WASHINGTON D.C. (IRN) – The closest race for a federal seat in the last election will be talked about in a U.S. House committee Wednesday. In Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District, Democrat Rita Hart lost to Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks by just six votes after several recounts. Hart filed a petition with the U.S. House instead of the Iowa court system, saying 22 ballots were not counted. Miller-Meeks was certified the winner by the state and seated provisionally in January.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – A jury in Fayette County has convicted a man of murder in the 2018 death of an infant. Dean Alan Hettinger, 24, of Westgate, was a caretaker of four-week-old Holten Smith. Holten had brain bleeding when hospitalized and 36 traumatic rib fractures were identified during his autopsy.

ANKENY, IA (IRN) – Ankeny police are investigating what they call a “suspicious” death at a mobile home park. Witness interviews are underway and investigators are attempting to contact the family of the deceased.

WEST DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A West Des Moines police officer returned to work Monday months after being struck by a car on Interstate 35 while on duty. The Nov. 8 crash left Officer Jon Kaufman in critical condition. Kaufman suffered multiple skull fractures, a brain bleed and blood clots during the crash. Kaufman returned to patrol following months of medical procedures, physical therapy and extensive screening.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Less than 24 hours after Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a new voting reform law into effect, an Iowa civil rights group has filed a lawsuit to stop the state from enforcing it. LULAC Iowa, a state branch of the nation’s oldest and largest Hispanic organization, filed the lawsuit. The law reduces Iowa’s early voting period from 29 to 20 days, among other provisions.