ANKENY – A total of 15 children were injured when a vehicle left the pickup line and struck them at St. Luke’s Catholic School in Ankeny on Tuesday. WHO-13 reports nine of those were transported by ambulance and six others were taken by their families to Des Moines-area hospitals. Seven remained hospitalized as of late Wednesday night. Ankeny police say a vehicle jumped the curb outside of the school and struck a group of students ages seven to 11. An investigation is ongoing.

CEDAR RAPIDS – A Chicago felon was convicted of several theft crimes in relation to a scheme involving the use of fake U.S. Treasury checks at eastern Iowa financial institutions. KCRG-TV reports 34-year-old Tryone Harris was convicted on five counts of theft of government property, and additional identity theft and money laundering charges. In 2023, Harris is accused of trafficking five stolen U.S. Treasury checks valued at more than $300,000.

DES MOINES – The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is urging lawmakers to advance a bill that would make animal torture a felony on the first offense. KCCI-TV reports the Iowa House passed a measure unanimously, but it is now listed under unfinished business at the Iowa State House. The Iowa Senate would need to schedule the measure for discussion or debate. The state ranks 45th out of 50th for animal protection laws, according to the Animal Legal Defense Fund.