IOWA (IRN) – Iowa regulators have approved a rate increase that’s lower than what Alliant Energy sought. On Thursday the Iowa Utilities Board also decided that Alliant must refund around $7.5 million to customers who paid interim rate increases. Several customers objected, and a settlement was reached. The board approved increasing the monthly customer charge to $13 from $11.50 for residential customers and to $20 from $19 for general service customers.

DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – The 19-year-old accused of killing 74-year-old Robert Long of Davenport and stealing his car, also has an active warrant in Rock Island County Illinois. WQAD-TV reports Charlie Gary stole another elderly man’s car and flat-screen TV, along with hitting the man over the head with that TV and a lamp.

CORALVILLE, IA (IRN) – A body found Thursday morning in the Iowa River is believed to be that of a missing Coralville woman. KGAN-TV reports Kathryn Ironside was reported missing Monday night.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Human Services provided data for an audit of its Medicaid Home Health Program that was so flawed that it was unusable, according to state auditor Rob Sand. KCCI-TV reports Sand said his staff tried for months to get usable data on the number of patients served, the services received and fees paid. It took eight months to get information from DHS, and when it arrived, the data was useless.

JOHNSON COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A Johnson County woman is being honored for her work as a foster parent for over 50 years. KCRG-TV reports Linda Herring has served as a foster parent for over 500 children.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Science Center of Iowa has announced the IMAX theater may never reopen after flooding caused the popular attraction to close in June 2018. The center has been battling with its insurance company to get a settlement for more than $3 million in damages. The 216-seat theater that houses the six-story domed screen has been empty for 18 months.

NEVADA, IA (IRN) – A 20-year-old man has been sentenced to 55 years in prison for his role in the violent robbery and assault of an elderly central Iowa woman. The Des Moines Register reports that Manuel Eduardo Balderas was one of three men accused of breaking into the then-82-year-old woman’s home in Kelley, temporarily blinding the grandmother before beating, sexually assaulting, and robbing her.

COLO, IA (IRN) – Story County authorities have identified the two people who died in what officials believe is a murder-suicide in Colo. KCCI-TV reports the two people found dead in a home were spouses Richard Davis, 79, and Charlotte Davis, 78. A firearm was used.

GARRISON, IA (IRN) – A man was killed in an accident at a Benton County quarry, according to KCRG-TV. First responders were called to a report of an employee trapped in a rock bin at Wendling Quarries near Garrison. A 30-year-old male from Vinton was killed in the accident.

ANKENY, IA (IRN) – Yesterday was National Take the Stairs Day and students and staff at DMACC Ankeny took the stairs all day long. The American Lung Association partnered with the DMACC Climb Team to have people climbing on four stair climber machines nonstop for 17 hours. People took shifts in 30-minute intervals. Climbing stairs burns two to three times more calories than other exercises, and the event was to encourage all of us to take the stairs.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A central Iowa nonprofit wants to convert a former Des Moines elementary school turned church into a homeless shelter. The Des Moines Register reports Hope Ministries, which has operated in the Des Moines area since 1915, wants to convert the former Douglas Elementary into a shelter capable of serving around 100 women and children. Neighbors don’t want it, fearing the homeless shelter could bring crime, panhandlers and lower property values.

GARNER, IA (IRN) – A Hancock County man has been given decades behind bars for sexual abuse. KIMT-TV reports Paul Dean Dewitt, 74 of Britt, was accused of abusing a female victim multiple times. On Tuesday, Dewitt was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – One person was injured following a car vs. bike accident in Dubuque yesterday, according to KWWL-TV. A 34-year-old woman was transported to the hospital. The driver of the pickup who hit her fled the scene.

CARROLL, IA (IRN) – A destructive attempt to cancel classes at an Iowa school could end with a felony charge for a middle school student. WHO-TV reports officers were called to Carroll Middle School around 2:55 a.m. Monday when they were alerted by a delivery driver who couldn’t gain access to the school. All of the electronic access readers were broken and nearly a dozen doors with keyholes were covered with an epoxy. Video shows a current middle school student causing the damage.

OSKALOOSA, IA (IRN) – Oskaloosa head basketball coach Ryan Parker will undergo a life-saving kidney transplant Thursday in Iowa City, according to KCCI-TV. Parker says he became sick two years ago. He found out a year ago he needed a kidney transplant and has been relying on dialysis to stay alive. Tuesday night was his last game of the season.

FAYETTE COUNTY, IA (IRN) – One person died after a truck crashed into a skid loader in Fayette County Saturday night. KGAN-TV reports a 2002 Chevy truck driven by Urban Kriener, 76, of Waucoma, rear-ended the skid loader.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – A former bus driver for a Linn County school district has been charged with multiple crimes in regard to inappropriate behavior toward a student, according to KCRG-TV. Thomas Alan Williams, 57, was a bus driver for the College Community School District. The incident happened during his morning bus route.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A judge has approved a payment of $3.1 million for lawyers representing a former state official that a jury found was discriminated against by former Gov. Terry Branstad. KWWL-TV reports Branstad, now U.S. ambassador to China, was found to have discriminated and retaliated against Chris Godfrey in 2011 because he’s gay. Taxpayers have already paid a $1.5 million verdict to Godfrey, and $2.9 million to Branstad’s attorneys.

JOHNSTON, IA (IRN) – As “Death to America” threats are hurled in Iran, another threat looms in America from within. WHO-TV reports nationally, only 30 percent of young adults between the ages of 17 to 24 can qualify for military service. One problem in Iowa is obesity. A recent report says over 35 percent of Iowa adults are obese. That number is tied for the fifth highest obesity rate in the country and above all bordering states.