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.

IOWA – The final polls ahead of tonight’s Iowa Caucuses shows former President Donald Trump with a substantial lead. An Iowa State University survey shows GOP voters will overwhelmingly support former President Donald Trump as their first choice, at 55%. An NBC/Des Moines Register poll shows 48% of Republicans support Trump. Both Ambassador Nikki Haley and Former Florida Governor Ron DeSantis are virtually tied based on margin of error in both polls as well. Caucuses will take place at 7:00 this evening for both parties, but only Republicans will make their presidential nominee choice known this evening. PERRY – The principal of Perry High School who was shot will attempting to talk down a student attacking others has died. Raccoon Valley Radio reports Dan Marburger was hospitalized for 10 days after the January 4th attack. Marburger was out of surgery on the same day, but died on Sunday morning. The return to classes has been delayed in the Perry school district as well. IOWA – The Iowa State Patrol responded to 168 crashes and assisted nearly 1200 motorists during this past weekend’s blizzard. No fatalities were reported, but roads of all kinds were in rough shape as 6-12″ of blowing snow fell across much of the state Friday, piling on top of a round of heavy snow that fell last Monday and Tuesday.