DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – The trial for a man who’s accused of randomly attacking, raping, and killing a woman on a street in Dubuque two and half years ago will happen. KCRG-TV reports the Iowa Supreme Court has said it will not rule on the mental competency of Helmon Betwell. The 22-year-old faces charges that include first degree murder and first degree sexual abuse.
For the last couple of years, the lawyers in the case have gone back and forth on whether he is mentally able to stand trial.

CRESTON, IA (IRN) – An Iowa couple and their two young children were found dead in a rented condominium in Mexico, according to KCCI-TV, and there is no news yet on the cause of death. The Sharp family was reported missing by relatives in their hometown of Creston early Friday, about a week after the family left for vacation. Creston police say they contacted the U.S. Department of State, and the bodies were found during a welfare check at the condo in Akumal near Tulum, Mexico. Police said there were no obvious signs of foul play.

KINGSLEY, IA – A propane explosion yesterday in the northwestern Iowa town of Kingsley injured two people and destroyed four rural buildings. The Sioux City Journal reports the explosion happened when two men walked into a hog nursery building. A propane leak in the building likely touched-off the explosion and resulting fire when door was opened, kicking on an automatic heater. The blast severely injured the two men.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Iowa City is already a testing ground for self-driving vehicles, according to KCRG-TV. Iowa City leaders think self-driving cars are in the city’s future, so the council is hiring a researcher to find out what their effect could be on traffic, parking, and more. This comes just days after a self-driving Uber car struck and killed a woman in Arizona.

IOWA (IRN) – An end of the season snowstorm is hitting northern and eastern Iowa, and many cities have issued snow emergencies. John Haase, meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Quad Cities office, says some parts of the region could receive 10 inches of snow.