DES MOINES— Governor Kim Reynolds has ordered flags to remain at half-staff in honor of Maj. Jeffrey O’Brien and Sgt. Declan Coady until sunset today. Their funerals and interment will be held earlier in the day. The two Iowa soldiers with the U.S. Army Reserve 103rd Sustainment Command were killed in action in Kuwait on March 1st.IOWA – A large portion of the state is under a Red Flag Warning for burns today as temperatures climb into the up 80s. According to the National Weather Service, record highs are possible across the state as an unusually warm air mass moves through. The previous record in Des Moines is 86 degrees, set in 1938. IOWA – Two of the three Division I men’s basketball teams competing in March Madness advanced to the round of 32 on Friday. Iowa held off Clemson 67-61 while the Iowa State Cyclones trounced Tennessee State 108-74, and UNI fell 79-53. The Hawkeyes now take on 1-seed Florida on Sunday at 6:10 p.m. and ISU will take on Kentucky at 1:45 Sunday afternoon.

DES MOINES – Two Iowa soldiers killed in a drone attack overseas were welcomed home on Thursday. WHO-13 reports the remains of 45-year-old Maj. Jeffrey O’Brien and 20 year-old Sgt. Declan Coady were brought back to central Iowa after a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base this past weekend. A procession left from the Des Moines Airport on Thursday afternoon, with community members lining the streets. DES MOINES – The Iowa House of Representatives passed a measure that increases the premium tax rate for health insurance organizations this week. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports that House File 2739 is an attempt to make up for a Medicaid budget shortfall, while opponents argued it would raise health care costs for all Iowans. The move would aim to close a projected $90 million gap in the current fiscal year. DES MOINES – Des Moines Police have charged an 18-year-old with first degree murder in relation to a drug-related dispute. The Des Moines Register reports that Juan Carlos Hernandez-Sarceno faces criminal charges after a 42-year-old man was found dead with an apparent gunshot wound. Police claim the interaction happened during a possible drug transaction. Additional charges are pending, and may include additional suspects. MITCHELLVILLE – Tensions continue in an Iowa community after several leadership changes in city departments. KCCI-TV reports nearly 80 residents attended the most recent Mitchellville City Council meeting held Thursday after the fire chief in the community was let go. Mayor Tony Jensen announced Mike Twohey earlier this month after nearly three decades of service. A council member refused to vote for a possible replacement appointed by the mayor.

WEST DES MOINES – A press conference held on Wednesday about an arrest made in a 15-year-old cold case revealed very few new details about the case. KCCI-TV reports West Des Moines Police held a news conference with siblings of West Des Moines Realtor Ashley Okland, who was killed in April 2011. Earlier this week, police arrested 53-year-old Kristin Ramsey of Woodward. West Des Moines Police say they can’t release too many details due to the nature of the judicial process taking place. DES MOINES – Through the Safe Haven Law, a baby girl born on March 6 is now in the care and custody of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and will be placed with a foster family until permanent placement is determined. This brings the overall total to 80 infants since the law went into effect more than two decades ago. Iowa’s Safe Haven Act is an option for parents in crisis who determine they cannot care for an infant up to 90 days old. Designated safe havens are locations like hospitals and police and fire stations. DES MOINES – The Iowa Blue Star Mothers are planning a procession for two Iowa National Guard Soldiers returning to Iowa this week. WHO-13 reports that Major Jeffrey O’Brien and Sgt. Declan Coady will be laid to rest this weekend. This afternoon, community members are encouraged to line the streets of Des Moines, as the remains of the two soldiers are expected to arrive at the Des Moines International Airport.

WEST DES MOINES – An arrest has been made in a cold case that spans over 15 years. KCCI-TV reports 53-year-old Kristin Elizabeth Ramsey of Woodward has been charged with first degree murder in the death of Ashley Okland. The realtor was found dead with two gunshot wounds in a model townhouse in April of 2011. The case has been unsolved since then. Ramsey is being held on $2 million bond. DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Bettendorf man was sentenced this week to 18 years in federal prison for receipt of child pornography and 24 months in federal prison for revocation of his supervised release. According to public court documents, 35-year-old Jacob Lawson Bertrand was on federal supervised release for a 2016 conviction for possession of child pornography. In October 2024, Bertrand was found to have an unauthorized cell phone, which he’s accused of using to possess more than 3000 images and 600 videos containing child sexual abuse material. Bertrand also had social media accounts which he used to talk to minors and had not reported to the Iowa Sex Offender Registry. IOWA – The March weather roller coaster continues across the state of Iowa. After blizzard conditions shut down most major highways in the state overnight Sunday to Monday. The National Weather Service says those fortunes will quickly change, with temperatures climbing into the 70s and 80s for many by Friday and Saturday. This comes as much of the state remains in drought, especially in southeast Iowa.

DAVIS COUNTY – A Moulton man died in a head-on collision in West Grove on Sunday evening. The Iowa State Patrol reports 61-year-old David Downen was traveling on Highway 2 in Davis County and was traveling westbound in the eastbound lane of the highway. His vehicle collided with a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Both occupants of that vehicle were injured, Downen was not wearing a seatbelt and died from his injuries. IOWA – A report from an environment group shows Iowa counties that are in the top 20% for glyphosate application have an increase in a specific cancer. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports Food & Watch Watch claims that 82% of the high-spray counties have non-Hodgkin lymphoma rates above the national average. The report comes after an update to the Cancer in Iowa Report commissioned by the Governors Office, that showed cancer rates were generally lower in rural communities than in urban centers. AMES – A mother and child stabbed to death in Ames last week were identified publicly. WHO-13 reports 26-year-old Markasia McCuddin and one-year-old Liam Sanders-McCuddin were found suffering from multiple stab wounds on March 13th. Both were pronounced dead shortly after. Davontrez McCuddin — the child’s uncle, has been arrested and charged with first degree murder. Witnesses claim they saw the man stabbing his sister multiple times. He was also wanted on a charge of attempted murder related to a January shooting in Fort Dodge.