COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA (IRN) – A Council Bluffs restaurateur was found guilty Friday of years of sex trafficking underaged girls. Hershal James Ratliff, 71, owner of Jimmy’s All American Malt Shop and Grill, was convicted on four counts of sex trafficking minors and an additional two counts of sex trafficking adults.

MARSHALLTOWN, IA (IRN) – The Marshalltown and Ames police departments are investigating a sexual exploitation allegation and death believed to be related. Marshalltown police received allegations on July 6 of inappropriate sexual contact between a former employee with the Marshalltown Community School District and a former student. Police attempted to conduct a search warrant at a home in Ames Thursday in connection with that investigation when a gunshot was fired from inside the home. Authorities located a deceased man in the basement. A preliminary investigation indicates he died by suicide.

IOWA (IRN) – ​​Iowa might have to throw out tens of thousands of doses of coronavirus vaccine over the next six weeks unless public demand for the shots increases. The Iowa Department of Public Health says that 39,000 of the state’s doses are set to expire by the end of July, and another 179,000 could expire by the end of August.

FORT DODGE, IA (IRN) – Fort Dodge has won its first high school girls softball championship in their own city. Fort Dodge won over Ankeny Centennial 2-0 on Friday night for Class 5A. Also on Friday night, Western Dubuque won over Boone 3-1 for Class 4A. Boone has never won a championship game for any school sports.