DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Democratic-controlled Iowa Senate is attempting to revive a proposal to fund water quality initiatives through a sales and use tax increase, but the plan has little support in the Republican-majority House. KCCI-TV reports the bill requires several legislative procedures before it can head to the House, where GOP leaders say they would not support a measure that increases taxes.
SCOTT COUNTY, IA – A 19-year-old has been arrested and charged with homicide by vehicle following the death of a back seat passenger in a 2016 crash in Davenport. WQAD-TV reports Bret Schaefbauer was driving a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze when he drove it into a ditch, striking a culvert. 18-year-old Mitchell Hayes of Davenport died as a result of his injuries from the crash. The report said Hayes was not wearing a seatbelt. Schaefbauer was intoxicated.
DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – MidAmerican Energy announced today it is planning a new renewable energy project to move the company toward a 100% renewable energy goal for customers in the state. MidAmerican is requesting approval from the Iowa Utilities Board to build the project, called Wind XI. The project is expected to add up to 2,000 megawatts of wind power generation in Iowa by adding about 1,000 new wind turbines.
DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – Dubuque police are investigating an incident they believe is a hate crime. KCRG-TV reports shortly before dawn Wednesday the Dubuque 911 center received a call of something burning at a residence. When police arrived, they found two crosses had been burned. The US attorney’s office and the FBI have been notified.
DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A man in southwest Des Moines woke up in the middle of the night to find a 35-foot tree in his yard had been swallowed up. WHO-TV reports the homeowner was awakened by neighbors who noticed the sinkhole around 12:30 a.m. Wednesday. Officials believe the sinkhole was caused by an old coal mine shaft more than 100 years old.
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – A traffic stop in Cedar Rapids turned into a high speed pursuit of a motorcycle Wednesday evening. The motorcycle was seen speeding through a neighborhood, and a Linn County deputy tried to stop it. The driver refused to stop, speeding away from the deputy with a passenger on the back of the bike. During the chase the motorcyclist nearly collided with a squad car, and the woman passenger was thrown off. The man on the bike escaped, and the woman suffered minor injuries. She says she doesn’t know the name of the driver.
DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The longest-standing synchronized swim team in the country is in some hot water. KCCI-TV reports freshman girls at Roosevelt High School hired a male stripper to perform at their synchronized swim club’s annual banquet at the Des Moines Social Club on Friday. The stripper performed for a few minutes but was kicked out after a Social Club employee stopped the show. One parent said the girls aren’t bad girls–they were just foolish.