DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – Dubuque fire crews put out a fire at Loras College this morning.
A fire broke out at about 5 a.m. at the Visitation Complex. Fire Chief Rick Steines says a police officer noticed sparks in the cupola. The fire engulfed the roof and attic, so crews were pulled out to fight the blaze from the outside fearing it might collapse. Everyone was evacuated, and no one was injured. Lightning may have caused the fire.

QUAD CITIES, IA/IL (IRN) – Strong storms hit the Quad Cities and surrounding communities Tuesday night, according to WQAD-TV. The National Weather Service began sorting out multiple reports of tornadoes and funnel clouds in the area early Tuesday evening. The National Weather Service received two spotter reports of a funnel cloud crossing the Mississippi river about two miles south of Keokuk just before 6 p.m. High winds are expected today.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA (IRN) – A Council Bluffs teenage driver is facing charges after an investigation indicated she had marijuana in her system during a rollover crash that killed one of her passengers. KWWL-TV reports the 16-year-old girl has been charged with motor vehicle homicide. A 16-year-old passenger was partially ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A string of assaults and a homicide on Court Avenue in downtown Des Moines last year led many to question why the area did not have security cameras. KCCI-TV reports law enforcement can now keep watch over Court Avenue activity thanks to newly installed security cameras. Police say they may look into adding additional cameras for other downtown areas later, if needed.

ANKENY, IA (IRN) – An assault charge has been dropped against an Ankeny mom who confronted a student at Northview Middle School. WHO-TV reports Alisha Morton was charged with assault following an altercation with a student at the school on Jan. 11. Morton says she was protecting her 14-year-old daughter from bullying. Morton’s daughter said she was the victim of bullying for several months. As part of a plea deal, the charge will be dropped if Morton attends a first-time offender class.

DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – High school students in Dubuque’s Alternative Learning Center are getting some real experience in the world of economics. According to KCRG-TV they started a business that makes and sells chicken coops. Students learned in economics class that more people are taking an interest in raising chickens. The students decided to start their own business called “Key City Coops.” They sell for $500, and when the semester ends, another group of students will take over the business.