IOWA – Storms return to the forecast on Thursday into Thursday night statewide, many of which could be severe. According to the National Weather Service, development has a level 2 (of 5) risk for severe weather, with large hail the primary risk. Some of the hail stones could be up to two inches in diameter. COUNCIL BLUFFS – A Canada man was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity in Iowa. According to court documents, commercial truck driver Quentin Joel Nighttraveller drove his fourteen-year-old daughter from Canada to the United States. In Minnesota, Nighttraveller stopped to get the truck repaired and sexually assaulted the victim. They continued the trip and while in Avoca, the victim ran from the truck in the gas station and requested assistance. After completing his term of imprisonment, Nighttraveller will be required to serve a five-year term of supervised release. DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds directed Iowa Health and Human Services to submit a waiver to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to establish work requirements for Medicaid recipients. The waiver reflects pending Iowa House and Senate legislation, which includes exemptions in addition to other individually approved exemptions for minors, senior citizens, and those with disabilities. Iowans who do not meet the new requirements will no longer be eligible for Medicaid coverage.

DES MOINES – A Des Moines man who shot at police in eastern Iowa in February has been sentenced. WHO-13 reports Christopher Kern was accused of breaking into the Animal Rescue League of Iowa and stealing his dog. Kern barricaded himself into a Cedar Rapids apartment and later exchanged gunfire with officers. He faces 50 years in prison without the possibility of parole after pleading guilty to three counts of attempted murder of a peace officer. FORT DODGE – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating a fish kill at the South Branch of Lizard Creek in Fort Dodge. On Monday, the DNR Field Office in Mason City received a call from CJ Bio America in Fort Dodge regarding a leak at their facility. DNR field staff upon arrival observed the byproduct in the South Branch of Lizard Creek several miles downstream from the plant. Dead fish were also observed in the creek for several miles. The leak has been stopped, however due to flow and access restrictions, placing berms in the creek is not an option. IOWA CITY – Another University of Iowa Hawkeyes player is joining the ranks of professional women’s basketball. KCCI-TV reports Lucy Olsen was the 23rd pick in the WBNA Draft Monday night, going to the Washington Mystics. Olsen transferred to Iowa ahead of the 2024-25 season after three years at Villanova.

DES MOINES – At a press conference held during the annual Terrace Hill Easter Egg Hunt, Governor Kim Reynolds suggested she will not endorse a candidate to be her successor. The Des Moines Register reports following her announcement to not run for a third full term, Reynolds indicated wanting the primary process to play out. The governor did endorse several house and senate candidates in the last few cycles during Republican primary elections to have a legislature that better aligned with her agenda. DES MOINES – A Des Moines man faces a life sentence for a murder conviction. KCCI-TV reports Cedrick Thomas, Jr. is guilty for his role in a 2022 robbery that resulted in the death of Charles Lovelady. Court records indicate Thomas and two other people set up a drug deal with Lovelady to ultimately ambush him. Thomas was guilty of first degree murder and the two accomplices both also face prison time. IOWA – Drought conditions have remained steady throughout the state through the first few weeks of spring. According to the most recent report, nearly 80% of the state is still at least abnormally dry and 29% is in moderate drought, primarily in northeast Iowa. Chances for severe weather return for many later this week, especially on Thursday in the longer range forecast, and the National Weather Service also is keeping on a eye on a wet end to April in its Climate Prediction Center outlook

DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds announced she will not seek a third full term in 2026. In a release sent Friday, Reynolds cited she aimed to spend more time with her grandchildren and felt her administration has accomplished many of their goals for the state. This means both Democrats and Republicans will hold primary elections for their candidates next June. CLARENCE – A Clarence man died in a three-vehicle crash in Cedar County Friday morning. The Iowa State Patrol reports a Mazda sedan driven by 36-year-old Zachary John Hutchinson attempted to pass two vehicles, when one of the two others he was trying to pass also moved in front of him. All three vehicles collided, with Hutchinson spinning into a nearby ditch. He died from his injuries and was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the collision. Another driver involved was transported to the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics. CASS COUNTY – A New York man was killed in a crash on Interstate 80 in Cass County early Friday morning. The Iowa State Patrol reports a tractor trailer operated by 35-year-old Jagdeep Singh rear-ended another tractor trailer in the westbound lanes just after 1 a.m., and subsequently became engulfed in flames. Singh was pronounced dead on scene.

AMES – An Iowa man is accused of secretly filming women while they were changing clothes in a Target store. WHO-13 reports 45-year-old Michael Leslie has been charged with sexual exploitation of a minor and three counts of invasion of privacy. The Ames Police Department began an investigation after a female said she noticed a cell phone underneath a fitting room door. The department claims Leslie had videos of multiple woman and a minor changing throughout the month of February. Leslie was also an assistant girls wrestling coach at Nevada High School.DES MOINES – Lawmakers continue to revise legislation that would impact property taxes across the state. The Des Moines Register reports the latest effort doubles the homestead exemption for all households, caps growth on cities and counties at 2% except when inflation is higher than 4%, and eliminating the state’s residential and commercial rollback policy. Governor Kim Reynolds and the Republican majorities have made property tax reduction a priority, but advocates for cities and counties have said their proposals will force deep cuts to essential services at the local level. HARDIN COUNTY – A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza was found in Hardin County on Thursday. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports the H5N1 strain was detected by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. This is the seventh instance of the disease being found in Iowa in 2025 and third in a backyard flock. State and federal officials have maintained that consumption of poultry and eggs is still safe as the outbreak spreads.