DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A new survey suggests that farmland values in Iowa have inched upward in the past six months. A report from the Iowa Realtors Land Institute says values climbed nearly 1 percent from September to March, hitting $6,545 an acre. The Des Moines Register reports the increase was the first since September 2013. The increase, though small, is encouraging as the average value of Iowa’s farmland has dropped 25 percent since March 2013.

WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – A fire in Waterloo early this morning is being called suspicious, according to KWWL-TV. Officers found leaves on fire and a broken beer bottle in the kitchen that had been lit and thrown through a window. No one was hurt. There are no suspects.
So far, there are no suspects.

WEVER, IA (IRN) – Authorities have released the cause of death for a man found in Indian Path Park in Wever last month, according to KHQA-TV. The body of 47-year-old James Nelson was discovered the morning of February 11. Yesterday, the Lee County Medical Examiner said that Nelson died from a gunshot wound to the head. His death is being considered a homicide, and the investigation continues.

WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – One person is in critical condition after getting shot in the face Monday night. KCRG-TV reports the gunshot victim walked into a Waterloo hospital emergency room a little after 9 p.m. An ambulance transferred the victim to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for life-threatening injures.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – An Iowa House panel has approved a bill that would toughen Iowa’s regulations for texting and driving. The bill would allow a law enforcement officer to pull over a driver specifically for texting. It’s a secondary offense under current law, meaning an officer must have another reason to initiate a traffic stop. The proposed legislation has bipartisan support.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Local government control over the minimum wage in Iowa is in jeopardy. The State Senate has approved a measure setting Iowa’s minimum wage at $7.25 per hour–the current federal minimum wage. It also blocks local governments from increasing the wage above the state minimum. The bill now goes to Governor Branstad for his signature.