DES MOINES – The Iowa Senate passed a bill that requires Iowa’s Secretary of State to verify the citizenship status of voters. WHO-13 reports Senate File 2203 was passed mainly along party lines and requires the secretary of state to use the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements program. Opponents argue that the measure has declared otherwise eligible voters ineligible in other states using it. Those in favor say that 35 votes from noncitizens counted in the 2024 election in Iowa. AMES – Iowa State University is ending a program that promised free tuition to some Des Moines students. KCCI-TV reports the ISU 4U Promise Program was designed to make college more affordable for students at King and Moulton Elementary, which are among the state’s poorest zip codes. Iowa State contributed more than $1 million to the program since 2015, but budget concerns have leadership reconsidering it as an option. DES MOINES – Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds ordered flags to be at half-staff today to honor Former First Lady of Iowa Billie Lee Ray. The Des Moines Register reports that Ray died on February 18th and that her visitation will be held today. Ray was married to long time Governor Robert Ray, and both founded an organization at Drake University dedicated to Character Counts.

AMES – The Ames woman hit by a motorcycle last week has died. The Iowa State Patrol reports 80-year-old Margaret Olson was struck on February 18th while trying to cross the street at the intersection of Lincoln Way and South Russel Avenue. An update released on Tuesday indicated Olson died from her injuries. No charges have been filed in the case. URBANDALE – Urbandale police are investigating a shooting death involving multiple juveniles as a homicide. The Des Moines Register reports a 14-year-old boy was killed on Sunday in the incident at an apartment complex. The teen was found dead at the scene, and Urbandale Police ruled out a suicide. Two other boys, ages 13 and 14, are identified now as suspects, and both have been charged with going armed with intent. CASS COUNTY – One person was found dead inside of a burning home on Tuesday in Cass County. WHO-13 reports several nearby fire departments responded to a house fire near Griswold. Upon arrival, first responders found the building fully engulfed and starting to collapse. Firefighters found one person dead inside the structure. An investigation is ongoing.

DES MOINES – The Iowa Senate voted to approve a compromise agreement with the Iowa House for a two percent increase in school funding for the next academic year. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports Senate File 2201 also includes $7 million for paraeducator and support personnel pay and the implementation of a new system to determine student enrollment, with counts occurring twice per year. An additional $42.2 million was added to fund school districts in the budget guarantee, removing that burden from property tax rolls for one year only. ORIENT – An Orient man is accused of intentionally setting his own house on fire. WHO-13 reports Adair County dispatch responded to a 911 call of a fire on February 12th. First responders found a home fully engulfed in flames and spreading into the yard, threatening nearby properties. During that response, 33-year-old Ansley Matthew Page arrived at the Adair County Sheriff’s Office and claimed he was responsible for the fire. He allegedly also made social media posts admitting to the act. Three cats were killed in the incident. Page has been charged with reckless use of fire and three counts of animal neglect resulting in death. DES MOINES – Workers of Whirlpool protested at the Iowa State Capitol on Monday after the company announced more than 300 terminations in Amana. KCCI-TV reports 341 workers will lose their jobs by March 9th, which follows a layoff of 250 employees last year. Several union workers joined the Whirlpool employee protest.

SHELBY COUNTY – One person died in a snowmobile accident in western Iowa over the weekend. WHO-13 reports the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office responded just after midnight on Sunday to an incident. Portsmouth resident Scott Gau, a 64-year-old, has been identified as the individual who died in the crash. He was found unresponsive in a creek. IOWA CITY – A UNI football player who died after collapsing at a workout was remembered by his hometown over the weekend. The Des Moines Register reports the Little Hawk Arena at City High School was the site of a memorial service for Parker Sutherland on Sunday. The City High graduate died on February 14th. Teammates and family members were among those who spoke about his life and legacy. DES MOINES – Two Iowa High School wrestlers joined elite company this past weekend at the 2026 state tournament. KCCI-TV reports Fort Dodge’s Dreshaun Ross and Osage’s Blake Fox are now among 34 individuals all-time who have won a state title in all four years of their high school experience. Only six of those athletes finished their careers undefeated. There are now 107 three-time boys state wrestling champions in Iowa High School history.

DES MOINES – The search firm sued for its role in hiring former Des Moines Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts is countersuing the school district. The Des Moines Register reports JG Consulting accuses the Des Moines School Board of defamation in ongoing legal fallout following the arrest and subsequent guilty plea of Roberts, who lacked authorization to live or work in the United States. The Des Moines Independent School District has blamed JG Consulting for failing to properly vet Roberts and has sued for breach of contract. The search firm claims confirming the citizenship of candidates fell on the shoulders of the school board, not their own background checks. PELLA – Vermeer Corporation has announced acquisition of 186 acres of land with the intent to build an all-new, 300,000 square foot facility in the Des Moines metro, located in Bondurant. It will be home to initially more than 300 jobs related to the manufacture and support of Vermeer industrial parts and equipment. The $102.7 million capital investment is expected to create 182 jobs, including 62 at a qualifying wage of $35.11 per hour. The Iowa Economic Development Authority Board awarded $5.1 million in tax credits through the BIG program. AMES- An impeachment attempt against the sitting Student President of Iowa State University will not move forward. KCCI-TV reports the Iowa State Student Government had passed articles of impeachment against Colby Brandt. The Student Government Judicial Branch ruled against that motion, claiming they were violating First Amendment rights. The university released a statement on Friday.