MIDWEST (IRN) – Bone-chilling cold gripped the middle of the U.S. as 2018 began, breaking low temperature records, icing some New Year’s celebrations and leading to at least two deaths attributed to exposure to the elements. Dangerously low temperatures enveloped eight Midwest states including parts of Kansas, Missouri, Illinois and Nebraska along with nearly all of Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota and North Dakota. Omaha’s temperature low of 15 below zero before midnight broke a record that had stood since 1884. WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – A 63-year-old man died after a house fire in Waterloo Saturday night. KCRG-TV reports the only resident of the home, Robert Smiley, was taken to a hospital after the blaze, but did not survive. Firefighters say the cold weather made it difficult for firefighters, as the closest hydrant was found frozen. But firefighters were able to find another hydrant down the street and contain the blaze. CERRO GORDO COUNTY, IA (IRN) – One person was injured in a single-vehicle crash Saturday night in Cerro Gordo County. KIMT-TV reports 41-year-old Brooke Sanchez-Peterson, of Mason City was taken to the hospital after the accident. Icy conditions caused her to slide through a stop sign at an intersection and off the roadway, down an embankment and into a tree. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – 2017 has been an unprecedented year for Des Moines firefighters, according to WHO-TV. Crews are dealing with record-breaking statistics and calls for service. Lieutenant Joe Van Haalen, president of the local union says, “we’re seeing about a 4.5% increase each year over the last several years in call volumes.” The reason? Van Haalen says it’s due to rapid city growth. COLFAX, IA (IRN) – Someone from central Iowa is ending 2017 on an extremely happy note. Powerball officials announced Sunday that a $1 million winning ticket was purchased at the Kum & Go store in Colfax.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Cedar Rapids police responded in large numbers to an overnight shooting. One witness says they heard police yell, ‘get down!” but authorities have released no additional information. IOWA (IRN) – A wind chill warning is in effect through Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service. Officials say as you’re planning your New Year’s Eve activities and festivities, know that many parts of Iowa could near record low temperatures tonight into Monday morning. Record low temperatures range between -15 and -20. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Central Iowa Shelters and Services is working to make sure every homeless person in Des Moines sleeps inside as frigid temperatures sweep across the state this weekend. KCCI-TV reports the shelter is bending some of its rules and allowing anyone to stay for the next few days while temperatures drop well below zero. Usually there is a time limit on how long someone can stay. Several people died about five years ago after a similar drop in temperatures. MEMPHIS, TN (IRN) – Allen Lazard caught 10 passes, including the decisive touchdown as the Iowa State Cyclones capped a historic season with a 21-20 win over Memphis in the Liberty Bowl Saturday. Lazard finished with a Liberty Bowl record 10 catches for 142 yards to earn MVP honors. His touchdown catch was his 10th of the season, setting a new school record. ISU had a chance to put the game away in the fourth quarter, but David Montgomery fumbled just before crossing the goal line, giving the ball back to Memphis. Iowa State’s defense rose to the occasion, turning Memphis away on downs to seal the win.

IOWA (IRN) – The number of fire-related deaths in Iowa is on track to total more than any year since 1993. WHO-TV reports so far, the State Fire Marshall’s Office has confirmed 38 people have died in a fire during 2017, but that number is expected to increase by more than a dozen after autopsy results come in. Twenty of these deaths have happened since Thanksgiving, with nine in Scott County this past week alone. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A truck drove into the side of a Des Moines building Friday, according to KCCI-TV. The truck bounced off the Peerless Supply building and ended up on the other side of the road. Those inside the building said the crash sounded like a bomb went off. The driver of the truck was taken to a nearby hospital, and at least two people inside the building were injured. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Snowy conditions in Iowa City Friday helped police catch bank robbers, according to KCRG-TV. Shortly after a robbery at the U.S. Bank a car slid off Interstate 80. Police found items from the robbery near the crash site and saw two sets of footprints in the snow. They arrested one man running from the crash and another who was hiding in a ditch. CEDAR FALLS, IA (IRN) – A small white kitten was stranded in the elements Friday morning in Cedar Falls. The kitten was spotted crouching on a street drain, and a man posted a photo of the kitten to Facebook explaining that he was at work and could not rescue it–putting out a plea for help. After a woman saw the post, she rescued the kitten. She posted several pictures of the kitten eating with her dog and snuggling down in blankets.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa is preparing to notify families in early February that federal money could run out for a health insurance program that covers roughly 60,000 low-income children in the state. The Iowa Department of Human Services is also exploring options in case funding ends for the Children’s Health Insurance Program, known in the state as Hawk-I. MILWAUKEE, IA (IRN) – SkyWest Airlines says a flight from Iowa to Detroit made an emergency landing in Milwaukee after a sudden loss of cabin pressure. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that the plane carrying 38 passengers and three crew members left Cedar Rapids at about 7 a.m. and landed safely in Milwaukee at about 8 a.m. Thursday. Passengers continued on to Detroit on different plane while crews investigated what caused the loss in cabin pressure. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A Des Moines man’s obituary is casting light on the opioid epidemic, according to KCCI-TV. 28-year-old Michael Emberlin died Saturday of a heroin overdose, and his family members wrote that he is “preceded in death by 13 of his friends who also lost their lives to the opioid epidemic.” Sandy Emberlin, Michael’s mother, says “we lost him a long time ago because it took the life out of him.” SIOUX CITY, IA (IRN) – A Sioux City honey business was vandalized and its hives were destroyed. KCAU-TV reports Justin Engelhardt, owner of “Wild Hill Honey,” was doing a routine check on the 50 hives Thursday morning and discovered the vandalism. More than half a million bees are dead from freezing temperatures, and the business may close. Englehardt says you can’t insure bees. MASON CITY, IA (IRN) – A Mason City man is facing a felony charge for allegedly using fake “For Motion Pictures Use Only” money at a pair of businesses. KIMT-TV reports 40-year-old Charles Reich used fake cash at McDonald’s and a convenience store. Police pulled him over and found him to be in possession of methamphetamine. He’s in jail. PLEASANT HILL, IA (IRN) – Students at Four Mile Elementary in Pleasant Hill come from eight different cultures, according to WOI-TV. ESL teacher Jill Brady is hosting a day long Diversity Celebration, which will offer lessons about different traditions, languages, food and clothing. Ms. Brady says many of her students are reluctant to share their cultures, for the fear of feeling considered an outsider. She hopes the celebration will help every student embrace the traditions and differences that make them unique.

DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – Two more children have died as a result of the Dec. 21 fire at a Davenport mobile home park. KWWL-TV reports 9-month-old Isabella Smead and 4-year-old Skylar Smead succumbed to injuries sustained in the fire at the Five Seasons park. Authorities already had reported the fire deaths of the children’s mother, 23-year-old Kelsey Clain, and two other children, Jayden Smead, who was 5, and 2-year-old Carson Smead. There were no working smoke detectors in the home. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – A man has been found guilty of murder for a shooting in a Cedar Rapids Walmart parking lot this summer. KGAN-TV reports 25-year-old Quarzone Martin was found guilty of second-degree murder. On July 2, police found 26-year-old Andrew Meeks and 30-year-old Johnny Moore Jr. with gunshot wounds in a vehicle in the parking lot. Police say their vehicle was moving when they were hit with gunfire and crashed into a guardrail. Meeks died as a result of his injuries. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Federal authorities have apprehended a suspect in an Omaha, Nebraska, triple homicide, according to KETV. 46-year-old John Dalton Jr. is accused of murdering his parents and his niece, 18-year-old Leonna Dalton-Phillip of Des Moines. Dalton-Phillip’s father says she was going to her grandparents’ house to pick up her little sister when the slayings occurred. Her little sister escaped and called for help. ONAWA, IA (IRN) – One person died in a house fire in the western Iowa town of Onawa Tuesday. The home was full of smoke when first responders arrived on scene, and the body of 37-year-old Garrett Brown was found inside. He lived alone. BETTENDORF, IA (IRN) – A Planned Parenthood clinic in Bettendorf that is providing abortions will close Friday, according to WQAD-TV. Planned Parenthood said in May that four of its 12 clinics in Iowa, including the Bettendorf location, would close. The announcement was made shortly after the Republican-controlled Iowa Legislature removed state funding for organizations that provide abortions. At the time, no federal or state dollars were being spent on abortions in Iowa. NEW YORK CITY, NY (IRN) – The drought is over. Iowa defeated Boston College in the Pinstripe Bowl 27-20 for its first bowl win since 2010. KCRG-TV reports Akrum Wadley was named the game’s MVP after finishing with a career-high 283 all-purpose yards. Head coach Kirk Ferentz collected his 143rd career win tying him with Hayden Fry for most wins at Iowa.