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.

WORTH COUNTY – A teenager was killed in a single vehicle crash in Worth County on Saturday morning. The Iowa State Patrol reports a Pontiac Grand Prix was eastbound on a rural road before the driver lost control and entered a ditch, striking a power pole. The lone passenger in the car was 16-year-old Ayden Steele of St. Ansgar, and was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. The driver has been identified as 20-year-old Blair Hansen and was transported by helicopter to the same hospital. IOWA – A rapidly developing weather system is expected to bring widespread rainfall and a few thunderstorms Iowa on Tuesday, followed by possible blizzard conditions on Wednesday. According to the National Weather Service, heavy rain is possible over much of the state, and could be immediately followed by a combination of snowfall and northwesterly winds up to 50 MPH. The biggest impacts appear to be likely in areas in the northwest half of the state. AMES – A former Iowa State Cyclones Men’s Basketball standout was honored for Olympic Gold at Hilton Coliseum on Saturday night. KCCI-TV reports Tyrese Haliburton was in Ames to have a banner with his name join other Cyclones who have won gold medals, including Dan Gable and Cael Sanderson. The Indiana Pacers All-Star point guard was joined by former teammate and fellow NBA starter Georges Niang in attendance as No. 9 Iowa State defeated No. 22 Arizona.

HAMILTON COUNTY – A teenager was killed when the tractor he was operating was hit from behind on Friday morning. The Iowa State Patrol reports a John Deere driven by Logan Baldwin of Webster City was traveling southbound on a rural road, when it was rear ended by a Toyota operated by 69-year-old Brian Vandeer, also of Webster City. Baldwin was thrown from the tractor and pronounced dead on scene. DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds signed into law a bill on Friday that removes gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act. The Des Moines Register reports transgender and nonbinary Iowans will no longer have protection in housing, employment, and education, among other areas. Reynolds signed the bill that cleared all legislative committees and subcommittees, as well as the main floor in under a week. More than 2,000 Iowans came to protest the legislation. The bill ends nearly 20 years of protection from discrimination based on gender identity. IOWA – While a late-season snow storm provided some moisture, conditions are drying out again across the state. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor report shows moderate drought has spread to just over 70 percent of Iowa’s population. The second Spring Flood Outlook issued by the National Weather Service shows a below average risk for river flooding in Iowa, and their Climate Prediction Center Outlook shows a slightly above average chance for a wetter than normal spring in the eastern half of the state.