ESSEX – The National Weather Service confirmed one of the biggest tornadoes ever on record hit southwest Iowa last week. A storm survey showed an EF-1 storm that passed near Essex reached nearly 2000 yards in width — or 1.1 miles wide. This came as many communities in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa received baseball sized hail Thursday night.

DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds has signed into law a bill that lowers the minimum age of owning a handgun down to 18 years old. KCRG-TV reports the new standard starts on July 1st. Eighteen year olds were already able to purchase long-barreled guns, but unable to do so with smaller firearms. Critics of the bill argue this reduces safety, while proponents believe it makes the law more consistent.

GREENFIELD – One person is in custody after someone was found dead inside of a home in Greenfield early Saturday morning. The Iowa Division of Criminal investigation reports Yudiel Vega-Blanco has been charged with first degree murder and willful injury causing injury. At 12:45 a.m. Saturday, the Adair County Communication Center received a 911 call for a stabbing that occurred in the 200 block of NE 4th St. in Greenfield.  A second victim was also identified in the residence and suffered non-life-threatening injuries.  The names of the victims are not being released pending notification of family.