AMES, IA (IRN) – More than a dozen members of the Ames High School marching band became the latest Iowa students to make a statement surrounding the playing of the national anthem. The Des Moines Register reports 13 band members linked arms and walked off the field during a performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” prior to their home football game. Sophomore Lara Murray says she walked off to highlight inequality in the United States. “How can we be unified if there’s racism, sexism and homophobia in our school?” Those who walked off faced some cursing from spectators.
ALBIA, IA (IRN) – A former southern Iowa teacher has pled guilty to charges related to the sexual exploitation of a 16-year-old girl. Zachary Thomas Simpson, a 29-year-old former teacher and coach in the Albia Community School District, pled guilty Friday to sexual exploitation by a school employee and violating two no-contact orders. He was sentenced to five years in prison, and must register as a sex offender and complete a sex offender treatment program.
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Friday the 13 lived up to its legacy for a Cedar Rapids man. KCRG-TV reports on his way to work that morning, before sunrise, Casey Sheets made a frustrating discovery. His car, once a white sedan, was dripping crimson red, completely covered with paint. Police say the costs of cleaning off the red paint and a new paint job would likely make the act of vandalism a felony charge.
DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – Davenport police located four stolen vehicles after a foot chase. KWQC-TV reports police spotted one stolen vehicle, and when officers approached the vehicle, two people inside took off running. Officers were able to apprehend two male juveniles, one 16 years of age, the other 14. Officers checked the area and located three other stolen vehicles.
DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – An egg producer is giving away its product for free to help feed hungry Iowans. WHO-TV reports the company Versova donated over 100,000 eggs to the Food Bank of Iowa. Versova already donates a pallet of eggs each month, and this is one of two larger donations each year. The food bank says the eggs will likely be gone in a week. They serve 175,000 people, handing out one million pounds of food every month.