CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – A 34-year-old man from Charles City was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for his role in manufacturing pipe bombs and distributing methamphetamine in 2020. Thomas Jay Downer admitted to distributing more than 5 grams of pure methamphetamine and selling five pipe bombs. The pipe bombs were made of plastic plumbing pipe and included BBs and nails as shrapnel. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A Des Moines man faces dozens of charges after admitting to secretly recording his ex-wife inside her home for more than a year. Mathew Greiner used his child’s keys to gain access to the victim’s home and hid cameras behind the air vents in her bedroom and bathroom. The child discovered the explicit images on Greiner’s phone. CEDAR RAPIDS (IRN) – Former Vice President Mike Pence is hosting a rally ‘for parental rights’ next week in Cedar Rapids. The rally is to protest the Linn-Mar School Districts’ policy that allows students to request a gender support plan. It lets students transition socially and without the permission of their parents. Pence’s group “Advancing America’s Freedom, says they filed a lawsuit against the school district to overturn the policy. Pence is considering a run for president in 2024. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Zoom meetings at the Iowa statehouse meetings could be coming to an end. It’s something lawmakers are considering after an incident during a senate sub-committee meeting Thursday where someone joined the Zoom call while displaying a swastika.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa is now among two dozen states whose Republican attorney generals have joined conservative and gun-rights groups in a challenge to a new federal regulations on pistols with stabilizing braces, suing to block a gun-control action touted by President Joe Biden after the accessories were used in two mass shootings. DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – A man died from a morning garage fire in Dubuque on Wednesday. No details about what caused the fire or what happened have been released. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A house fire broke out Thursday afternoon in Des Moines after a lit candle was tipped onto combustible materials. No one was injured. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – On Thursday, an Iowa Senate subcommittee moved a bill forward that would restrict LGBTQ topics in schools. The bill is more expansive than the other plans seen so far this session. It would also create harsher penalties for school districts. That content would be banned for all Iowa students in kindergarten through eighth grade. WASHINGTON, D.C. Sen. Chuck Grassley is demanding answers after a woman, believed to be dead, was sent to a funeral home in Ankeny where she turned out to be still alive. 89-year-old Grassley wants state investigators to share their findings to keep this from happening anywhere else. Especially to him (just kidding).

IOWA (IRN) – Iowa’s dog breeders had the worst record of compliance with federal regulations in 2022, accounting for 36% of all violations cited nationally. The U.S. Department of Agriculture cited dog and cat breeders and brokers for 795 violations in 2022. Of the 795 cited violations, Iowa breeders were responsible for 286. In addition, six Iowa breeders received official warnings from the USDA in 2022. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Des Moines Public Schools officials could close buildings to balance next year’s budget. They’re also exploring the potential for staff cuts. The Des Moines School Board is in the beginning stages of planning a budget amid new legislation that uses taxpayer money to help send students to private schools and a 3% state funding increase that lags behind sky-high inflation. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Despite bi-partisan opposition, a bill was passed in the Iowa legislature that limits awards in medical malpractice lawsuits. The proposal would impose a $1 million dollar pain and suffering limit on lawsuits directed towards clinics or doctors, or $2 million if a hospital is involved. JOHNSTON, IA (IRN) – A Johnston Community School District student filed a federal lawsuit against the district, district administrators and a teacher. The student was sent out of class and suspended after wearing a T-shirt to school on Sep. 1 that had a second amendment quote and a picture of a gun. This came two days after a discussion in Government class about free speech. The teacher told the class the right to free speech was limited on school grounds.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – In a 59-40 vote, the Iowa House on Tuesday passed a 3% increase in public school funding. The increase represents about $107 million that would go to Iowa schools. On Tuesday evening, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the bill into law. The increase is less than half the increase in inflation. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa Republicans are making a new push to get books they deem inappropriate out of the classroom and out of school libraries. One of many new proposals from Governor Kim Reynolds could end up putting restrictions on controversial books state-wide. Reynolds says material that’s removed by any Iowa school district should require consent in every district before being shared with children. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Des Moines Public Schools and Drake University’s stadium under construction next to the Knapp Center now has a name: Mediacom Stadium. Mediacom Stadium will be Des Moines Public Schools’ main venue for football and soccer. IOWA (IRN) – A possible winter storm is heading our way, arriving tonight through Thursday morning. As the low-pressure system moves in, moisture will enter the state, bringing a mix of rain and snow. A 1-2 degree difference in temperature will make the difference between all rain and all snow. Travel impacts are expected Thursday, especially in the morning.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – In a 59-40 vote, the Iowa House on Tuesday passed a 3% increase in public school funding. The increase represents about $107 million that would go to Iowa schools. The plan now heads to the governor’s desk to be signed into law. This increase is less than half the rate of inflation. DICKENSON COUNTY, IA (IRN) – After a Jeep fell through the ice Saturday in Dickensen County, 17-year-old Joe Salmon jumped into the water to save Thomas Lee, 83, and his dog Cooper, 6, who were trapped. Salmon, a wrestler, football player, and track athlete, rushed to the scene after he saw the incident while ice fishing with his mother and led the rescue efforts. DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – Dubuque Police responded to an anonymous call yesterday shortly before noon reporting that there was a possible explosive device at Hempstead High School. Students and staff were relocated for their safety within the school while officers searched the premises. No dangerous or explosive materials were found. SHEFFIELD, IA (IRN) – At a meeting with first responders in Sheffield, Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg pitched a plan he likens to “Uber for EMS” to address the state’s worsening problems with rural ambulance services. Rather than provide more state funding for ambulances or drivers, Gregg wants to find a community that would serve as a pilot project for a program where volunteers with emergency equipment would use their own vehicles to respond to calls. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A fifth-grader from Des Moines is headed to the Super Bowl to interview Patrick Mahomes and other players after winning the Panini Super Bowl Kid Reporter Sweepstakes. Adel Waage won the sweepstakes with his video showing off his reporting skills. Waage is a lifelong Kansas City Chiefs fan and can’t wait to interview his favorite player.