DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Anti-war protesters encased their arms in concrete and blocked the road in front of the Iowa Air National Guard base in Des Moines this morning. WHO-TV reports three men and a woman joined themselves together and encased their arms in containers of quick-drying cement. The Des Moines Fire Department was called in to safely cut away the cement using specialized tools. The protesters were charged with disorderly conduct.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Police in Iowa City are investigating a death they have called suspicious after finding a cab driver dead inside their car. KGAN-TV reports another cab driver who worked for the same company found the driver slumped over while checking on the welfare of the driver.

DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – A Davenport elementary school teacher has been charged with possession and receipt of child pornography. The Quad-City Times reports 43-year-old Michael Ross faces up to 40 years in prison if he’s convicted. Ross told officers who searched his home last week that he had child pornography and that he had both received and distributed it.

IDA COUNTY, IA (IRN) – Iowa Department of Natural Resources officials shot and killed a female mountain lion at a farm near Galva in Ida County. A neighboring livestock producer discovered a dead calf that looked as if it has been attacked by a large cat last week. Dogs treed the cat, and after efforts to humanely capture it failed, it was shot. Since 1995, there have been 21 confirmed mountain lion sightings in Iowa. At least four have been shot and killed.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Republicans planning to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act faced another setback Tuesday. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell delayed a vote on the bill Tuesday because there were not enough votes to pass it. KCCI-TV reports Iowa medical leaders said they are thankful for a delay. They say there should be more open debate and more time to vote on the bill because an estimated 200,000 Iowans would lose their health care coverage under the current version.

NEWTON, IA (IRN) – An 88-year-old Newton woman known for her chicken-calling, spunkiness and style will be featured on TV tonight during NBC’s “Little Big Shots: Forever Young.” The Newton Daily News reports Bonnie Eilert, a Baxter native and a 1947 Newton High School grad flew out to Los Angeles this spring to film the show with host Steve Harvey. When asked if she wanted to be on the show, Eilert said. “Yes, yes, yes.”

OTTUMWA, IA (IRN) – An Ottumwa man is behind bars facing multiple charges of sexual abuse. KCCI-TV reports 35-year-old Armando Leyva was arrested after an investigation involving five women. The women say that Leyva sexually abused them. He’s in jail.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – There was an armed robbery at a Wendy’s in Cedar Rapids Monday, according to KWWL-TV. Police say an employee was taking out the trash when a man walked into the restaurant demanding cash and showing what looked to be a handgun. He got away with an undisclosed amount of money.

AMES, IA (IRN) – An Ames woman faces charges for unintentionally causing the death of her girlfriend in December, according to KCCI-TV. 22-year-old Sadie Dalgliesh has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of 25-year-old Tashara Burnside. The pair used the synthetic opioid U4, known on the street as “pinky.” It’s a synthetic and deadly version of heroin that commonly comes in a powder form. Police say Dalgliesh gave Burnside the U4.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – On Monday, the Supreme Court decided to hear travel ban arguments this fall, but until then, part of President Trump’s travel ban is in place. WHO-TV reports people in the Iowa Somali community are concerned. Abdi Abdi, who is a citizen and has lived in Des Moines for ten years, says because of the travel ban his family won’t be able to come from Somalia. Others are concerned because many refugees from the banned countries are fleeing violence. Supporters say the ban is necessary for national security.

BETTENDORF, IA (IRN) – After 21 years of planning, crews held a ground-breaking ceremony Monday to celebrate the long awaited I-74 Bridge project. The bridge has connected Iowa and Illinois since 1935 and has outlived its usefulness. The new bridge will be the biggest construction project in Iowa history, costing $400 million.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Cedar Rapids city leaders decided to follow state law when it came to setting off fireworks in the city through July 8th, according to KCRG-TV. Now they are regretting that decision. As of Sunday, police have received 136 complaints they have had to investigate, and about 25 “shots fired” calls which turned out to be fireworks. One former fireworks fan says that after night after night of “boom, boom, boom” outside his apartment window, he’s had enough.

BELMOND, IA (IRN) – One person was killed when a car and a motorcycle collided near Klemme in Hancock County yesterday. The Iowa State Patrol reports 33-year-old Shannon Gamble of Garner was southbound on Highway 69 while 31-year-old Nathan Wadsley of Belmond was northbound on a motorcycle. Gamble attempted to pass another southbound vehicle and collided head-on with Wadsley. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Gamble was transported to an area hospital by helicopter.

MARION, IA (IRN) – A mobile home was destroyed by fire yesterday in Marion. KGAN-TV reports all occupants escaped safely, and an investigation into the cause of the fire is underway.

TAMA, IA (IRN) – A 20-year-old man drowned in the Iowa River Sunday, according to KCRG-TV.
First responders recovered the body of Rodney Keraghan, and believe the drowning was accidental.

BURLINGTON, IA (IRN) – Police in Burlington are investigating a pair of weekend shootings that sent two men to the hospital. WQAD-TV reports the first shooting was in a parking lot, where a man was shot multiple times. Police say the shooter and the victim knew each other. The second shooting happened early Sunday morning at a bar called The Crazy Coyote. Officers say the man was involved in a physical fight with the gunman before he was shot.

ATLANTA, GA (IRN) – An ISU professor from India and his white adopted son had their flight plans delayed after a Delta flight attendant reported him for suspicious activity. WHO-TV reports Professor Lakshman Rajagopal had just arrived in Atlanta when he was stopped by Delta employees concerned about child trafficking and held for questioning. He says it was humiliating, and wouldn’t have happened if he were white. Delta has offered him a $500 voucher in apology.

URBANDALE, IA (IRN) – Urbandale native Sarah Cooper became a national inspiration when she became a favorite, male or female, to win bicycle world’s most grueling race, the Race Across America. KCCI-TV reports the 45-year-old stay-at-home mother of four finished the 3,070-mile journey from sea to shining sea in just 11 days, 18 hours and 56 minutes.

FORT DODGE, IA (IRN) – An SUV and a train collided near Fort Dodge Saturday. A mother and her three children were injured in the crash. One of the children was flown to a nearby hospital in serious condition and the others were taken by ambulance. Only signs warn drivers of the train crossing because it’s a gravel road. There are no crossing bars or lights.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Police are investigating an armed robbery in Iowa City, according to KWWL-TV. A man says he was meeting up with a woman he had met online. When he arrived at the arranged meeting place, two men approached him. One had a knife and the other was carrying a board. The victim says he was drug inside a home where he was hit in the head with the board three times before being robbed of his cash and cell phone. He has minor injuries and is expected to be okay.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Gov. Kim Reynolds has announced a trade and investment mission to Israel this summer. Iowa exports to Israel exceeded $30 million in 2016, a 14.5 percent increase over 2015. Key sectors that provide opportunities for Iowa companies in Israel include information and communication technology, agriculture technology, biotechnology and animal feeds.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – An Iowa City native qualified for “The Last Great Race,” according to KCRG-TV. It’s the Iditarod, a one thousand mile sled dog race across Alaska. Emily Maxwell qualified for the 2018 Iditarod after multiple races earlier this year. Emily had nothing to do with mushing until she visited Alaska and then moved there two years ago. She says she instantly fell in love with the lifestyle. The 2018 Iditarod sled dog race will start on March 3rd.