DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Legislature has approved a property tax bill that forces counties and cities to publicize and pass by a two-thirds vote any property tax increase over 2 percent. The bill was touted by Republican Sen. Randy Feenstra as a truth in taxation bill that creates transparency in the budgeting process at county and city levels. Democratic Sen. Pam Jochum says the bill flies in the face of the constitutional home rule amendment added in 1968 that grants cities and counties local control. She says there’s already adequate public input and visibility of local budgets and taxes.

SIOUX CITY, IA (IRN) – A 36-year-old Sioux City man has been arrested following an altercation last week at a construction site. KCAU-TV reports Roel Trevino allegedly struck a man in the head with a hammer following a dispute over a phone. The victim was able to get away from Trevino, who chased the man to his truck. Trevino then threw a lunchbox at the man’s truck and shattered the back window. When arrested, Trevino had brass knuckles in his pocket.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Animal Rescue League is caring for dozens of cats and kittens that were rescued from a one-bedroom apartment in Des Moines Tuesday. WHO-TV reports when Animal Control officers arrived they found cats and kittens everywhere. The owner had thrown some of the cats outside of a window before they arrived. In total, 26 cats and kittens, were taken from the residence.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa’s Republican-led Legislature has passed a bill that limits the powers of the state’s Democratic attorney general. Under the measure, Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller would need the governor, Legislature or executive council to sign off on out-of-state litigation. His ability to pursue in-state litigation wouldn’t be affected.

CHARITON, IA (IRN) – Hawkeye football star T.J. Hockenson will be in the spotlight this evening, walking on to a stage in Nashville, Tennessee — and into millions of living rooms via national television — as a first-round NFL draft pick. The glow will extend to the 4,122 people in his hometown of Chariton. His former coaches will be among the overflow crowd expected to gather at the Hotel Charitone, where a community watch party has been planned for weeks.