DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public health on Saturday reported seven new COVID-19 positive tests and eight additional deaths. Since the start of the pandemic there have been 5,878 total deaths in Iowa. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Gov. Kim Reynolds has ordered flags be lowered to half-staff in remembrance of the Indianapolis shooting victims. The order goes into effect immediately and remains until sunset April 20. The order is in conjunction with President Joe Biden’s order to lower flags. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Although the weather has been cool and quiet for the last several days, all of that will change starting early next week. Beginning on Monday, temperatures will vary drastically across the region as a cold front approaches. Behind the front will be mostly rain, but also the potential for snow. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Hawkeyes fans returned to Kinnick Stadium for the first time since November 2019 on Saturday. The team held one of their two open spring practices. Masks were required, and fans and players took part in the Hawkeye Wave tradition.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (IRN) – An Iowa man has been indicted on charges related to the attack on the U.S. Capitol in January. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Kyle James Young, 37, of Redfield, assaulted officer Michael Fanone and attempted to take a weapon from an officer. SIOUX CITY, IA (IRN) – A Sioux City man has pleaded guilty to smuggling gun silencers into the United States. Lloyd Clark, 72, pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of smuggling goods into the United States. He could be sentenced to 20 years in prison. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – A man accused of trying to entice students at Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids to get into his car has been arrested after being chased by police on Friday. Douglas Frederick Kay, 63, was arrested and charged with Eluding, Speeding, and two counts of Failure to Obey Traffic Control Device. IOWA (IRN) – For the first time since vaccinations began, some counties are declining vaccine allocations from the state. The decision comes as counties across Iowa are struggling to fill vaccine appointments. While they can just store them for later use, they’re deciding to accept fewer doses and let more vaccines go to larger communities that need them most.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – An overnight shooting in Cedar Rapids killed one person Thursday night. Police say they received several calls of gunshots in the area. When officers arrived, they found a 26-year-old man with several gunshot wounds. He later died at the scene. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Des Moines Police Department has identified the body found in the Des Moines River over the weekend. Police identified the body as 42-year-old Diaa Elhag Kafi, of Des Moines. On March 17, Kafi was fleeing from officers when he jumped into the Des Moines River. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health confirmed Thursday that the state has its first case of what is commonly known as the Brazillian variant of COVID-19. The variant was first found in Brazil and Japan. State health officials said they’re still learning about the characteristics of the strain. It was discovered in Johnson County. DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – Alcohol consumption is way up during the pandemic, and Dubuque County is among the worst counties in the nation for abuse. There were 829 admissions to two local hospitals related to alcohol abuse, 646 of them to the emergency room. There were also 365 cases of drunk driving in the county in 2020. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – High School Day at the Drake Relays is sold out. Many parents are frustrated they won’t be able to watch their kids compete. Seating is restricted due to the pandemic.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Board of Regents will not require students and faculty at the state’s three public universities to receive a COVID-19 vaccine before returning to campus in the fall. Regents President Mike Richards is strongly encouraging them to get the vaccine but is not mandating it. JOHNSTON, IA (IRN) – Gov. Kim Reynolds addressed the national pause on the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine Wednesday. Reynolds said the impact shouldn’t slow vaccinations much as the state’s allocation of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is low in comparison to the Moderna and Pfizer versions. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa lawmakers are moving forward on a series of measures they said are designed to protect police officers. The wide-ranging, so-called “Back the Blue” bill comes in response to last summer’s protests. The bill makes rioting a felony instead of a misdemeanor and also increases penalties for blocking streets and highways, destroying public property and criminalizes shining lasers at police. It also makes drivers who hit protesters immune from civil liability in some circumstances. IOWA (IRN) – The latest National Infrastructure Report Card gives the state of Iowa a “C” grade. More than 4,571 bridges and 403 miles of highway in Iowa are in poor condition, and it’s costing the average driver in the Hawkeye state more than $330 a year. MARION, IA (IRN) – A police dog in Marion has new protection, all thanks to a local hair salon. Silas received the “bullet and stab protective vest” last week. It’s custom fit for Silas through the non-profit group Vested Interest, which provides K9 vests. Epic Salon and Spa donated to Vested Interest to get the vest.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – An 18-year-old man faces charges after a woman suffered a stab wound to the head in Des Moines on Tuesday. Today, Clasean Ronle Stallworth was arrested and charged with one count of willful injury causing bodily harm. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The trial for a man charged with shooting a mother and her two children to death in Polk County is underway. Marvin Esquivel-Lopez is charged with shooting and killing Rossibeth Flores-Rodriguez, her 11-year-old daughter and her five-year-old son in their home in July of 2019. The mother and her two children were found dead in a Des Moines home after each being shot in the head twice. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa lawmakers for the fourth time have approved restrictions aimed at stopping animal welfare activists from documenting animal abuse at livestock farms.The bill received bipartisan support in both chambers and is likely to be signed by Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Des Moines City Council will resume in-person public meetings at City Hall on June 14. All in-person public meetings were suspended on March 15, 2020, when Mayor Frank Cownie issued an emergency declaration in response to the community spread of COVID-19 in Iowa. City council meetings have been conducted remotely via Zoom ever since. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Iowa City Schools will take days off for Muslim and Jewish holidays next calendar year following a student led campaign.