AMES, IA (IRN) – Iowans’ fears that President Donald Trump could incite an international trade war were heightened Thursday when he floated a plan to pay for a proposed wall along the Mexican border with a 20 percent tax on imports. The Des Moines Register reports Iowa State University Economist Peter Orazem says “There will be a tit-for-tat reaction. Mexico is Iowa’s second biggest customer, so I don’t think that’s good.”
DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is looking for the person or persons responsible for shooting a bald eagle at Yellow Banks County Park, near the Des Moines River on the southeast side of Des Moines, and removing its head and talons. The crime was reported by a hiker on Wednesday.
DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – A former Davenport teacher charged with trying to stab her husband to death while he slept has been found not guilty by reason of insanity. 63-year-old Patricia Oster is in the custody of the Iowa Department of Corrections and will be treated at one of their medical facilities for an undetermined length of time. Oster is a retired second grade teacher.
INDEPENDENCE, IA (IRN) – A Manchester man escaped injury when his pickup truck caught fire about four miles east of Independence. KCRG-TV reports Shane Mason was driving his truck down the roadway when he began to smell a strong odor of gasoline. He stopped to investigate and the truck ignited when he stepped out of it. He’s OK.
DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa Senate Republicans have approved a bill that would resolve an immediate shortfall in Iowa’s $7.2 billion state budget. KCCI-TV reports lawmakers in the GOP-led chamber voted along party lines Thursday for the legislation, which has cuts totaling about $117 million. The cuts would be made in the areas of corrections, higher education, public safety, economic development, and the arts.
IOWA (IRN) – Dozen of competitors will tear up the turf on Super Bowl Sunday, and they aren’t just football players. WHO-TV reports these players have four legs and a tail. Four dogs from Iowa shelters made the cut for Puppy Bowl XIII on Animal Planet. Look for Laila, Luciana, Sweet Corn and Bismark on Sunday, February 5th. The Puppy Bowl kicks off at 2 PM.