WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – An 18-year-old from Mason City has been accused of sex extortion schemes in three Iowa counties. Christian Gossweiler already has been given two years of probation and a five-year suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty in Story County. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that Gossweiler targeted an Iowa State University student he met online when he was using an assumed name. She sent him a nude photo and he later threatened to show the photo to her friends and family if she didn’t do what he wanted. He has allegedly threatened two other women in similar schemes.
DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A bill that would allow public funds to be used for students to attend private schools advanced Wednesday in the Republican-led state Iowa Senate. The original bill would have opened taxpayer grants to all students, but it was significantly pared down Wednesday. Lawmakers amended the legislation to limit grants to students with Individualized Education Programs or 504 Plans, which usually cater to students with special needs.
MUSCATINE, IA (IRN) – A Muscatine man is being recognized for his help in a deadly fire.
KWWL-TV reports Bibo Aguilar, 21, of Muscatine, was walking home when he smelled something and investigated. He found a house on fire, and called 9-1-1. Due to his efforts, one person escaped through a window. Three others died.
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Today is the start of Vermont independent Senator Bernie Sanders’ three-day visit in Iowa. Today he’s in Council Bluffs, Friday he’ll be in Iowa City, and on Saturday he’ll hold a rally at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines.
CLIVE, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Pork Producers have their own form of March Madness this year, according to WHO-TV. The organization is running a contest to find the best pulled pork in Iowa. The contest is called “Pulled Pork Madness.” They’ll use a bracket style competition for restaurants to compete for the best in Iowa. Nominations are open until midnight Monday. There will be bracket style competition over the next few weeks, with the winner being crowned on March 29.