WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – Early voting is underway in Iowa, and some have already mailed their ballots in — but they can’t be counted. KWWL-TV reports both Dubuque and Black Hawk Counties say some people who are mailing in their absentee ballots are missing an important step. They’re forgetting to sign the back of the envelope. Both counties plan to contact the voters that did not properly sign their return envelope.

FOREST CITY, IA (IRN) – An Iowa farm worker died earlier this week after falling roughly 30 feet inside a silo. The Mason City Globe Gazette reports the fatal fall happened Monday morning at Branstad Farms near Forest City. 46-year-old Julian Martinez died at the farm after the fall. The sheriff’s office says the death appears to have been an accident. The farm is owned by Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad’s brother, “Monte” Branstad.

DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – Investigators are searching for clues in the shooting deaths of a Davenport couple early Wednesday. WQAD-TV reports police found the bodies of 58-year-old Kevin Freese and his wife, 57-year-old Donna Freese inside their house. 20-year-old Sean Freese has been arrested and charged with two counts of first degree murder. His relationship to the deceased has not been released by authorities.

MASON CITY, IA (IRN) – A former Iowa State Patrol trooper accused of stealing drugs has pled guilty. KIMT-TV reports 32-year-old Michael Haugen of Forest City removed prescription medication from evidence bags and then altered the label on the bags to cover up the theft.

AMES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Board of Regents will review whether Iowa State University President Steven Leath and other employees have been following policies that bar the use of equipment and official travel for personal business. According to the Associated Press, Leath acknowledged that he flew one of the planes himself on four trips that mixed personal and official business. While returning home from one vacation last year, he suffered a hard landing that caused damage to the plane.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – For Des Moines police, the creepy clown scares started Tuesday with an online round of threats targeting Harding Middle School. KCCI-TV reports police quickly identified the student who sent it and determined there was no real threat. The incident sparked copycats and officers looked into at least six similar cases Wednesday. Police say they are wasting a lot of resources investigating.