GRINNELL, IA (IRN) – Grinnell College says an Oklahoma congressman relinquished his honorary degree after a petition circulated asking for it to be revoked. Rep. Tom Cole received the honorary degree from Grinnell in 2016. The petition was started after Cole objected to last week’s certification of the electoral vote. Grinnell College President Anne Harris says those who supported a baseless challenge to a free and fair election threatened the electoral process. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Judicial buildings and courthouses in Des Moines are being boarded up at the advice of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. This comes after the U.S. Capitol was stormed last week and President Donald Trump was impeached by Congress on Wednesday. President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will be sworn into office on Jan. 20. Armed protests are planned at all 50 state capitols. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Susan Christensen said Wednesday that while the coronavirus pandemic forced the court system to enact two shutdowns of jury trials and institute remote hearings, she is determined to resume in-person trials in February. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Linn County received its first COVID-19 vaccines last month but there aren’t enough to go around, even for those first in line such as healthcare workers. Local health officials urge patience. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The National Weather Service has issued multiple weather advisories for the state today and tomorrow. A high wind warning has been issued for northwest Iowa. A winter weather advisory has been issued for north and northeast Iowa. A wind advisory has been issued for west and southwest Iowa, and a hazardous weather outlook has been issued for east and southeast Iowa.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa’s COVID-19 hospitalizations have decreased by 1,000 since a peak in November as the state nears 300,000 total positive cases. There have been 4,232 deaths since the start of the pandemic. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Des Moines man seen on video and in photos at the deadly riots inside the U.S. Capitol appeared before a federal judge Tuesday. Federal prosecutors introduced an indictment against 41-year-old Doug Jensen. He’s charged with assaulting, resisting or impeding an officer, knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, disrupting the orderly conduct of government business, violent entry and disorderly conduct in a Capitol Building, parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol Building, and obstructing a law enforcement officer during a civil disorder. Jensen asked the court to have a defense attorney appointed for him. WAUKEE, IA (IRN) – A racist video sent to a group chat has some Waukee High School students and parents upset. A video of a Black female being hanged in front of a Confederate flag circulated at the school. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is asking lawmakers to immediately send her a bill to sign into law that would require schools to offer parents the option of having their children in classrooms full time despite continuing high levels of coronavirus. DECORAH, IA (IRN) – Students at Luther College completed the first half of their second-quarter online, but are now required to go back to in-person classes. Over 700 students signed a petition objecting. They want learning to be all-virtual.

CLEAR LAKE, IA (IRN) – A Clear Lake woman involved in an accident nearly a year ago has died from her injuries. Brandi Pals, 20, was involved in a crash on Feb. 12, 2020, when a bus failed to obey a stop sign and struck her car. NEWTON, IA (IRN) – Republican U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley said Monday that even if Donald Trump is not impeached, the outgoing president has tarnished his legacy and has little authority to lead the Republican Party in the future. Republican U.S. Senator Joni Ernst says it’s time for the nation to begin to heal. Ernst says, “let’s move on… let’s get President Biden into place…” and “Let’s get the new administration going and let’s start healing our nation.” DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Lawmakers gaveled in the first session of the 2021 Iowa Legislature Monday. A large but peaceful group of protesters that has concerns about mask mandates and vaccination guidelines gathered inside the Rotunda, and none wore masks. About 200 members of a group called Informed Choice Iowa say Gov. Kim Reynolds has abused the emergency powers act by mandating masks. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Iowa City Mayor Bruce Teague has extended a mask mandate for the city due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The order requires every person in the City of Iowa City to wear a face covering over their nose and mouth when in a public place. It lasts until May 31. AMES, IA (IRN) – Iowa State will not be taking on Kansas State in men’s basketball on Wednesday. The Big 12 Conference says the game has been postponed because Kansas State was unable to meet the conference’s required COVID-19 thresholds on Monday. The schools and the Big 12 say they will work to reschedule the game.

CLIVE, IA (IRN) – Three people have died and two were injured in an overnight pursuit in Clive that ended in a crash. The vehicle was stolen from Urbandale. The driver lost control, the car flipped several times, collided with a light pole, and launched across Walnut Creek, striking the bank and coming to rest at the edge of a parking lot. Officers found multiple occupants ejected from the vehicle, and provided lifesaving measures while awaiting help from medics. Police said five young males were found at the scene. Three died and two were taken to local hospitals. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Governor Kim Reynolds has ordered all flags in Iowa to be lowered to half-staff until Wednesday. The move is to honor and remember United States Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick and Howard Liebengood, as well as Capitol Police Officers and law enforcement all across Iowa and the U.S. Sicknick died as a result of injuries he sustained defending the Capitol building during Wednesday’s pro-Trump Capitol seige. Liebengood, another Capitol Police officer who defended the against rioters, died in an apparent suicide. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Democratic Party closed its Des Moines headquarters after it received messages threatening the lives of its staff. They received the threat Friday morning. VINCENT, IA (IRN) – The Webster County Sheriff’s Office is investigating what appears to be a murder-suicide Saturday. Investigators believe 69-year-old Allen Will shot and killed 67-year-old Karen Will and then turned the gun on himself. WAUKEE, IA (IRN) – A beloved Waukee youth football coach has died from complications from COVID-19. Kevin Slaybaugh was hospitalized and died on January 6th.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Democratic Party closed its Des Moines headquarters after it received messages threatening the lives of its staff. The IDP said they received the threat on Friday morning. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Des Moines police are investigating a shooting that left one person injured on the south side Saturday night. A man was shot in the leg. ANKENY, IA (IRN) – The Polk County Health Department is worried a new proclamation issued by Gov. Kim Reynolds could lead to a spike in COVID-19 cases. The proclamation lifts restrictions on how many people can gather for recreational and sporting events. Several metro schools are still sticking with the two spectators per player. LINN COUNTY, IA (IRN) – Linn County Deputies pulled a man from the water after he lost control of his car. A truck blew a front tire blew, causing the driver to lose control. The truck went into a ditch and rolled onto its side within a body of water. Fortunately, the truck stopped before going underwater and the driver was able to escape without injury.