CEDAR RAPIDS – Three people have been identified in a double homicide and suicide in Cedar Rapids. KCRG-TV reports 54-year-old Lynn Martin was found with self-inflicted wounds and the two others were 87-year-old Rita Martin and 57-year-old Alan Martin. All three were relatives and lived in Cedar Rapids. DES MOINES – Lawmakers passed their first self-imposed deadline of the 2025 legislative session on Friday, with several bills advancing into the next round of legislation. Among those moving forward into the next few weeks of work is a bill to lower the age limit to carry a gun to 18, establishing an elective social studies class about the Bible, and banning the intentional emission of chemicals into the air to change the weather. DES MOINES – A group that works to resettle refugees has cut dozens of staff members. WHO-13 reports Lutheran Services of Iowa has cut their resettlement program, resulting in job loss for 28 employees due to frozen federal funding. The group welcomed more than 1000 refugees in late December. It claims they have not received months of reimbursements from the federal government, dating back to October.

HARLAN – The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office has requested state assistance with the investigation of a standoff situation in Harlan. A press release issued Thursday details an incident with an armed male subject, identified as 36-year-old David Plagmann, who is accused of taking “aggressive movements towards law enforcement” during negotiations with police. Plagmann was shot at and hit, which was followed by life saving efforts — but he later died at a nearby hospital. Police also identified 31-year-old Alexis Martin as a female found dead at the scene of the incident. SHENANDOAH – A priest is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from his own church in western Iowa. KCCI-TV reports Rev. Thomas Thakadipuram faces six counts of first degree theft after he allegedly removed certificates of deposits belonging to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Shenandoah and deposited into a bank account for a fake missionary group. Law enforcement accuses Thakadipuram of stealing nearly $165,000. DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds has ordered all flags in Iowa to be lowered to half-staff and remain at half-staff from sunrise to sunset today in honor and remembrance of former Iowa State Senate President Jack Kibbie. Kibbie served in both the Iowa House and Senate, and served as a tank commander in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

IOWA – A powerful blizzard closed major highways in the state and caused major pileup crashes across Iowa on Wednesday. The Iowa Department of Transportation and Iowa State Patrol both reported dozens of incidents, especially in the western half of the state that caused significant damage to vehicles and injured at least nine people. Wind gusts up to 70 MPH were recorded in many Iowa communities, coupled with 2-5 inches of snowfall in many of those same locations. An additional round of moderate snow is possible late tonight into Thursday, especially along and north of Interstate 80. DUBUQUE – The Dubuque County Sheriff defended the hire of a deputy who was accused as a teenager of sexual abuse. KCRG-TV reports Sheriff Joseph Kennedy says a felony charge against Matthew Pothoff came up during a background check, but claims it was dismissed without prejudice. Pothoff was accused of drugging a fellow teenager and abusing her in 2017, according to a Dyersville Commercial Report. His father is also a member of the Dubuque County Board of Supervisors and former Sheriff’s Deputy. Lawyers defending Pothoff during a lawsuit and the criminal case say the girl involved was the aggressor and changed her version of the narrative.

IOWA – Strong winds will continue to pummel most of the state today following heavy rain that started Tuesday and changed to snow overnight. Gusts up to 70 MPH caused several power outages and impassable travel conditions due to blizzard conditions on Interstate 80 west of Des Moines. Powerful wind gusts will continue well into the evening for many across the state. Another chance of winter weather returns early Friday before much warmer conditions settle in next week, according to the National Weather Service. MARSHALL COUNTY – A semi driver was killed after losing control of his vehicle in Marshall County Tuesday. WHO-13 reports the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office responded to the semi trailer crash, which reportedly was a result of the large vehicle veering off of Highway 330 and through a guardrail and down an embankment. The semi was on fire as first responders arrived. The Iowa State Patrol is assisting with the investigation. DES MOINES – A bill moving through the Iowa Senate would provide a pay increase beginning in 2027 for lawmakers and state administrators. The Des Moines Register reports the governor’s office would see a $100,000 increase and senators and representatives a $20,000 bump, with increases for all state-elected offices such as the attorney general, auditor, and secretary of agriculture. An Iowa Senate subcommittee advanced the legislation that would mark the first increase for state officials since 2007.

IOWA – An intense storm system will bring rain to the area today, transitioning over to snow overnight and causing hazardous travel, especially in Western Iowa. The National Weather Service predicts gusts of 50-60 mph will be consistent, especially after midnight and into much of Wednesday, as a powerful cold front sweeps behind potentially heavy rainfall. This will result in a period of potential blizzard conditions with significant visibility reduction in blowing snow along with very difficult travel, mainly along and west of Interstate 35. AMES – An Iowa State University student faces charges for alleged sexual exploitation of a minor. KCCI-TV reports 43-year-old Patrick A. Connerley of Hubbard is charged with three felony charges after the university police department investigated claims an undergraduate student was communicating with minors on social media. The department says the messages were sexual in nature. Connerley is a senior in horticulture and an undergraduate student. He’s been previously charged in 2015 with sexual exploitation of a minor, pled guilty, and was placed on the sex offender registry. Connerley successfully had his named removed from the registry in 2021. DES MOINES – An Iowa House Bill has advanced through committee that would limit federal food assistance to healthy choices. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports the bill ties a move to add $1 million to the Double Up Food Bucks program by restricting what SNAP could be spent on. Republicans advanced the measure despite objections from several groups, including a grocery store lobbyist who claimed the changes would be difficult to police and may force stores to drop access to SNAP. Republicans argue the bill would encourage purchases on healthier choices in hunger assistance. A similar bill in the Senate does not include the restrictions tied to the food security increase.