator Chuck Grassley, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, is vowing not to hold any hearings until a new President is in office.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Senator Chuck Grassley is about to face another election challenge.
The Des Moines Register reports former Lieutenant Governor Patty Judge plans to announce her candidacy for the Democratic nomination for Senate. Judge was the Secretary of Agriculture before she served as Lieutenant Governor under Governor Chet Culver. Judge will first challenge State Senator Rob Hogg (HOEG), Bob Krause and Tom Fiegen in the June primary.

CLINTON, IA (IRN) – Hundreds of jobs are on the line after Swiss Colony announced it would close its call center in Clinton. WQAD-TV reports a letter was sent out to employees yesterday. There are about 309 part-time jobs and about seven full-time positions that will be lost. Swiss Colony is based in Monroe, Wisconsin, and sells sausage, cheese, candy, and other items online and through catalogues.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – A new program at the Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center will have kids reading to cats. KCRG-TV reports the “Read to the Paw” program was launched this week. A shelter spokesperson says “The cats are soothed by the young reader’s voice, and students are able to strengthen their reading skills and build confidence by reading out loud in front of a non-judgmental audience.”