IOWA – Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased slightly to 3.2 percent in December amid hiring gains in both construction and manufacturing. The state’s jobless rate was 3.3 percent last month and 3.0 percent one year ago. The U.S. unemployment rate remained at 3.7 percent. Iowa’s labor force participation rate dropped to 67.7 percent in December, down 0.4 percent from last month, as 8,500 Iowans left the workforce. The national labor force participation rate is 62.5 percent. DAVENPORT – A Davenport man was sentenced this week to 100 years in federal prison for Producing, Distributing, and Possessing Child Pornography. According to court documents, 51 year old David Michael Woods sexually abused two children in his care, allowed other adult men to sexually abuse the children, produced recordings of the abuse and other sexual images of the minors, and distributed the images he produced to others. Woods was convicted after a jury trial in September 2023. PERRY – A reopening plan has been formalized for Perry Schools following the January 4th shooting. Raccoon Valley Radio reports an open house with counseling services will proceed each re-opening — elementary students will be welcomed back Wednesday, followed by the middle school next Thursday. Perry High School is scheduled to resume on January 31st. Each day will include early dismissals as well. IOWA – While bitter cold will last through Sunday morning statewide, a significant forecast shift is on the way. Many Iowans will have to figure out how to navigate slush and puddles by the early next week as highs and overnight lows top the freezing mark, which may be coupled with rounds of rainfall. The Iowa DOT advises drivers to be aware of potential overnight refreeze of snowmelt and precipitation.

DES MOINES – A Des Moines teenager responsible for a shooting that resulted in two deaths at an academy in Des Moines will likely spend the rest of his life in prison. WHO-13 reports Preston Walls was sentenced to 65 years this week, after he was found guilty of second degree murder and manslaughter for killing Gionni Dameron and Rashad Carr on January 23rd, 2023 at the Starts Right Here school. DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds has backed off on parts of a controversial bill that would have made significant cuts to service among Iowa’s Area Education Agencies. In a statement released Thursday, Reynolds announced several changes to legislation that would have reduced the AEAs to just performing special education services and directly funded schools instead of the organizations. An amendment to that legislation is expected by early next week, according to KCRG-TV. WASHINGTON D.C. – Senator Chuck Grassley has been released following a brief stay at an Iowa hospital. The oldest member of the upper chamber in the U.S. Capitol fought an infection earlier this week, missing his first votes on the floor in four years. A statement from his office says Grassley is expected to return to office next week. CLIVE – A Pottawattamie County man has claimed a $2 million Powerball prize, while a second multimillion-dollar prize is still up for grabs. Danny Buckelew of Treynor matched all five white balls in the Powerball drawing on Oct. 7, 2023.

MARSHALLTOWN – A Marshalltown man was sentenced to 21 months in prison after pleading guilty to crimes of insurance fraud. In 2018, following the EF-3 tornado that hit Marshalltown, 32 year old Timothy D. Sletten engaged in two separate schemes to defraud State Farm, the insurer of Sletten’s numerous residential rental properties. Following the 2020 derecho disaster in Marshalltown, Sletten again presented false work invoices from contractors. State Farm paid Sletten loss claim benefits totaling just over $180,000. State Farm opened an internal investigation that caused the company to deny payment of disaster-related claims made by Sletten. Additionally, Sletten was fined $50,000 and ordered to pay full restitution. IOWA – After most of the state received between 18-24″ of snow last week, which was followed by bitter arctic air, more snow and cold remains in the short term forecast. The National Weather Service projects 1-3″ of snow this afternoon and evening across the vast majority of Iowa, which will be followed by additional wind chills of 20 to 35 below zero continuing through most of the weekend. Warmer days are on the horizon though, as are chances for widespread rainfall. WEST BRANCH – Multiple schools went into a lockdown statewide Wednesday following calls of active shooters on the premise. KCRG-TV reports Marion High School, Cascade Junior/Senior High School, and West Branch schools were among those who received calls that attempted to prompt tactical team responses from police. DES MOINES – A country music legend is set to return to Des Moines. Willie Nelson has announced a performance at the Water Works Lauridsen Amphitheater on May 25th, according to KCCI-TV. Tickets go on sale this Friday.

WASHINGTON D.C. – The longtime senior senator of Iowa was hospitalized earlier this week. Chuck Grassley, who became the oldest member of the upper chamber in 2023, is receiving antibiotic infusions at an Iowa hospital to treat an infection. Grassley missed his first votes on the floor in nearly four years on Tuesday. DES MOINES – State lawmakers heard their first responses to a bill that would overhaul Area Education Agencies Tuesday. WHO-13 reports the House Education Committee welcomed in well over 100 comments in opposition to the proposal by Governor Kim Reynolds, which would ultimately cut back on the AEAs and their support of both public and private schools. Several more hearings are scheduled this session. WATERLOO – Police have identified a person found dead in Waterloo earlier this week. KCRG-TV reports Joseph Quail had a gunshot would when found by first responders. The investigation is ongoing.

IOWA – Former President Donald Trump showed the accuracy behind polls showing his staying power with Republicans, earning a substantial victory in the Iowa Caucus Monday. Just over half, or 51 percent, of the GOP indicated their support for a second Trump term. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis earned 21% of voters, and Ambassador Nikki Haley was at 19%. Turnout was at around 110,000 voters with 93% of counties reporting late Tuesday. After receiving just under 8% of the vote, Vivek Ramaswamy dropped his bid for president and endorsed Trump. IOWA – Eight different Walgreens locations are facing new charges from the Iowa Board of Pharmacy. The Des Moines Register reports the nature of the violations has not been released, but the stores had all been previously sanctioned related to record keeping of controlled substances. IOWA – A strong week of basketball is reflected in the latest national college basketball polls. The University of Iowa women are up to No. 2 in country, and both Iowa State’s men and women cracked the Top 25 for the first time this winter.