DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the so-called “Back the Blue” bill into law Thursday morning. Those in support of it say it’s about public safety. Those against it say the bill does the exact opposite. It makes rioting a felony instead of a misdemeanor and increases penalties for blocking streets and highways. The bill also strengthens qualified immunity for law enforcement, making it more difficult to sue them individually for misconduct.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Department of Justice announced a 15-count racketeering indictment Wednesday against six people believed to be involved in the Des Moines-based “street gang” OTB. The Department of Justice alleges that OTB initiates members by having them shoot another person. The group also reportedly recruits juveniles for crimes.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – A 20-year-old college student charged with killing his parents and younger sister in their family home in Cedar Rapids Tuesday told police that a masked male intruder was to blame for the shooting deaths.

FORT DODGE, IA (IRN) – A 65-year-old woman from Fort Dodge was killed Tuesday when the recumbent bike she was riding was hit by a pickup truck. The pickup was driven by an 18-year-old girl.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – A medical emergency caused a driver to crash into a house in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday. No one in the house was injured.