WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – Two people have been arrested and charged with an aggravated misdemeanor after a child was found hurt in Waterloo. KWWL-TV reports an investigation began on Oct. 10 for a 19-month-old child who had different stages of bruising on his head and body. Police say the toddler, and three other siblings, were removed from the residence. Officers have arrested John Mercurio and Nevena Soknia.
OTTUMWA, IA (IRN) – A dog was killed in a house fire in Ottumwa early this morning, according to KTVO-TV. Crews responding to the scene found the house fully engulfed. Only one man lived in the house and he was not home at the time. Unfortunately, his dog was.
IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – A Republican power couple who work in Iowa’s executive branch are facing scrutiny after moonlighting as agents of Saudi Arabia to oppose a new law allowing victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks to sue the kingdom. KGAN-TV reports Connie and Kim Schmett are facing accusations that they were part of an effort that misled veterans by concealing who was funding their advocacy work. The Schmetts say it’s an “oversight” that they didn’t file papers on their consulting for the Saudis.
NEW LIBERTY, IA (IRN) – New Liberty and Durant fire crews responded to an animal feed farm in New Liberty early this morning. KGAN-TV reports the fire started from spontaneous combustion of feed. No one was hurt.
NEVADA, IA (IRN) – Dow-DuPont is trying to find a buyer for the 225 million-dollar cellulosic ethanol facility in Nevada, Iowa. WHO-TV reports Dow-DuPont says they’ll keep the lights on using a skeleton crew until they find a buyer, but did not say how many of the 90 or so employees would get to keep their job. Officials say uncertainty in the biofuels market contributed to the decision to sell.
STORM LAKE, IA (IRN) – A college cheerleader quit the team after her institution mandated that athletes stand during the national anthem. Her decision comes after Buena Vista University in Storm Lake came under scrutiny following several football players and cheerleaders choosing to kneel during “The Star-Spangled Banner.” BVU student Alyssa Parker, who is African-American, sent an email to her coach Monday, saying that ignoring her personal strong beliefs on social injustice is “problematic.”