DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa’s COVID-19 positivity rates continue to decline, and fewer Iowa counties report a rate greater than 15% Friday. There have been 4,257 total deaths since the start of the pandemic.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa is sending 250 soldiers and airmen to the U.S. Capitol, after officials called for additional support for President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration next Wednesday. Iowa had been scheduled to send 15 airmen to Washington, D.C., but because of the pro-Trump attack of the U.S. Capitol last week guard soldiers from all states and territories were asked to send support.

OMAHA, NE (IRN) – The FBI Field Office that covers investigations in Iowa and Nebraska is asking the public to report threats of potential violence at any upcoming protests or gatherings leading up to Inauguration Day.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Eleven students from Brazil and Chile have filed a lawsuit accusing a northwest Iowa community college, a recruitment company, a pet food manufacturer and a packaging company of human trafficking and involuntary servitude. The lawsuit says Western Iowa Tech Community College and J&L Staffing, both in Sioux City, lured the students to Iowa under a work and study visa program only to push them into factory jobs that had no educational value. The students were paid less than U.S. employees and some of their money was deducted from their paychecks to fund kickbacks to the college and staffing agency.

IOWA (IRN) – The National Weather Service has placed the western half of the state under a blizzard warning until 6 p.m. today. Much of the eastern half of the state is under a winter weather advisory. Strong winds coupled with moderate to heavy snowfall have led to blizzard conditions. Significant travel impacts are expected, especially along I-80 and I-35.