SIOUX CITY, IA (IRN) – A line of thunderstorms tore through Northwest Iowa late Thursday, causing widespread damage that meteorologists will examine over the coming days to determine whether to classify the storm as a derecho. The storm system entered the Sioux City area at about 5 p.m., bringing with it rain, hail and strong winds and knocking out power to area residents. There are many reports of building and tree damage.

SIBLEY, IA (IRN) – Some parts of northwest Iowa, including Sibley, saw a rare weather phenomenon Thursday. Areas near the borders to South Dakota and Minnesota saw a haboob. A haboob is an intense dust storm. They are usually seen in the desert, but they have been spotted in Iowa in the past.

WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – A shooting sent a 21-year-old woman to the hospital in Waterloo on Thursday night. Police say it started out as a fight and turned into gunshots fired. The woman injured has non-life threatening injuries.

IOWA (IRN) – Sen. Chuck Grassley says consolidation in the meatpacking industry has led to unreasonable increases in meat prices. On a call Wednesday, he suggested Iowans skip the middleman and buy local to save money. He says, “don’t buy from JBS and Tyson. Go to your local markets and local kills. I could go to the Cedar Falls locker to buy my meat instead of getting Tyson Foods from some other supermarket.”

NORWALK, IA (IRN) – A groundbreaking ceremony for the new multimillion-dollar city center in Norwalk was held Thursday. The Norwalk Central development will be anchored by a more than 20-acre indoor/outdoor sports and recreation campus. City officials say it is needed to keep up with a population that has nearly doubled in the past 20 years. The district will have restaurants, specialty shops, hotels, parks and trails, and housing.