DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A new survey suggests that farmland values in Iowa have inched upward in the past six months. A report from the Iowa Realtors Land Institute says values climbed nearly 1 percent from September to March, hitting $6,545 an acre. The Des Moines Register reports the increase was the first since September 2013. The increase, though small, is encouraging as the average value of Iowa’s farmland has dropped 25 percent since March 2013. WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – A fire in Waterloo early this morning is being called suspicious, according to KWWL-TV. Officers found leaves on fire and a broken beer bottle in the kitchen that had been lit and thrown through a window. No one was hurt. There are no suspects. So far, there are no suspects. WEVER, IA (IRN) – Authorities have released the cause of death for a man found in Indian Path Park in Wever last month, according to KHQA-TV. The body of 47-year-old James Nelson was discovered the morning of February 11. Yesterday, the Lee County Medical Examiner said that Nelson died from a gunshot wound to the head. His death is being considered a homicide, and the investigation continues. WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – One person is in critical condition after getting shot in the face Monday night. KCRG-TV reports the gunshot victim walked into a Waterloo hospital emergency room a little after 9 p.m. An ambulance transferred the victim to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for life-threatening injures. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – An Iowa House panel has approved a bill that would toughen Iowa’s regulations for texting and driving. The bill would allow a law enforcement officer to pull over a driver specifically for texting. It’s a secondary offense under current law, meaning an officer must have another reason to initiate a traffic stop. The proposed legislation has bipartisan support. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Local government control over the minimum wage in Iowa is in jeopardy. The State Senate has approved a measure setting Iowa’s minimum wage at $7.25 per hour–the current federal minimum wage. It also blocks local governments from increasing the wage above the state minimum. The bill now goes to Governor Branstad for his signature.

WASHINGTON COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A high-speed chase through Jefferson, Keokuk and Washington counties ended when the vehicle hit a deer. KCII-Radio reports an officer tried to initiate a traffic stop for equipment violations when 25-year-old Jaimye Southern of Fairfield fled. The 27-minute pursuit ended when Southern hit the deer and fled on foot. After she was apprehended in a field, marijuana was found in her vehicle. She’s in jail. WEST DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Over 700 students at Valley Southwoods High School in West Des Moines returned to school this morning after learning the principal and vice principal were abruptly placed on administrative leave. KCCI-TV reports it’s unclear why the principal, Mitch Kuhnert, and assistant principal, Bryan Stearns, were placed on administrative leave, but a letter to parents said it stems from a complaint. BOONE, IA (IRN) – A Boone man has been sentenced to 205 years in prison after he was convicted of sexually abusing five boys, three of whom were under the age of 12. KCCI-TV reports 38-year-old Ryan Barnhardt must serve a mandatory 122 1/2 years before he’s eligible for parole. CEDAR FALLS, IA (IRN) – Two NFL football players were arrested after a fight on College Hill in Cedar Falls Saturday night. KWWL-TV reports Deiondre Hall with the Chicago Bears and Makinton Dorleant with the Green Bay Packers are former UNI football players. Hall was cited for disorderly conduct, public intoxication, and interference. Dorleant was cited for interference. A bouncer was hit, and a Cedar Falls police officer was hit in the back of the head with a beer bottle. He’s OK. IOWA (IRN) – An Iowa Democrat hopes there will be one less Republican in Washington next year. Kim Weaver announced Sunday she will run for Iowa’s fourth congressional district seat against Republican Steve King again in 2018. She was defeated by King in the 2016 election. King has been receiving national attention recently for controversial tweets. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Choosing to celebrate each other’s differences, hundreds gathered outside the Mother Mosque of America in Cedar Rapids Sunday. KCRG-TV reports Islam, Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Atheist and Native American speakers shared some of their practices. One speaker said the rally was “about the values of America … they want to see everyone in America equal … with freedom of religion.”

BIRMINGHAM, IA (IRN) – A woman from the southeastern Iowa town of Birmingham was arrested Friday after her 2-month-old son died from starvation and dehydration, according to KGAN-TV. 23-year-old Angel Poole called 911 saying her son, Judah Wessels, was having difficulty breathing. An hour later he was dead. She’s in jail. MASON CITY, IA (IRN) – The name of the inmate who was found unresponsive in his detox cell in the Cerro Gordo County Jail has been released. 54-year-old Taras Roan of Mason City had been arrested Wednesday night for assault and public urination. An autopsy revealed the cause of death was a heart attack. There were no signs of trauma and foul play is not suspected. It’s the third inmate death in 16 months at the jail. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – The department store Nordstrom is cutting more than 100 jobs nationwide, including 18 from its Cedar Rapids distribution center. KCRG-TV reports the cuts in Cedar Rapids are customer-service specialists. The Cedar Rapids distribution center primarily warehouses and ships items sold online from Nordstrom.com. After the 18 cuts, Nordstrom employs 1,825 people in Cedar Rapids. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Two gymnasts who trained at Chow’s Gymnastics in West Des Moines have been inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame. The Des Moines Register reports that Des Moines native Shawn Johnson, and Virginia Beach, Virginia, native Gabby Douglas were named hall of famers Friday.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – In April 2016 three for-profit companies took over management of Iowa’s Medicaid program at the order of Gov. Terry Branstad. Branstad said the change would help save the state money. The Des Moines Register reports the three companies say they have had “catastrophic” losses on the project. They have asked the state to compensate them about $450 million in losses. The state already faces a budget shortfall. TAMA COUNTY, IA (IRN) – One person is dead after being hit by a car late Friday night. The Iowa State Patrol reports a man was driving eastbound on Highway 30 in Tama County when a man and woman were trying to cross the highway. The woman made it to the other side, but 41-year-old Randolph Papakee was hit by the car and killed. ARLINGTON, IA (IRN) – A Waverly man illegally transported thousands of gallons of fuel to different gas stations, according to KCRG-TV. 22-year-old Zachary Less was arrested Friday. He faces charges for several safety violations for not having the load properly secured and improper transport of a hazardous material. He was using a trailer and plastic tanks. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A circus in Des Moines is being met with protests, according to WHO-TV. The Za-Ga-Zig Shrine Circus is at the Iowa State Fairgrounds this weekend. Before each show, protesters say they will fight for the animals’ rights and want to inspire others to join their cause. Similar protests contributed to the end of the “greatest show on Earth.” Earlier this year, the Ringling Bros. Circus announced they will close after nearly 150 years in operation. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – “The Mayor” of Ames has been nominated to become the university’s next president after a petition surfaced to replace Steven Leath after he announced his resignation. KCCI-TV reports the petition says Chicago Bulls head coach and former Cyclone coach and player Fred Hoiberg is “the most ideal candidate…as he is charismatic, has the Ames community behind him, has a very good reputation with Alumni, and most importantly, he is beautiful.”

CLINTON, IA (IRN) – Clinton authorities have declared a five-year-old boxer-Labrador mix a dangerous dog for attacking a toddler just hours after it was adopted from an animal shelter. WQAD-TV reports the dog bit a 15-month-old boy in the face, leaving massive facial wounds. The boy will be OK, but will need reconstructive surgery for the damage to his face. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa lawmakers voted 26-21 Thursday in support of a bill that would allow county auditors to question signatures and require voters to present government-issued photo identification at the polls. Republicans say they are tackling voter fraud. Democrats say it’s an expensive solution to a problem that doesn’t exist. BOONE, IA (IRN) – Authorities are investigating two suspicious deaths after two people were found dead in a Boone home. KCCI-TV reports a woman and her son lived in the house. A neighbor says she sees the son occasionally at night, but hasn’t seen the woman in the year and a half she has lived next to them. Names and conditions of the bodies haven’t been released. MASON CITY, IA (IRN) – An inmate in the Cerro Gordo County Jail has died. KIMT-TV reports the man was found unresponsive in his detox cell. Jail staff performed life saving measures and the man was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy has been scheduled. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A bill that will make it easier for police to ticket you for distracted driving has cleared a major hurdle at the statehouse. WHO-TV reports the State Senate passed a bill banning texting, web browsing, playing games and checking social media while driving. The bill stops short of a full “hands free” law that would ban the use of any electronic device that is hand held while driving. The bill now heads to the Iowa House. WASHINGTON, IA (IRN) – Opposition to House Speaker Paul Ryan’s health care bill is costing an Iowa congressman some valuable campaign support. The Wall Street Journal reports a political action committee backed by Ryan is withdrawing staff support from Rep. David Young in response to Young’s opposition to the bill. Young says that House leaders are rushing and should be more deliberate to get the Obamacare replacement right.