DES MOINES – Iowans are set to welcome Iowa National Guard Soldiers home this week. Today, 145 service members are returning from serving nine months in Operation Inherent Resolve in the Middle East. The public is invited to welcome back those individuals at the Des Moines International Airport.

WATERLOO – As several employees return to work this month after being previously let go at John Deere, more employees will be called back. WHO-13 reports that 146 laid off workers will return to operations in Waterloo in March. Ninety-nine employees are about to begin work again in Davenport. in 2025, John Deere reduced its workforce by nearly 600 workers.

NEWTON – The cause of a house fire in Newton Monday night that claimed the life of at least one dog remains under investigation. Newton Fire Marshall Jacob Halferty says neighbors reported the fire at the two-story house Monday evening. Two dogs that were in the home were killed in the blaze that took several hours to fight.

DES MOINES – Iowa lawmakers are making a pitch to host a pro football team. The Des Moines Register reports a group of Republican senators have filed a bill that would provide financial incentives for an NFL team to build in Iowa. Senate File 2252 comes as a proposal as the Chicago Bears negotiate a stadium project to move from downtown Chicago and Soldier Field. The legislation aims to expand Iowa’s MEGA program to include an NFL stadium.