MINNETONKA, MN (IRN) – A Minnesota hotel clerk says a southern Iowa county attorney who was temporarily removed from office for sexual harassment spent hours in March “intensely” pursuing her for sex and drugs while his wife and children were in their room. The clerk told the Des Moines Register that the incident involving Van Buren County Attorney Abraham Watkins occurred in March — the same time the Iowa Supreme Court was reviewing Watkins’ removal from office. She says Watkins asked her where he could find marijuana, suggested she would be a good stripper, talked about sex with his wife, among other comments.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A total of 27 tornados tore through Iowa on Thursday afternoon, hitting key landmarks such as the Marshall County Courthouse in Marshalltown and Vermeer Manufacturing in Pella. Heavy rain, damaging winds and hail were also part of the system. Seven people inside Vermeer Corporation were taken to the hospital and treated for injuries. Funnel clouds or tornadoes were also seen near Bondurant, Ankeny, Altoona, Prairie City and Colfax. No other injuries were reported.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Authorities have identified the man pulled from the Iowa River in Iowa City on Monday. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office says 42-year-old Mohammad Albaghdadi of Iowa City was recovered after pedestrians noticed his floating body. An autopsy is being performed.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – A Sioux City man was arrested for robbing a Sioux City business Wednesday night. KCAU-TV reports the suspect, later identified as Derrick Henderson, 45 of Sioux City, went in and demanded cash, pointing a fake gun at the clerk. He fled on a bicycle before he was taken into custody.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – A new report from the state auditor’s office accuses a former University of Iowa employee of making nearly $60,000 worth of improper purchases. KCRG-TV reports while an employee of the College of Dentistry, Amanda Shumaker allegedly spent over $40,000 at Amazon, $5,000 at Barnes and Noble, and $9,000 at other vendors. Among the items purchased include bath bombs, aromatherapy items, manicure and pedicure sets, and camera equipment. Shumaker has since passed away.