IOWA (IRN) – Strong winds, dry ground, and very dry air is leading to a heightened fire risk today in Iowa. Dry, cold air has moved into place and with very low humidity and strong winds fires could spread quickly.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – The Iowa City man charged with killing his wife over the couple’s finances took a plea deal Wednesday. Roy Browning Junior was set to go to trial in less than a month. Authorities say he stabbed and killed his wife JoEllen in April of 2019. The couple had been married 42 years. Browning was charged with first-degree murder. On Wednesday, Browning pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of second-degree murder.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Police responded to a serious accident involving an SUV and a UTV Wednesday morning in Des Moines near Grandview University. The SUV hit a John Deere Gator which was crossing the street.

DUBUQUE, IA (IR) – Testing of Dubuque’s water has yielded some frightening results. The tests determined the prevalence of manmade chemicals known as per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, or “PFAS,” are at a higher level than the EPA allows. PFAs are long-lasting chemicals that have been used in industrial applications and consumer products like carpeting, upholstery, food packaging, non-stick cookware, and personal care products. Exposure to PFAs has been linked to health risks such as cancer.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Gary Slater, the longtime CEO and Manager of the Iowa State Fair, announced his retirement on Wednesday. Slater has been in charge at the fairgrounds for the last 21 years. Slater called it “the honor of a lifetime to lead the Iowa State Fair” for more than two decades. He was hired for the job in 2001 after previously running the State Fair in his home state of Missouri.