DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The number of flu deaths in Iowa continues to rise. Public health officials say 22 people have died of flu-related complications since the season began in October. That’s up from 18 people last week. Thirty-three schools reported 10 percent or more of their students absent because of the flu.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – An amendment to the Iowa Constitution passed the Senate on Thursday. The amendment says the constitution doesn’t “recognize, grant, or secure a right to an abortion or to require the public funding of abortion.”

CARLISLE, IA (IRN) – A Carlisle Community School District bus was involved in an accident Thursday morning but no one was hurt. WHO-TV reports the bus had a green light when it was hit by a semi that was unable to stop in time.

DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – A Dubuque man will serve two years of probation for threatening students on social media last month. KCRG-TV reports Curtavion Saunders, 20, pleaded guilty to a charge of 1st-degree harassment. On January 13th, he posted a warning telling students at Jefferson Middle School not to go to school the next day, or they would ‘be in ashes, pure death.’ The Dubuque school district delayed classes 2 hours until authorities determined the threat was not credible. Investigators used Saunders’ cell phone to link him to the posts.

WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – Invisible Fence of Cedar Rapids donated six pet oxygen mask kits to the Waterloo Fire Department, according to KWWL-TV. The masks allow firefighters to give oxygen to pets who are suffering from smoke inhalation from fires. Invisible Fence has donated more than 12,400 masks to fire stations across the country.