CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – A student in Cedar Rapids was robbed of her cellphone by a young male with a handgun. The robbery was reported a little after 3:30 p.m. Monday in a parking lot at Kennedy High School. Police say the 18-year-old student was nearing her vehicle when confronted by the robber. He took only her cellphone, and she was not injured. No arrests have been reported.

AMES, IA (IRN) – The man who fired into a McDonald’s in Ames Sunday was targeting his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend. KCCI-TV reports authorities in Missouri arrested 20-year-old Demarcus Stokes Monday 5 1/2 hours away from Ames. Stokes targeted his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend inside — shooting from just 10-15 yards away. They saw him, and avoided getting hurt.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Metro High School students and staff in Cedar Rapids are mourning the loss of a student who was killed during a shooting Friday night. KGAN-TV reports grief counselors were on hand Monday as students and staff returned for the first time since junior Andrew Gaston was killed. Teachers say he was “a really good kid.”

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Angered by a flag observing Transgender Day that flew for less than five minutes over the Iowa Capitol, Republican lawmakers are moving forward with a bill that would limit the types of flags state and local governments can display. The bill would allow only the flag of the United States, state of Iowa, a prisoner of war/missing in action flag and a flag of the city, county or school district to be flown at government buildings.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa would join numerous other states in prohibiting drivers from using hand-held cell phones or other electronic devices under a bill that has advanced to a full Senate committee. The bill prohibits the use of any electronic communication devices while driving unless in hands-free mode.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Charges have been filed against the driver of a dump truck after a pedestrian was injured in downtown Des Moines last week. 50-year-old Michael Monkmeier, of Mitchellville, was seriously injured and was transported to a local hospital for treatment of multiple injuries. The dump truck, driven by 71-year-old Jerry Bemer, of Cedar Rapids struck Monkmeier in the crosswalk. Bemer is charged with failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – State wildlife officials are urging Iowans to be vigilant in safeguarding pets after a Des Moines couple reported their German shepherd mix was attacked by a coyote. KCCI-TV reports the attack happened Thursday night less than a mile from Drake University after they let their dog, Sildi, out in the backyard around dusk. Within minutes, they heard what sounded like a dog fight, rushed outside and found Sildi and the coyote fighting. The coyote ran away when the couple came outside. Sildi was treated for bite wounds to his face and head.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – The Cedar Rapids Police Department responded to a shots fired call late Saturday night. KGAN-TV reports officers located a vehicle that had been hit by gunfire.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – With seven days until the Iowa caucuses, a new CBS News poll puts Sen. Bernie Sanders in the lead for Iowa Democratic presidential candidates at 26%. Former Vice President Joe Biden is in a close second with 25 percent. In third, Mayor Pete Buttigieg is polling 22%, Sen. Elizabeth Warren has 15% and Sen. Amy Klobuchar has 7%.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Cities across Iowa now know if they’re hosting a RAGBRAI stop for this year’s ride. Officials made the announcement live on their Facebook Page and website Saturday night. Overnight stops include: Le Mars, Storm Lake, Fort Dodge, Iowa Falls, Waterloo, Anamosa, Maquoketa, and Clinton.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – One person is dead and another injured after a shooting in Cedar Rapids Friday night, according WHO-TV. Officers discovered two persons with gunshot wounds. One of the victims, 18-year-old Andrew Dontae Gaston, died Saturday morning after being taken to a local hospital. The other victim, a 16-year old male, sustained a non-life threatening gunshot wound.

ROCK ISLAND, IL (IRN) – A federal jury deliberated for less than thirty minutes before returning a guilty verdict Wednesday afternoon against Timothy Brandon Fredrickson, 30, of Davenport, for sexual exploitation of a child. Fredrickson had been communicating with a sixteen year-old girl over the internet. Fredrickson faces a minimum of 15 years and up to 30 years in prison.

JASPER COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A standoff in Colfax ended shortly before 3 p.m. Saturday, according to KCCI-TV. Paul Deaton, 55, had barricaded himself in his own home. There were family members in the home when the standoff started, but they were able to leave quickly. Authorities said they used tear gas in an attempt to remove Deaton from the barricaded home. The subject left the home without gunfire being involved.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Des Moines Register’s editorial board has announced its endorsement Saturday for the Democratic presidential nominee. The editorial board has chosen to endorse Sen. Elizabeth Warren after meetings with nine of the Democratic presidential candidates. Warren is currently polling at 17% with Iowans. This puts her in second place behind Sen. Bernie Sanders at 20%.

JASPER COUNTY, IA (IRN) – The Iowa State Patrol is assisting the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office with a standoff situation Saturday afternoon. The ISP has sent a crisis negotiator to assist in a lone barricaded subject in Colfax. There is no hostage.

MARSHALLTOWN, IA (IRN) – A former Marshalltown college athlete has been charged with involvement in an Indiana murder. KCCI-TV reports Hannah Knapke, 18, was a volleyball player at Marshalltown Community College. Her scholarship has been revoked and she is no longer enrolled. She was charged in connection with the death of Shea Briar in Indiana earlier this month. Knapke allegedly helped a friend in the murder of Briar because of a child custody dispute.

MAUOKETA, IOWA (IRN) – A Maquoketa family says police used too much force when they arrested and tased 22-year-old Drew Edwards. WQAD-TV reports the family’s attorney released police body camera footage from that night. Edwards was tased six times in five minutes as he resisted arrest, and died. The toxicology report found that Edwards was under the influence of meth, ecstasy and marijuana at the time of his death.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – A man let out of prison nearly three years ago in Iowa is back in custody, accused of a robbery and murder in Arkansas. KCRG-TV reports Jacovan Bush is in the Linn County Jail on capital murder and aggravated robbery charges. US Marshals arrested the 31-year-old after a traffic stop yesterday near Lindale Mall. Bush is accused of a robbery and murder in Little Rock Arkansas in 2018.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health says it is now seeing widespread flu activity across the state.The predominant strain being reported in Iowa right now is influenza B, and 17 people have died from the virus this year. Health officials say the best way to protect yourself is to get a flu shot, and it is never too late to get one.