WEST DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A Des Moines man has been charged with robbing and kidnapping a teen in a drug deal gone bad. KCCI-TV reports a 15-year-old victim had arranged a drug deal at Raccoon River Park. He met with the driver of a Honda Pilot at the park and got into the vehicle. Once inside, the victim was beaten by occupants of the vehicle and robbed of his money, wallet, keys, cellphone and shoes. During the robbery, a gun was passed around among the occupants, who pointed it at the victim, forcing him to reveal his phone password. The driver of the vehicle drove the victim to an apartment complex and told the victim to get out.
The victim then ran away. John Alexander Templeton, 18, is charged with two counts of first-degree kidnaping and two counts of first-degree robbery.

WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – A man has been given 25 years in prison for being intoxicated when his pickup truck struck a minivan in Waterloo, killing a baby inside. KGAN-TV reports 37-year-old Derrick Johnson was sentenced Monday. Johnson was involved in an Aug. 2, 2017, collision that killed 7-month-old Liam Mwanje, who was inside the minivan when it overturned. Other children in the minivan were injured.

U.S.A (IRN) – Iowa has the second most “problem puppy mills” in U.S., according to a new report from the Humane Society of the United States. Thirteen Iowa dog breeders were named to the group’s “Horrible Hundred” list, a compilation of what the humane society says are the worst puppy mills and puppy brokers in the country. Missouri topped the list with 22 breeders.

SIOUX CITY, IA (IRN) – Iowa is one of eleven states to legalize sports betting since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled last year, that a federal law dating back to 1992 barring state participation, was unconstitutional. Rules governing sports betting still must be worked out by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission. Officials with the commission say they expect wagering to begin this summer.

WASHINGTON STATE (IRN) – Iowa has taken a big slide in a national ranking. Washington state earned top honors on U.S. News & World Report’s rankings of the Best States. The outlet calculates where all 50 states fall in their rankings based on several criteria, including health care, education, economy and opportunity. Iowa fell all the way from first last year, to 14th this year. Washington was followed by New Hampshire and Minnesota.