WASHINGTON, D. C. (IRN) – Iowa had the fifth-highest rate of positive coronavirus tests in the nation the past week. Meanwhile, Johns Hopkins University reported Iowa administered the lowest number of tests per capita of any state

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A 15-year-old girl was injured in a shooting Tuesday night in Des Moines. She was sitting in a parked car when two suspects approached the vehicle. At least one of them fired multiple rounds into the car. The girl was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, and two other occupants in the vehicle were not injured. The investigation is ongoing.

FORT DODGE, IA (IRN) – A Fort Dodge man was charged with Arson after allegedly dousing a woman and her home in gasoline in December. Patrick Timothy McGuire is accused of dousing a woman in gasoline, trapping her beneath a mattress and then spreading gasoline through the home and opening a propane tank indoors. The victim escaped.

URBANA, IA (IRN) – The Division of Criminal Investigation said Tuesday that the deaths of two people in Urbana were a murder-suicide. On Jan. 1, authorities received a call from Garry Jensen, 59, who said he had shot and killed his wife Margaret Jensen, 54.

NORTHWOOD, IA (IRN) – A Northwood Iowa woman who defrauded charities by pretending to have cancer was spared from prison Monday after receiving a suspended sentence. Jennifer Hope Mikesell, 44, was also ordered to pay restitution and continue to seek treatment from a mental health professional. Mikesell was accused of pretending to have cancer and reaching out to local charities and individuals for donations of money, goods and services. She forged doctors’ notes from providers at Mayo Clinic, where she claimed to be receiving care.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced the recipients of the 2021 planning and development grants funded through the state’s Water Quality Initiative. More than $2.6 million in awards will go to support projects that help advance the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy and soil health and water quality efforts across the state.