GRINNELL, IA (IRN) – The Grinnell Police Department is currently investigating a death that took place overnight near a railroad crossing, according to WOI-TV. Authorities say around 2:15 a.m. Saturday, first responders were called out to the railroad crossing. They found 39-year-old Forrest Michael Duncan of Grinnell, unresponsive after being struck by a train. Duncan was pronounced dead by the Poweshiek County Medical Examiner.

URBANDALE, IA (IRN) – An Urbandale mom is facing assault charges for allegedly instructing her adoptive children to physically punish each other while she watched. WHO-TV reports police arrested 38-year-old Mindy Knapp on two counts of assault causing bodily injury or mental illness. Two of Knapp’s adoptive children were the victims of punishment at the hands of other adoptive children, all under her direction. It’s on video.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – University of Iowa graduate students protested the state of higher education funding on Friday, according to KCRG-TV. The Campaign to Organize Graduate Students says they’ve seen 346 graduate assistant positions cut in the past seven years. They add mandatory fees and low pay are impacting their ability to provide quality education for undergraduates.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – CRST International has laid off 38 administrative employees, including 25 of its roughly 550 employees in Cedar Rapids, according to the Cedar Rapids Gazette. The Cedar Rapids-based trucking and logistics company employs approximately 1,250 nationwide. Officials say it’s the economy.

INDIANOLA, IA (IRN) – The nonprofit Character Counts gave out its annual Robert D. Ray Pillar of Character Award Friday night, according to KCCI-TV. The award recognizes Iowans and athletes, with past winners including Dan Gable, Hayden Fry and Norman Borlaug. This year’s winner, Casey Blake, is from Indianola. He had a 12-year-career in Major League Baseball, and then brought his family home. He’s now an Indianola philanthropist, and girls basketball and softball coach.