CEDAR RAPIDS – An investigation is underway for an officer-involved shooting that resulted in death. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation reports that the Cedar Rapids Police Department responded to a 911 call Saturday evening in which officers were requested for a welfare check after a person called for support. Dispatch indicated the individual was making homicidal and suicidal threats. Police claim they asked the individual to drop a weapon, but failed to do so and pointed it at police. Three officers discharged their firearms and struck the male suspect, who died on scene. A male bystander also was struck by bullets, and taken to a hospital for treatment. As of Sunday evening, nobody involved has been identified, but the three officers who fired their weapons are on paid leave, pending a routine investigation. No police were harmed in the incident. CLEVELAND – Sunday marked the end of an era of thrills and highlights and did so just short for the Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball team. Two-time National Player of the Year Caitlin Clark had her journey end in black and gold without a championship, as the Hawks fell to undefeated South Carolina 87-75 in the NCAA championship game. It’s the second consecutive season Iowa had their season end as the nation’s runner-up. Clark finished her career breaking every scoring record available to her in the NCAA and modern college basketball, finishing with 3,951 career points. IOWA – Those living south of Interstate 80 should have the best view at the solar eclipse scheduled this afternoon. The National Weather Service shows the southern three tiers of counties with a strong chance of less than 20% cloud cover during the event — with the area between Interstate 80 and Highway 20 closer to 40 to 60 percent, and even higher in northern Iowa. Most of the state is expected to be able to see 70 to 90% totality of the eclipse between 1 and 3 p.m.

CLEVELAND – The top-seeded University of Iowa women’s basketball team survived 10th-ranked Connecticut, 71-69, in the NCAA Final Four on Friday night at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The Hawkeyes advance to the National Championship game for a second consecutive year. Sophomore Hannah Stuelke led the Hawkeyes to victory, finished with 23 points – her eighth 20-point game of the season. National Player of the Year Caitlin Clark added 21 points, nine rebounds and seven assists despite only having four points going into halftime. The Hawkeyes will face No. 1 South Carolina on Sunday at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. central time and the game will be televised on ABC. CERRO GORDO – A deputy with the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office resigned Friday after he was accused of sharing photos for a crash victim on social media. KIMT reports Russell Jensen posted an image of the severed arm of 22-year-old Allan Shafer, who died in a motorcycle crash on March 31st. Jensen allegedly shared the picture on Snapchat with a caption detailing what it was and the crash that led to the limb’s detachment. An online petition garnered nearly 3,300 signatures before the Sheriff’s Office announced Jensen’s resignation. IOWA – Those hoping to take in the solar eclipse in the borders of Iowa will likely need to head south and east for the best chance to see more blocking of the sun and to frankly see the natural phenomenon. According to the National Weather Service, those living along and north of Highway 20 are expected to have between 50 to 70 percent cloud cover — while those in south east Iowa will be closer to 25%. Those in Sioux City — if there are clearly skies, would experience a 75% eclipse, while those in Fort Madison would be closer to 90%. It will be the last total solar eclipse visible from the United States until 2044. The scheduled peak is between 1:50 and 2 p.m. for most Iowans.

DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds has signed a bill that would end gender balance requirements on boards and commissions. Iowa Public Radio reports Senate File 2096 ends a four decade practice requiring state and local government to balance men and women serving in various public roles. Governor Kim Reynolds argued boards should be seeking the most qualified individuals, regardless of their demographic status; opponents are concerned that discrimination based on gender will return without oversight. IOWA CITY – A West Branch man is charged for allegedly exposing himself to a child in the toy section of a Walmart in Iowa City. KCRG-TV reports 44-year-old Dustin Hills is charged with one count of indecent exposure. The child reported that a man was following her in and told police she saw the man stroking his exposed genitals. Iowa City Public Safety posted surveillance images of the suspect, looking for tips, as the incident occurred in December. CLEVELAND – It’s game day in Cleveland as the top-seeded Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball team moves closer toward their goal of a National Championship. In their way is the storied UConn Huskies in the Final Four, who have claimed 11 national titles, although they are seeking their first since 2016. It’s a late night game for the National Player of the Year Caitlin Clark and company, with opening tip scheduled for 8:30 this evening in Cleveland.

ELSBERRY, MISSOURI – A body found in the Mississippi River more than 40 years ago has been identified as a missing girl from Iowa. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office in Missouri announced that DNA evidence helped identify 15-year-old Helen Renee Groomes, who disappeared in 1977 from Ottumwa, according to the Des Moines Register. Groomes was found in March of 1978, but the examiner at the time believed the body to belong to a middle-aged person. A headstone at the grave was labeled “Lincoln County Jane Doe.” Groomes was believed to have drowned in the Des Moines River on her 15th birthday. IOWA – Nearly half the state has been designated as natural disaster areas due to a nearly four-year drought. The U.S. Department of Agriculture declared 24 counties as primary areas and 19 others as contiguous disaster counties, according to KCCI-TV. The assistance programs include insurance, loans, and technical aid to restore some of the damage caused by precipitation deficits. The vast majority of Iowa’s counties east of Interstate 35 were selected for the assistance programs. IOWA – While spring break has come and gone — many students didn’t immediately return to class due to high illness activity. WHO-13 reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention rank influenza activity as high in the state. The Iowa Department of Health had a moderate ranking for the week of March 17th through the 23rd. Some doctors have noticed an extension of respiratory illnesses extending past their typical seasons ever since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. IOWA CITY – She’s the best — again. Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark was named Naismith national player of the year Wednesday. Clark is the reigning Naismith Trophy winner and the first player to win this award in consecutive seasons since UConn’s Breanna Stewart in 2016. Clark led the Hawkeyes to their second straight Final Four appearance while leading the nation in assists and in scoring. She became the first player to finish No. 1 in both categories in back-to-back seasons. The Hawkeyes take on the University of Connecticut Huskies Friday for the chance to compete in back-to-back national title games.

DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law Tuesday that Democrats say will only worsen harassment and discrimination against others. Senate File 2095 was passed and will go into effect July 1st. Deemed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, the law allows anyone who believes their right to exercise religion was burdened can now sue others in court. Government cannot cause substantial burden to someone exercising religion unless there is compelling interest to do so. Opponents believe these will be used in particular against LGBTQ individuals and groups and other religious and non-religious minorities. Reynolds signed the bill with The Family Leader group. DES MOINES – The new official director of the Iowa Department of Education received just enough votes for confirmation this week. KCRG-TV reports 34 of 50 senators — all Republicans, confirmed McKenzie Snow, a former Trump administration education official. Democrats all voted in opposition, citing Snow’s lack of experience in the school system and that she could not work as a teacher or administrator in Iowa with her credentials. Republicans praised Snow’s background and work in other states. OSKALOOSA – An Oskaloosa non-profit organization was chosen to have Narcan available to combat overdoses. KCCI TV reports Give It Up in Mahaska County, which gives away clothes, diapers, and other needs will now have the nasal spray on hand. Operators of the organization are hopeful to be a safe place for those struggling with addiction to potentially save their own lives if nearing an overdose.