OMAHA, NE (IRN) – Nebraska and Iowa have seen a rise in hate crimes in recent years, most of which have been committed on the basis of race and ethnicity. The FBI region that includes Nebraska and Iowa has seen a 21% increase in the reporting of hate crimes in recent years.

MARSHALLTOWN, IA (IRN) – A Marshalltown middle school teacher facing charges of having inappropriate contact with a 13-year-old student has been found dead. The body of Adam Eugene Edgington, 42, of Nevada, Iowa, was found Thursday night in his car parked in a field. He died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

ALTOONA, IA (IRN) – The CEO of the Iowa amusement park where a water ride accident killed one boy and critically injured another has become increasingly influential in Iowa politics. Adventureland Park CEO Michael Krantz has donated $175,000 to county, state and federal Republican candidates and officeholders since 2014. That makes him one of the largest GOP donors in Iowa. Krantz lobbied for a recent law change allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to operate rides for the first time.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Cedar Rapids firefighters were called to a report of a fire and arrived as two high school aged students exited the home. As some firefighters fought the fire, others rescued two remaining elementary aged children from the second floor of the home, along with four dogs.