CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – A former counselor at a residential treatment facility for minors, accused of sexually abusing a teen boy and later giving birth to his child, is expected to plead guilty in March. Danielle Hook, 30, was arrested in July 2020 and charged with 3rd sexual abuse, sexual exploitation by a counselor and harboring a runaway. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – A teenager’s drowning death last year is prompting lawmakers in Iowa to consider making it a crime to fail to call emergency responders to report when someone appears to be in serious danger. The family of Noah Herring supports the bill. Herring was 15 when he drowned in April in Coralville Reservoir. Three teens and an adult were present, but none placed a call to get help. They were cited with theft and criminal mischief charges, but no state law exists for ignoring help to someone in a dangerous situation. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The coronavirus contributed to the death of actress and Des Moines native Cloris Leachman, but was not the underlying cause. The San Diego County Medical Examiner said Leachman died of a stroke and coronavirus was a significant condition that contributed to her death. Leachman died Jan. 27 at her home in California at the age of 94. She was born in Des Moines and was a legend in local theater before moving to Hollywood where she became an award-winning actress. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Hawkeye men’s basketball team announced Saturday that former basketball player Michael Reaves has died at age 54. The university said he died at his home in Georgia on Friday. Reaves played for the Hawkeyes between 1985 and 1988 for head coaches George Raveling and Tom Davis. Reaves played in four NCAA tournaments reaching the Elite Eight in 1987 and the Sweet 16 in 1988.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A U.S. House committee has taken the first step toward investigating Iowa’s second congressional district race between Democrat Rita Hart and Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks. Hart lost the November election to Miller-Meeks by six votes. In December, Hart filed a petition asking the U.S. House of Representatives to review the race and its recount. She claims 22 ballots that should have been counted were not. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A mother and son from Iowa have been charged after they participated in the insurrection in the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Deborah Sandoval, of Des Moines, and Salvador Sandoval Jr., of Ankeny, were arrested on federal warrants. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa Republican state Sen. Brad Zaun of Urbandale was found with a handgun during screening at the Des Moines International Airport on Friday. CEDAR FALLS, IA (IRN) – More than 20 years after it was installed, the University of Northern Iowa is pushing plans to replace the UNI-Dome’s fabric roof. The estimated $7 million to $8 million project was advanced by the Iowa Board of Regents’ property and facilities committee earlier this week. MADISON, WI (IRN) – The Iowa vs. Wisconsin wrestling dual scheduled for Sunday in Madison, Wisconsin has been canceled. The Big Ten Conference made the announcement on Friday night following a decision by the Wisconsin medical staff. Covid-19 diagnoses on the Wisconsin team led to the decision.

WAPELLO COUNTY, IA (IRN) – Authorities in Wapello County are investigating the shooting death of an alleged home intruder. The Wapello County Sheriff’s Office said it received a call around 9:19 p.m. Thursday regarding a man attempting to enter a home located in a rural area outside Ottumwa. The sheriff’s office’s preliminary investigation indicates the homeowner shot the man inside the residence after he forced entry. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A senior officer with the Des Moines Police Department is on paid administrative leave Thursday after being arrested in Altoona. The Altoona Police Department charged DMPD Senior Officer Rodney Alan Briggs with non-felonious misconduct in office after he used his police credentials to access video connected to an investigation into his girlfriend. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – A driver who refused to stop for Cedar Rapids Police hit multiple cars before being arrested on Thursday. Darius Watt, 30, of Cedar Rapids, faces multiple charges. Video shows Watt weaving through traffic at speeds in excess of 80 mph before he was stopped. FREDERICKSBURG, IA (IRN) – A town in Chickasaw County is losing one of its largest employers next month. Kerry Incorporated, a frozen foods ingredients factory based in Ireland, announced earlier this week it will close its plant in Fredericksburg. MADISON, WI (IRN) – Luka Garza scored 30 points as No. 11 Iowa pulled away to beat No. 21 Wisconsin 77-62 on Thursday night. Garza raised his nation-leading average to 24.7 points, making 11 of 19 shots, including 4 of 6 from three-point range, and grabbing eight rebounds.

DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – A Davenport man is being charged murder in the death of his mother Tuesday. Officers found Dianne Rupp, 77, from Davenport, dead inside her apartment. Police arrested her son, Andrew Rupp, 53. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – State lawmakers have sent a new education funding bill to Gov. Kim Reynolds, and it falls short of what she proposed. The Senate passed a 2.4% funding increase for K-12 education. Reynolds suggested a 2.5% increase. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Iowa’s Republican-dominated Legislature is advancing a bill that would drastically rewrite state election law in a way that critics say would favor the party. The bill would cut the mail and in-person early voting period from 29 to 18 days. It would bar counties from mailing absentee ballot applications to voters, tightly regulate how absentee ballots can be returned and potentially cut many early voting locations.The Iowa State Association of County Auditors is against the bill. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa has dropped plans for a centralized registration system to help frustrated seniors and other Iowans find appointments for COVID-19 vaccinations. Gov. Kim Reynolds said Wednesday the state has cancelled a contract with Microsoft to build a new statewide system for shots. The Governor says trying to implement such a system could cause more disruption. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The IHSAA wrestling tournament is underway in Des Moines. It’s the largest of its kind in the country. Even with reduced attendance because of coronavirus protocols, it’s still expected to bring $1.5 million dollars to Des Moines businesses.

CARROLL, IA (IRN) – Fire crews spent the night fighting a fire and explosion next door to a popular Oil Company in Carroll. The fire was at a building near Al’s Corner on Highway 71 around 10 p.m. Al’s Corner wasn’t damaged. WASHINGTON, D.C. (IRN) – The Des Moines man charged in the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol insurrection faces a new federal charge. Doug Jensen, 41, originally faced six federal charges. A new charge alleges he possessed a knife at the time of the riots. Jensen was arrested in Des Moines and booked into the Polk County Jail Jan. 9. He has since been moved to federal custody in Washington, D.C. EAGLE GROVE, IA (IRN) – Authorities are investigating a homicide at Prestage foods in Eagle Grove. One white male brutally stabbed another. A suspect is in custody. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – An Iowa Senate subcommittee voted to advance a bill prohibiting employers from mandating vaccines for employees and creating a new exemption from required school immunizations. Senate File 193, sponsored by five Senate Republicans, would also prohibit discrimination based on vaccine status. Anti-vaccination groups, including the National Vaccine Information Center, which has been criticized for promoting false or misleading claims regarding vaccines, supported the bill. MARION, IA (IRN) – The Marion Independent School District has narrowed its list for a new mascot to three options. The three finalists now being considered to replace the current Indians mascot are: Mavericks, Red Wolves or Red Storm. The school district narrowed down the list after reviewing suggestions submitted by students, parents, staff, alumni, and community members.