OTTUMWA, IA (IRN) – A heavy police presence was reported on the south side of Ottumwa today after an armed robbery of a home ended in gunfire. KCCI-TV reports the armed robbery ended when one of the robbers was shot by a homeowner. Three subjects were involved. Two are in custody and one still on the loose.

IOWA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health announced today the first reported 2018 Iowa death associated with West Nile virus. The victim was in an elderly adult, 81+ years of age, from central Iowa. A second case of human West Nile virus infection has also been reported in a Palo Alto County adult, 61 to 80 years of age, a male who has recovered.

BROOKLYN, IA (IRN) – The stakes in the search for 20-year-old Mollie Tibbetts were raised Thursday after her family announced a $172,000 reward for her safe return. The University of Iowa student was last seen July 18. KCCI-TV reports Laura Calderwood, Mollie’s mother, says “We believe Mollie is still alive, and if someone has abducted her, we are pleading with you to please release her.”

SIOUX CITY, IA (IRN) – A man assaulted last weekend in Sioux City has now died from his injuries. KCAU-TV reports 31-year-old Pete Johnson was attacked at the Blue Ribbon Tap. Police say an arrest will be made soon.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (IRN) – Several counties in southeast Iowa are eligible to receive assistance after a U.S. Department of Agriculture’s disaster declaration was announced. Davis, Appanoose, Jefferson, Monroe, Van Buren and Wapello counties will be able to receive assistance due to extensive damage to crops and livestock from the ongoing drought.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa State Fair is one week away. That means it’s crunch time for Sarah Pratt. The Fair’s official butter sculptor has already finished work on the butter cow. Now comes the companion piece: a replica “Waterloo Boy” John Deere tractor. Pratt is sculpting the tractor as a tribute to the 100th Anniversary of John Deere and its Waterloo manufacturing plant. The Iowa State Fair runs August 9th-19th this year.