CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – A former counselor at a residential treatment facility for minors, accused of sexually abusing a teen boy and later giving birth to his child, is expected to plead guilty in March. Danielle Hook, 30, was arrested in July 2020 and charged with 3rd sexual abuse, sexual exploitation by a counselor and harboring a runaway.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – A teenager’s drowning death last year is prompting lawmakers in Iowa to consider making it a crime to fail to call emergency responders to report when someone appears to be in serious danger. The family of Noah Herring supports the bill. Herring was 15 when he drowned in April in Coralville Reservoir. Three teens and an adult were present, but none placed a call to get help. They were cited with theft and criminal mischief charges, but no state law exists for ignoring help to someone in a dangerous situation.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The coronavirus contributed to the death of actress and Des Moines native Cloris Leachman, but was not the underlying cause. The San Diego County Medical Examiner said Leachman died of a stroke and coronavirus was a significant condition that contributed to her death. Leachman died Jan. 27 at her home in California at the age of 94. She was born in Des Moines and was a legend in local theater before moving to Hollywood where she became an award-winning actress.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Hawkeye men’s basketball team announced Saturday that former basketball player Michael Reaves has died at age 54. The university said he died at his home in Georgia on Friday. Reaves played for the Hawkeyes between 1985 and 1988 for head coaches George Raveling and Tom Davis. Reaves played in four NCAA tournaments reaching the Elite Eight in 1987 and the Sweet 16 in 1988.