IOWA – A widespread winter storm is set to impact much of the state on Wednesday after what has been a below-average season for precipitation for many so far. The National Weather Service anticipates most areas of Iowa will receive at least three inches of snow, and many locations in the southern half will get closer to six or more by Thursday morning. This will come with extremely cold wind chills that start today, especially in northern Iowa. Another chance of snow is anticipated by Friday evening. DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds signed an executive order on Monday launching Iowa’s DOGE Task Force. Led by Sukup Manufacturing Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel Emily Schmitt, the Department of Government Efficiency group modeled after the Trump administration aims to further cut spending in Iowa. The Iowa DOGE Task Force will hold its first meeting within 60 days and submit its report and recommendations within 180 days of that initial meeting.CENTERVILLE – A Centerville man and Texas native was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for production of child pornography. According to court documents, 48-year-old Luis Nathan Hernandez Jr. exploited a minor younger than 12 and produced child sexual abuse material of her between 2022 and March 2024. Hernandez persuaded the victim to take nude photos and videos, which she sent to Hernandez. Hiss Centerville residence was searched in April 2024 and police found nearly 600 files on a computer and more than 500 files on two different cell phones. In 2004, Hernandez was convicted in Texas of indecency with a child, which required him to register as a sex offender. Twice in 2013, Hernandez plead guilty to failing to register as a sex offender in Wayne and Appanoose counties.

SOLON – A person has died from falling through the ice at an eastern Iowa lake. The Des Moines Register reports a body was recovered from Lake MacBride near Solon on Saturday morning. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office received a report of broken ice and a pair of gloves near the hole from a passerby on a walking trail near a boat ramp. The Solon Fire Department removed a body from the water, and that person was declared dead at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics. The Iowa DNR’s latest ice fishing report showed the ice on Lake McBride was highly variable. WINFIELD – A Winfield woman was killed in a single vehicle crash early Saturday morning. The Iowa State Patrol reports a Ram Pickup driven by 50-year-old Michelle Moore was traveling on Highway 78 in Henry County at 12:40 a.m. and left the roadway and caught fire in the ensuing crash. Moore was pronounced dead at the scene. IOWA CITY – A former University of Iowa basketball player who survived a crash that killed her father in 2022 announced she now has cancer. WHO-13 reports Ava Jones confirmed she received a diagnosis for Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Jones medically retired in 2024 after two years of recovery from a brain injury and other extensive injuries suffered when she was hit by an intoxicated driver in Louisville while walking. Jones remained on scholarship for two years after signing to compete for the Iowa Women’s Basketball team. NEW ORLEANS – A former Iowa Hawkeyes and OABCIG standout took center stage in Sunday’s Super Bowl 59. Cooper DeJean recorded an interception return for a touchdown on his 22nd birthday, a key play in the Philadelphia Eagles’ 40-22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. He is the second rookie in NFL history to collect a “pick-six” in a Super Bowl and the first to do so on his birthday since 1998. DeJean wore his OABCIG letterjacket as he entered the locker room Sunday, paying tribute to his alma mater.

EVERLY – Two people died in a fatal head-on crash in Clay County Friday. The Iowa State Patrol reports a Chevy Silverado operated by 70-year-old Randall Scott Dykstra of Everly was traveling northbound and ran head on with a Nissan Rogue driven by 45-year-old Bridget Lee Baird of Milford, who was traveling in the wrong lane. Both were declared dead on scene. Several Clay County agencies assisted. DES MOINES— Governor Kim Reynolds issued a proclamation setting Tuesday, March 11th, as the date for a special election in Iowa House District 100 following the death of Representative Martin Graber.  Graber served his country for more than three decades in the Iowa Army National Guard before he was elected to the Iowa House in 2020. Graber was serving his third term in the Iowa Legislature when he passed away on Friday, January 31st. House District 100 is located in Lee County.NEW ORLEANS – An Iowa native is set to play on football’s biggest stage this weekend. Former All-American with the Hawkeyes Cooper DeJean will compete for a Super Bowl championship this Sunday in New Orleans against the Kansas City Chiefs. The former multi-sport star at OABCIG High School was voted 4th in the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year poll and is set to be featured heavily in the Philadelphia Eagles secondary against Patrick Mahomes and his team’s pursuit of a title threepeat.

CEDAR RAPIDS – The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission approved an application for a new casino in Cedar Rapids. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports a groundbreaking is scheduled today after a meeting held in Altoona on Thursday gave the green light to the development. The group cited approximately $60 million in new annual gaming revenue for the state once the Cedar Crossing Casino and Entertainment Center is operational. It came after the Iowa House had voted for a moratorium on new casinos in Iowa, but the Senate did not move on the measure. There are concerns the new facility will cannibalize revenue from other eastern Iowa casinos. WINTERSET – Madison County leaders are working to replace the county treasurer following her January 31st arrest. WHO-13 reports the Board of Supervisors moved to formally remove Amanda DeVos from her post this Wednesday and appointed a new acting treasurer. DeVos was arrested and charged with felonious misconduct, tampering with records, theft, and fraudulent practice. She’s accused of misconduct in office and misappropriating thousands of dollars in county funds. WINNESHIEK COUNTY – State leadership is retaliating against a sheriff who posted a letter this week, claiming his office would not assist federal immigration enforcement unless they had warrants signed by a judge. KCCI-TV reports the Iowa Attorney General’s Office has opened an investigation against Winneshiek County Sheriff Dan Marx and the county’s board of supervisors. Governor Kim Reynolds issued a statement as well, condemning Marx for his comments.

WASHINGTON D.C. – Governor Kim Reynolds was in Washington D.C. on Wednesday, as she testified in the U.S. House about government efficiency. The Des Moines Register reports Reynolds testified about Iowa’s deep tax cuts and reduction of state agencies. While Republicans on the panel were supportive of the direction of the state, Reynolds drew questions and criticism from Democratic lawmakers who asked about a bill she signed limiting State Auditor Rob Sand’s powers and ability to audit state agencies. Reynolds later attended the signing of an executive order by President Donald Trump banning transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports.DES MOINES – Legislation that would allow schools to start before the Iowa State Fair has advanced through the Senate Education Committee. WHO-13 reports Senate File 205 would allow classes at both public and private schools to start as early as the second to last Monday in August. In 2015, Governor Terry Branstad signed a law that set August 23rd as the earliest day classes could begin, which was negotiated among multiple parties, including many state tourism groups. Adventureland, Okoboji Tourism, and Iowa Travel Industry Partners have listed as lobbyists against the measure, while the Iowa Association of School Boards and Association of Christian Schools are in support. DES MOINES – Another main stage performance has been announced for the 2025 Iowa State Fair. KCCI-TV reports T-Pain is coming to the grandstand on Saturday, August 16th. Tickets go on sale Friday morning for the artist known for his pop, hip-hop and R&B catalog. T-Pain joins Forrest Frank, Parker McCollum, Megan Moroney, Hairball, and Def Leppard as the main entertainers for the 2025 fair, which runs August 7th through the 17th.