DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health announced today it has advised that all Iowa vaccine providers pause administration of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. The IDPH wants to wait until more details are confirmed as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration are investigating reports of potentially dangerous blood clots.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A Des Moines man who tried to burn down his home has been sentenced to probation. Kyle Hanson, 25, was charged with arson after he got into a dispute with another resident in his building, a duplex, over the other person placing garbage in a recycling bin. Hanson said his options were to kill the victim, set the house on fire or go for a walk, before pouring gasoline inside the home and igniting it with a lighter.

IOWA (IRN) – The Raccoon River is on the list of the nation’s 10 most-endangered waterways according to American Rivers, an environmental group. Runoff from livestock facilities and farm fields poses a “grave threat” to the river.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – State officials said Monday that the U.K variant of the coronavirus is now believed to be the most common COVID-19 strain in Iowa. It’s more transmissible and seems to carry a higher risk of mortality.

MARION, IA (IRN) – The Marion Board of Education has now decided not to move forward with choosing Mavericks as the school’s new mascot, after approving it in February. After the first vote, the board learned of a problematic tie to the origin of Mavericks. The name was originally selected due to the definition of an independent thinker, which is directly derived from Samuel Maverick, a Texas rancher who refused to brand his cattle. After learning that Maverick was a slave owner, the board will pursue other options.