IOWA – An intense storm system will bring rain to the area today, transitioning over to snow overnight and causing hazardous travel, especially in Western Iowa. The National Weather Service predicts gusts of 50-60 mph will be consistent, especially after midnight and into much of Wednesday, as a powerful cold front sweeps behind potentially heavy rainfall. This will result in a period of potential blizzard conditions with significant visibility reduction in blowing snow along with very difficult travel, mainly along and west of Interstate 35.

AMES – An Iowa State University student faces charges for alleged sexual exploitation of a minor. KCCI-TV reports 43-year-old Patrick A. Connerley of Hubbard is charged with three felony charges after the university police department investigated claims an undergraduate student was communicating with minors on social media. The department says the messages were sexual in nature. Connerley is a senior in horticulture and an undergraduate student. He’s been previously charged in 2015 with sexual exploitation of a minor, pled guilty, and was placed on the sex offender registry. Connerley successfully had his named removed from the registry in 2021.

DES MOINES – An Iowa House Bill has advanced through committee that would limit federal food assistance to healthy choices. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports the bill ties a move to add $1 million to the Double Up Food Bucks program by restricting what SNAP could be spent on. Republicans advanced the measure despite objections from several groups, including a grocery store lobbyist who claimed the changes would be difficult to police and may force stores to drop access to SNAP. Republicans argue the bill would encourage purchases on healthier choices in hunger assistance. A similar bill in the Senate does not include the restrictions tied to the food security increase.