MILLS COUNTY – A Nebraska man has died in a two vehicle crash in Mills County. The Iowa State Patrol reports a vehicle driven by 39-year-old Jacob Otto Saxer of Bellevue, Nebraska, was traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of Highway 34, causing a collision with a Kia Niro driven by 25-year-old Leeva Unique Kitchens of Sidney. Saxer was not wearing a seatbelt and died from his injuries, and Kitchens was transported to Bellevue Hospital.

COUNCIL BLUFFS – A Council Bluffs man is accused of killing two others last month. KETV reports Dequanta Zachary faces two counts of first degree murder for the deaths of 36-year-old Deonte Ivory and 25-year-old Michael Anderson. Both men were found dead last week in two separate areas and each had gunshot wounds. Police believe Zachary was an associate of the two victims.

FORT DODGE – The Iowa National Guard is closing their base in Fort Dodge. WHO-13 reports that city leaders were made aware of the change and are studying the site for potential future use. It could take five years before full closure, which would impact the 133rd Air Control Squadron.

IOWA – Governor Kim Reynolds has requested an expedited Presidential Disaster Declaration for nine Iowa counties where significant damage was sustained from severe weather that occurred on April 26. The governor requested funding under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Individual Assistance Program and the activation of the U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Program for Clarke, Crawford, Harrison, Mills, Polk, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Shelby, and Union Counties. In addition, the governor requested funding to conduct hazard mitigation activities for the entire state.

OSCEOLA – While rounds of rainfall in April have carried over into May, there’s still a long way to go for many to get out of a long-term drought. WHO-13 reports while West Lake near Osceola has risen two feet over the past week, it’s still well below normal. Osceola gets their water from the lake, and several conservation efforts have been implemented to try and get the reservoir to refill faster and to preserve what’s currently in the area.

HIAWATHA – Authorities have identified a 14-year-old in the suspect of a shooting at a Hiawatha gas station. KCRG-TV reports Christopher Troy McDaniel is charged with attempted murder of a peace officer, 3rd degree burglary, and weapons charges. Hiawatha police say they responded to a call of a young man in a store with a gun. Once police arrived, they claimed McDaniel fired at officers twice.

AMES – Emails show more details as to why investigators gathered evidence against student athletes and online sports betting. WHO-13 reports the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation used geofencing to track cell phone activity at both Iowa and Iowa State. DCI agents believed Iowa Code allowed them to use the software, which is already used by the Racing and Gaming Commission. No warrant was ever issued. Multiple agents disclosed their use in a series of emails, but expressed their actions may not have been popular. A lawsuit is ongoing in Story County Court with several athletes seeking damages, believing their constitutional rights were violated.

DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds signed a bill Wednesday at lowers all tax rates in Iowa to 3.8% on income. The Des Moines Register reports this accelerated previous legislation that would have established the flat tax by 2026. The law gives Iowa the sixth-lowest income tax rate among those that have them — nine states do not have one.

PERRY (NOT FOR RVR) – Members of the Perry Police Department received Iowa’s Medal of Merit for their actions on January 4th. KCCI-TV reports Representative Zach Nun presented four officers with the recognition for their response to the Perry High School shooting. That included Chief Eric Vaughn, Officer Micaela Zagar, Officer Cameron Martinez and School Resource Officer Josh Moore.

ANKENY – The Iowa Beef Industry announced JJ’s Tavern and Grill in Ankeny was the winner of Iowa’s Best Burger Contest. The annual award takes place via vote to get to ten different finalists. JJ’S Smash Burger was its highlight, featuring American cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion and pickles

OWELEIN – The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is assisting the Oelwein Police Department with an unattended death investigation. Oelwein Police say they received a report of a possible dead body located in a wooded area. The body has been transported to the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office in Ankeny. Fayette County authorities are also assisting.

TAMA – An Iowa man has been charged with first degree murder for his alleged role in the killing of another woman’s husband in 2021. The Des Moines Register reports the Iowa DCI’s Major Crime Unit arrested 26-year-old Huston Danker on Monday. He’s accused of conspiring to shoot and kill Ryan Cooper of Traer nearly three years ago. Cooper’s wife Karina has also been arrested and charged for her role in the death. Investigators described the death as violent. Police claim the two worked together to ultimately kill Ryan.

MILLERTON – Another round of severe weather brought large hail to several Iowa communities and a possible tornado near Millerton. Dozens of warnings were issued by the National Weather Service as a series of storms formed in western Iowa and dropped egg-sized hail in Malvern and Cass County and quarter-sized in half a dozen other locations. The active weather period will shift to widespread rainfall Thursday — most of the state should see up to 2″ of rain in a series of rain showers expected.

NOT FOR KNIA – PELLA – Thousands of visitors are expected to converge on the Tulip City for its annual heritage festival. The 89th Tulip Time will be held in Pella this Thursday through Saturday. Typically, 150,000 people attend the three-day celebration. Those attending will want to bring umbrellas, especially Thursday, as periodic rainfall is expected.