DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa’s COVID-19 positivity rates have declined to the lowest levels since September. There have been 4,332 deaths since the start of the pandemic. CHARLES CITY, IA (IRN) – Eight people are now set to stand trial over a significant amount of meth found in Floyd County. Law enforcement searched a home in Charles City in October and discovered 161.1 grams of methamphetamine, in addition to other drugs and drug paraphernalia. The investigation led to the arrest of eight people for conspiracy to deliver meth. All eight have pleaded not guilty and their trials are set to begin on March 2. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – This legislative session the advocacy group Iowa Safe Schools wants lawmakers to focus on issues harmful to Iowa’s LGBTQ youth. Iowa Safe Schools is proposing bills to update the state’s suicide prevention and anti-bullying laws and add gender identity to Iowa’s hate crime law. They also want to ban controversial conversion therapy in the state. IOWA (IRN) – Around 30 different bars were given citations for violating COVID-19 protocols from Gov. Kim Reynold’s emergency proclamation during the pandemic. About 850 complaints were received. The protocols include social distancing, mask-wearing, and limiting groups to eight people. A violation of those rules would result in a $1,000 fine. JOHNSTON, IA (IRN) – Dozens of Johnston parents are stepping up to keep classes in-person. When a teacher is quarantined, and there are not enough substitutes, parents are serving as classroom monitors so teachers can teach from quarantine.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – A second Iowan was arrested Monday and faces federal charges in connection with the deadly Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. FBI agents out of Cedar Rapids arrested Leo Christopher Kelly on a federal warrant Monday. Another Iowan, Doug Jensen, 41, of Des Moines, was arrested by the FBI on Jan. 9 and is also accused of participating in the invasion. He faces six federal charges. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A Waukee mother is accused of being intoxicated when she was involved in a Des Moines crash with her two children in the car Sunday. According to court documents, 29-year-old Kristen Danielle Anderson was involved in a crash Sunday night. A witness told police her Chevy Impala went over a curb and through a snowbank. Anderson’s six and 11-year-old daughters were in the backseat. WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – A Cedar Rapids man is facing charges after he threatened a Black Hawk County Sheriff’s deputy in a video with a gun. Chandrique Day, 20, was seen in a video making threats towards the deputy while brandishing a handgun with a “unique laser system attached.” The following day, Day and the gun were located after a car chase. Day was the driver of the vehicle and was arrested after crashing the vehicle and fleeing the scene. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – As tensions were high across the country, the grounds at the Iowa Statehouse were relatively quiet over the weekend. The grounds were packed with Iowa State Patrol officers Sunday, stationed to protect Iowa’s Capitol in the event of an armed protest, something the FBI warned could happen in all 50 states this week leading up to President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration. A few armed protestors showed up at noon Sunday but soon left. LINCOLN, NE (IRN) – Nebraska men’s basketball program will pause for at least seven more days after coach Fred Hoiberg and 11 other staffers or players tested positive for COVID-19. The Cornhuskers’ game at Iowa next Sunday has been postponed. IOWA (IRN) – New data show 2020 was the second warmest year on record. Overall, the globe saw temperatures 1.76 degrees above the 20th century average. In Iowa, the story is more complex. The state as a whole was 1.7 degrees above normal, but drought-stricken western Iowa contributed more to the overall statewide warmth.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – 64 more people have died from COVID-19 according to state officials. A total of 4,321 Iowans have died since the start of the pandemic. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – A basement fire at a home in Cedar Rapids has displaced three people. No one was injured. The fire started in a clothes dryer. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Des Moines police responded to two drive-by shootings less than an hour apart early Saturday morning. No one was injured. WACO, TX (IRN) – Ashley Joens scored 14 of her 27 points in the fourth quarter and Iowa State beat No. 6 Baylor 75-71 on Saturday night, ending the Lady Bears’ 61-game home court winning streak.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A white military veteran shot and wounded a 15-year-old Black girl during a tense confrontation at a Trump rally in Iowa last month. Michael McKinney is charged with attempted murder in the Dec. 6 shooting in Des Moines. McKinney, who was heavily armed and wearing body armor, told police he fired in self-defense. He has posted on Facebook in support of the far-right Proud Boys. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Someone associated with the Iowa House of Representatives has tested positive for COVID-19. It’s unclear if the person who tested positive is a lawmaker, staff member of someone else. Democrats have criticized lax COVID-19 rules and restrictions put in place by majority Iowa Republicans, many who don’t wear masks. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A man armed with a handgun was taken into custody after a standoff with police in Des Moines Friday. Police were called to a domestic dispute, and were able to get a woman to safety. The officers then began negotiating with the man, 55-year-old Miles Degroote, who refused to come out. After about 30 minutes of negotiations, Degroote jumped out a window while armed with a handgun. Degroote was taken into custody without further incident and no one was injured. AMES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa State men’s basketball team’s season has been paused indefinitely as a result of COVID-19. Team officials said the pause comes due to COVID-19 protocols within the athletics program.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa’s COVID-19 positivity rates continue to decline, and fewer Iowa counties report a rate greater than 15% Friday. There have been 4,257 total deaths since the start of the pandemic. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa is sending 250 soldiers and airmen to the U.S. Capitol, after officials called for additional support for President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration next Wednesday. Iowa had been scheduled to send 15 airmen to Washington, D.C., but because of the pro-Trump attack of the U.S. Capitol last week guard soldiers from all states and territories were asked to send support. OMAHA, NE (IRN) – The FBI Field Office that covers investigations in Iowa and Nebraska is asking the public to report threats of potential violence at any upcoming protests or gatherings leading up to Inauguration Day. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Eleven students from Brazil and Chile have filed a lawsuit accusing a northwest Iowa community college, a recruitment company, a pet food manufacturer and a packaging company of human trafficking and involuntary servitude. The lawsuit says Western Iowa Tech Community College and J&L Staffing, both in Sioux City, lured the students to Iowa under a work and study visa program only to push them into factory jobs that had no educational value. The students were paid less than U.S. employees and some of their money was deducted from their paychecks to fund kickbacks to the college and staffing agency. IOWA (IRN) – The National Weather Service has placed the western half of the state under a blizzard warning until 6 p.m. today. Much of the eastern half of the state is under a winter weather advisory. Strong winds coupled with moderate to heavy snowfall have led to blizzard conditions. Significant travel impacts are expected, especially along I-80 and I-35.