IOWA – A prolonged streak of below zero wind chills is expected to last into Friday. The wind chill values will reach extreme cold at times, with the most dangerous conditions settling in Monday night and Tuesday morning and again Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Air cold feel as cold as 40 below zero in northern Iowa, according to the National Weather Service — frostbite can occur in as little as five minutes without proper precautions. IOWA – The Iowa Supreme Court has ruled that residents applying to fill a vacant elected seat do not have an expectation of privacy. The Des Moines Register reports Friday’s action followed Scott County’s move to fill a mid-term opening on its board in 2022. A total of 27 people applied for the role, 13 of whom requested to stay anonymous. One of those individuals, Rita Rawson, was chosen through the process. A former supervisor requested all of the applicants names be released. The decision was split 4-3, with dissenting opinion citing recent precedent to keep those names protected. JOHNSTON – A teenager charged with the death of a youth residential facility employee has reached a deal with the prosecution. KCCI-TV reports Jovahn Mathis was 15 at the time he was accused of shoving Kathleen Galloway-Menke in an apparent attempt to leave Ellipsis in May of 2024, the latter of whom died from her injuries. Mathis was charged with murder, and as part of a deal to move the case to adult court, he will plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter and other charges. He won’t be formally sentenced until he turns 18.

WAUKEE – A Waukee man was sentenced to 32 years in federal prison for fraud, money laundering, and fentanyl distribution. According to court documents, 36-year-old Stephan Rashad Haley, also known as “Ace” and “Bosh,” acquired large quantities of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl from multiple drug sources and distributed 12 kilograms of fentanyl-laced pills. Haley also recruited at least three other individuals to open fraudulent bank accounts and deposit stolen checks. Ten of Haley’s co-defendants in the fraud and money laundering case remain set for trial, currently scheduled to begin on June 23rd. Eight co‑defendants have pleaded guilty.IOWA – The statewide storm system that impacted Iowa on Wednesday resulted in a total of 15 snowplow hits, setting a one-day record for equipment strikes during a winter season, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation. The previous single-day record of snowplow hits was nine in 2024. Prior to this week’s storms, the 2025 winter season total count for snowplow hits was also nine. Since the official Iowa DOT winter season started on October 15, a total of 25 DOT snowplows have been hit by vehicles.

DES MOINES – House Republicans are moving forward with a 2.25% state aid increase for schools and other funding measures with a bill that passed on Thursday. The Des Moines Register reports five Republicans joined all Democrats in opposing the measure, asking for a much higher increase. The House bill included operational sharing increases, as well as money for transportation and per pupil equity among districts. School leaders and Democrats argue the increase still falls behind inflationary costs. The Iowa Senate passed a two percent increase without the additional provisions offered by the House version. IOWA – More snow is on the way for much of Iowa with two periods of concern. The first will arrive today with amounts from a dusting southwest to as high as an inch or two northeast. The snow will be accompanied by shallow blowing and drifting snow driven by south winds gusting 30-40 mph and produce slick travel conditions. A narrow band of snow may also occur Saturday from central into northeast Iowa where there is some potential for amounts of four inches or more. Several days of arctic cold will follow the two systems, according to the National Weather Service. BUENA VISTA COUNTY – The highly pathogenic avian influenza was detected again in Buena Vista County, according to Iowa Capital Dispatch. Governor Kim Reynolds issued a new proclamation for the disease on Thursday for a flock of commercial turkeys. This is the second major outbreak in the county as the disease has impacted multiple operations in Iowa over the past three years. IOWA -An Iowan has traveled to all 99 counties in search of the best tenderloin served at restaurants. WHO-13 reports JayJay Godvin completed his circuit around the state and told WHO-13 his favorite was located at The Landmark Bistro in Grundy Center. His next project will focus on special menu items at top restaurants in all 99 counties.

IOWA – Following a relatively quiet winter in relation to precipitation, a large portion of the state was impacted by a snowstorm on Wednesday. Many Iowa communities received 8-12″ of fluffy snow that caused travel issues. The Iowa State Patrol and Iowa DOT reported at least three plows were involved in crashes as they were attempting to clear precipitation from highways. Bitter wind chills near 30 below zero followed the snow, with more chances for winter precipitation and subzero temperatures in the forecast over the next several days, according to the National Weather Service. AMES – An Iowa State University student led police to a series of eventual arrests that slowed a global group of sexual predators. A press release from the university shared details about a female student in 2018 who reported she was being blackmailed by a man she met online. The Iowa State University Police Department looked into the claim, which led them into a multiple year investigation that identified more than 30 victims and led to the arrests of four men tied to an international neo-Nazi group a few weeks ago. ISU Officer Kami Feld worked with federal, state, and international police agencies, including those in France and New Zealand. WATERLOO – A staple on television screens in eastern Iowa for five decades is retiring this year. KWWL-TV reports anchor Ron Steele is wrapping up his 50-year career as an anchor and reporter for the station based in Waterloo. A member of the Iowa Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame and the Jack Shelley Award from the Iowa Broadcast News Association, Steele has interviewed U.S. Presidents dating back to George H.W. Bush, and reported from Saudi Arabia during the Persian Gulf War. Ron is a lifelong Iowan, born in Washington, raised in Wapello, and a University of Iowa graduate.

IOWA – The first widespread, significant snowfall of the season is here in February for much of the state. According to the National Weather Service, the highest snow accumulations will be over southern into portions of central Iowa with 5 to 8 inches expected. Snow covered and slick roads should be expected and create for hazardous travel. Snow rates will generally be a quarter to half an inch per hour, though there will be a few periods where rates will be half an inch to three-quarters of an inch per hour. While visibility will be reduced in falling snow, blowing snow will not be a significant issue with wind speeds averaging 10 to 15 mph. The snow will taper off from west to east from the afternoon into this evening. DES MOINES – Hands-free driving legislation is moving through the Iowa Senate. KCCI-TV reports the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced Senate File 22, which would ban the use of cell phones while driving unless its hands-free or voice activated. Several versions of legislative have been introduced over the past seven years, but some in the Senate are confident this version will pass. The new legislation would allow police to pull over drivers for violating the law and increases the fine associated with the violation, if signed by Governor Kim Reynolds, who supports the bill. CEDAR RAPIDS – The man who fell through the ice at Lake McBride this past weekend has been identified. KCRG-TV reports Jack Peacock of Cedar Rapids died after a passerby called police and believed someone had fallen through the ice and into the water. Police say they don’t know how long Peacock was under water. The most recent report from the Iowa DNR showed the lake ice at McBride was rated as unstable as of last week.