DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Under Governor Branstad’s leadership, the condition of Iowa roadways has now fallen to among the worst in the nation. The Libertarian Reason Foundation released the report this week concluding that Iowa, which is ranked 40th, decreased its per-mile spending, and mileage in poor condition worsened considerably. The report showed that Iowa had the most significant increases in the amount of urban interstate mileage in poor condition, and 54 percent of Iowa’s rural primary mileage is in poor condition.

AMES, IA (IRN) – Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad has signed a disaster proclamation for 13 northeast Iowa counties affected by flooding. It activates the Iowa National Guard to assist in preparedness and in response. The rain-swollen Cedar River already has left its banks upstream, forcing evacuations at several communities along its path through northeastern Iowa. Waterloo, Cedar Falls, and Cedar Rapids are preparing for flooding.

CHARITON, IA (IRN) – Two male teens were stabbed Thursday night in a homecoming week incident in Chariton, according to KCCI-TV. The incident stemmed from an game that teens call “The Purge,” in reference to the popular horror movie. In the game, teens wear masks and attack homes. It’s considered an act of bullying, and one parent said the teen who committed the stabbing was defending himself after getting “swarmed by bullies.”

DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – A Davenport man has won his fight against paying child support for another man’s child. WQAD-TV reports Joe Vandusen received a letter from the state that ordered him to pay support for a baby born to his long-estranged wife. The couple hadn’t seen in each other in more than 15 years, but had never divorced. By law, husbands are required to pay child support for any child born during the marriage. The court ruled in Vandusen’s favor.

PLEASANT HILL, IA (IRN) – Southeast Polk High School seniors have elected four students with special needs to their homecoming court, according to WHO-TV. Student Body President Claire Strickland says “We think that they’re the same as us, and they deserve to have just as much fun their senior year as we do, and we love having them by our side.”