ELSBERRY, MISSOURI – A body found in the Mississippi River more than 40 years ago has been identified as a missing girl from Iowa. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office in Missouri announced that DNA evidence helped identify 15-year-old Helen Renee Groomes, who disappeared in 1977 from Ottumwa, according to the Des Moines Register. Groomes was found in March of 1978, but the examiner at the time believed the body to belong to a middle-aged person. A headstone at the grave was labeled “Lincoln County Jane Doe.” Groomes was believed to have drowned in the Des Moines River on her 15th birthday. IOWA – Nearly half the state has been designated as natural disaster areas due to a nearly four-year drought. The U.S. Department of Agriculture declared 24 counties as primary areas and 19 others as contiguous disaster counties, according to KCCI-TV. The assistance programs include insurance, loans, and technical aid to restore some of the damage caused by precipitation deficits. The vast majority of Iowa’s counties east of Interstate 35 were selected for the assistance programs. IOWA – While spring break has come and gone — many students didn’t immediately return to class due to high illness activity. WHO-13 reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention rank influenza activity as high in the state. The Iowa Department of Health had a moderate ranking for the week of March 17th through the 23rd. Some doctors have noticed an extension of respiratory illnesses extending past their typical seasons ever since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. IOWA CITY – She’s the best — again. Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark was named Naismith national player of the year Wednesday. Clark is the reigning Naismith Trophy winner and the first player to win this award in consecutive seasons since UConn’s Breanna Stewart in 2016. Clark led the Hawkeyes to their second straight Final Four appearance while leading the nation in assists and in scoring. She became the first player to finish No. 1 in both categories in back-to-back seasons. The Hawkeyes take on the University of Connecticut Huskies Friday for the chance to compete in back-to-back national title games.

DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law Tuesday that Democrats say will only worsen harassment and discrimination against others. Senate File 2095 was passed and will go into effect July 1st. Deemed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, the law allows anyone who believes their right to exercise religion was burdened can now sue others in court. Government cannot cause substantial burden to someone exercising religion unless there is compelling interest to do so. Opponents believe these will be used in particular against LGBTQ individuals and groups and other religious and non-religious minorities. Reynolds signed the bill with The Family Leader group. DES MOINES – The new official director of the Iowa Department of Education received just enough votes for confirmation this week. KCRG-TV reports 34 of 50 senators — all Republicans, confirmed McKenzie Snow, a former Trump administration education official. Democrats all voted in opposition, citing Snow’s lack of experience in the school system and that she could not work as a teacher or administrator in Iowa with her credentials. Republicans praised Snow’s background and work in other states. OSKALOOSA – An Oskaloosa non-profit organization was chosen to have Narcan available to combat overdoses. KCCI TV reports Give It Up in Mahaska County, which gives away clothes, diapers, and other needs will now have the nasal spray on hand. Operators of the organization are hopeful to be a safe place for those struggling with addiction to potentially save their own lives if nearing an overdose.

ALBANY – The top-seeded University of Iowa women’s basketball team downed third-seeded LSU, 94-87, on Monday night in a National Championship rematch at MVP Arena. The Hawkeyes advance to the second straight Final Four and third in program history. National Player of the Year Caitlin Clark willed Iowa to the victory, finishing with 41 points, 12 assists and seven rebounds. The West Des Moines native added three more records to her ledger – career NCAA Division I 3-point field goals made, career NCAA Tournament 3-point field goals made and career tournament assists. Iowa had two additional Hawkeyes finish in double digits with Kate Martin scoring 21 points and Sydney Affolter adding 16. The Hawkeyes will take on the legendary University of Connecticut program, led by coach Geno Auriemma and his 11 national championship wins, and another superstar in Paige Bueckers on Friday. AMES – Following a sports betting scandal that saw several athletes criminally charged at Iowa and Iowa State University, and the subsequent controversy that saw many of those counts dropped, lawmakers are dropping an effort to tighten gambling laws in the state. The Des Moines Register reports Iowa’s Legislature Administrative Rules Committee objected to a proposal in mid-March, focusing on a rule that showed online betting companies would need to maintain a list of athletes and coaches who would not be permitted to gamble on their own teams. The rules came from the Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission. The changes have been delayed to the end of the 2025 legislative session, giving lawmakers a chance to further change or eliminate the effort. EMMET COUNTY – There’s just one long remaining county not impacted by a beetle that has ravished a species of trees across the state. The Iowa Capital Dispatch reports that the Iowa Department of Agriculture has confirmed in 98 of 99 Iowa counties the appearance of the invasive emerald ash borer, dating back to the first known confirmation in Allamakee County in 2010. The most recent report came in Palo Alto County — neighboring the last remaining without a confirmed appearance. State conservation officials have estimated there were about 55 million ash trees in Iowa before the beetle’s arrival.

BANCROFT – A librarian charged with stealing revenue from a local booster club will not receive unemployment, according to a court ruling made recently. In December, 41-year-old Erin Fraker was a city employee in Bancroft as the director of the facility before she was accused of second-degree theft, according to thee Iowa Capital Dispatch. Police claim Fraker stole more than $5,000 from the North Union Schools Booster Club, as she was tasked with managing those funds from concessions. Fraker applied for unemployment after the local library board accepted her resignation, even as she tried to take that letter back. Administrative Law Judge Carly Smith denied those benefits in a late March ruling, and the criminal case begins next week. IOWA – State parks will no longer have park rangers, according to a new plan by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The Gazette reports the current group overseeing Iowa’s 69 state parks will instead become conservation officers assigned to groups of counties. The Gazette says the DNR is not releasing the draft plan, which would not be subject to open records laws until completed. Those concerned about the changes are worried about reduced enforcement of laws at state parks, especially during the peak summer months. ALBANY, NY – It’s a much-anticipated rematch from the 2023 Women’s National Championship bout this evening with a Final Four bid on the line. Top-seeded Iowa takes on LSU in the Elite Eight of the NCAA women’s bracket at 6:15 this evening. The Tigers defeated the Hawkeyes last April in the 2023 title game in Dallas. National Player of the Year Caitlin Clark and company will have to slow down the dynamic duo of Angel Reese and Aneesah Morrow, both of whom have 2000 career points and 1000 career rebounds.

IOWA – Additional rounds of rain that came from a major Midwest winter storm cut back the severity of drought conditions for many across the state. This week’s U.S. Drought Monitor Report showed that severe drought in the state is now impacting 35% of the state, down from 55% in last week’s update. Still, 90% of Iowans are experience abnormally dry conditions or worse. ALBANY – Top-seeded Iowa will face 5-Seed Colorado in the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Women’s Tournament today. Tip-off is set for 2:30 p.m. central inside MVP Arena in Albany, New York. Iowa leads the all-time series, 4-3. and in the last meeting, wrangled the Buffalos in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, 87-77. INDIANOLA – The Indianola fire department responded to a fire that caused significant damage to the National Balloon Museum Friday morning. Tenants arrived to the building and smelt smoke coming from the interior of the building. Crews responded to the scene and were able to contain damage to the building’s interior. No injuries have been reported as a result of the fire, and the cause has not been determined. As a result of the fire, the National Balloon Museum’s Grand Reopening event has been postponed indefinitely. PELLA – An Emmy-nominated journalist who is among the most respected storytellers in his field announced a significant shift in his career that will take him to his alma mater. Harry Smith shared his final report for NBC Nightly News Thursday, and let the audience know his plans to return to Central College. The 1973 graduate heads to Pella this fall as an executive in residence, according to a post by the college. Smith has served for years on the Central College Board of Trustees and frequently returns to campus.