AMES, IA (IRN) – A 21-year-old Iowa State University student was found dead in a sorority parking lot Friday morning. Olivia Chutich was found mid morning, and had apparently had laid there since the early morning hours. Police are investigating.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Democrats in the Iowa House on Friday asked that a Republican legislator be removed from committee assignments because of his claims about election fraud and what some saw as threatening language about guns. Rep. Dean Fisher posted that the widespread mistrust of elections and that blame is “laid solely at the feet of the Democratic party.” He alleged “shady practices, and outright cheating” in Democratic led states and cities. Fisher also wrote, “We will survive. Remember, our side has the guns.”

CLEAR LAKE, IA (IRN) – A north-central Iowa venue best known for hosting the last concert of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson before the trio died in a 1959 plane crash is now a National Historic Landmark. The Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake is Iowa’s 27th National Historic Landmark, joining a list that includes the American Gothic House in Eldon and the gold-domed State Capitol.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines has announced its newest addition: a 6-foot, 125-pound giraffe. The male calf was born Monday to Skye, a 6-year-old giraffe that has lived at the zoo since 2015. The father is Jakobi, a 15-year-old giraffe that has sired several calves over the years. Beginning Jan. 28, the zoo will release several possible names and will ask the public to vote on their favorite.