WEST DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A West Des Moines woman accused of starving and neglecting her teenage daughter wants a separate trial from her former husband and wants her murder trial moved out of Polk County. Nicole Finn and Joseph Finn II are charged with the October starvation death of 16-year-old Natalie Finn and the suspected abuse of two of Natalie’s siblings. Both have pled not guilty. The Des Moines Register reports that lawyers for Nicole Finn cited pretrial publicity and other factors in her request last week for a change of venue.
OELWEIN, IA (IRN) – A fire broke out overnight in Oelwein, according to KWWL-TV. The large building is near the railroad tracks and was filled with wood. Fire crews say they are concerned someone might have been staying in the building overnight to stay warm.
MILFORD, IA (IRN) – A northwest Iowa man was killed after exchanging gunfire with police officers Monday. The Iowa Department of Public Safety reports Milford police officers were called Sunday night to a problem at a home. As officers approached the home, a man inside fired several shots, and a Milford officer returned fire while retreating to safety. Officers entered the home several hours later and found 52-year-old Robert Brunner dead.
IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Iowa City Police are looking for a suspicious vehicle and two men after two teens reported the men approached them Monday. KCRG-TV reports the 13-year-old girls reported a dark colored SUV or van stopped next to them as they were walking. The girls said a male passenger waved them over and said he had a question. The girls did not respond to the request, but instead ran to a safe location and called police.
DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Republicans are accusing Iowa’s Attorney General Tom Miller of playing politics in his assessment that Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds won’t be able to appoint her replacement once she takes over for Gov. Terry Branstad. Branstad is in Washington, D.C. this week for confirmation hearings to become the U.S. Ambassador to China. That’s a reversal from Miller’s assessment last December that Reynolds could appoint a new Lt. Governor.
STORM LAKE, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association and the Iowa Beef Industry Council announced the 2017 Iowa’s Best Burger Monday. Iowa’s Best Burger is at Smokin’ Hereford BBQ in Storm Lake. The Hereford Burger is 8 ounces of hand-pattied beef dressed with a house seasoning, grilled over a hot flame, and made to order. Possible toppings include: bacon, fried banana pepper, coleslaw, blue cheese or spicy mac & cheese.