DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Fireworks will be legal to use in Des Moines on July 4th thanks to a surprise vote Monday by the Des Moines City Council. KCCI-TV reports Des Moines residents will be allowed to shoot off fireworks within city limits for the first time in generations. The pilot program permits the use of fireworks on July 4th from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. The program also includes a hefty $625 fine for residents who use them any other day of the year.
IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Iowa City police are investigating a robbery Saturday night at Falbo’s Pizza. KWWL-TV reports police were called on a report of a fight at the restaurant. Once there, they found an injured person outside. That person said he was inside the restaurant, tried to put his money away in his pocket, but someone reached inside and took it. The victim says he was punched by two suspects when he threatened to call police.
WEST DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A man was injured in a shooting at a West Des Moines apartment complex early this morning. WHO-TV reports when officers arrived they found a man in the parking lot suffering from a gunshot wound. The man had entered an apartment where a woman and another man were inside. Shots were fired, and the man who had entered the apartment was struck by gunfire. He was hospitalized, and his condition is unknown.
WASHINGTON D.C. (IRN) – Governor Branstad has been confirmed as the next U.S. Ambassador to China. The U.S. Senate voted to confirm Branstad yesterday. He will resign as governor tomorrow, at which time Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds will become Iowa’s first female governor. Branstad is the longest-serving governor in United States’ history.
DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa transportation officials say residents should be able to start downloading their driver’s licenses onto their smartphones by late next year. The Des Moines Register reports the DOT has conducted a pilot program with about 100 state employees who used state-issued iPhones last year. Iowa is among the first states in the nation to explore digital driver’s licenses as an alternative to traditional plastic licenses.
CLUTIER, IA (IRN) – It was a once in a century event in the town of Clutier (CLUE-teer) in Tama County. KCRG-TV reports the town celebrated zip code day yesterday. The community’s zip code – 52217 – matches Monday’s date. Organizers say the event was also a way for the town to celebrate its Czech heritage. People sold kolaches (koh-LAH-chees), which are fruit-filled pastries, and danced to polka music.