DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Appeals court judge Christopher McDonald was named today as the first Asian American who will serve on the Iowa Supreme Court. Gov. Kim Reynolds announced she was naming McDonald, 44, of Des Moines, to the seven-member court on Wednesday morning in her formal office in the Iowa Capitol. McDonald, who was born in Thailand during the Vietnam War and whose mother is Vietnamese, will be the first minority to sit on the Iowa Supreme Court. He has an undergraduate degree from Grand View University and a law degree from the University of Iowa.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – A shooting was reported in Cedar Rapids yesterday, resulting in one injury. KCRG-TV reports police responded to a report of shots fired, and while on scene, another report of a shooting victim in a parked car at a middle school came in. When officers arrived, they found a male victim suffering from a gunshot wound. Police are investigating.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Gov. Kim Reynolds is dismissing criticism of her decision to schedule a special election for a state Senate district in the Cedar Falls area while UNI students are on spring break. KGAN-TV reports when asked if she knew students would be gone when she scheduled the election for March 19, the Republican governor responded, “It doesn’t really matter.” Reynolds says voters have plenty of time to request an absentee ballot. The special election will fill the seat vacated by Democratic Sen. Jeff Danielson, who resigned Thursday.

SWISHER, IA (IRN) – People who attended a Johnson County fundraiser became ill Saturday. The Swisher’s Mens Club’s sold out “Wild Game Feed” offered the following food options: deer Stir Fry, Turkey nuts, Hog nuts, Elk Meatloaf, Rabbit, Raccoon, Pheasant Alfredo, two kinds of Turtle, Goose, Smoked Turkey, Fish, and Cheesy Potatoes. Public health officials are investigating.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Drake men’s basketball team is alone atop the Missouri Valley Conference. The Bulldogs beat Bradley 68-77 Tuesday night to improve to 10-5 in conference play.