DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – State Auditor Rob Sand announced today that he will file a bill ahead of the legislative session that would make a state or local official stealing $1,000 or more of taxpayer money a “must go to prison crime.” Iowa law does not specify an amount of money stolen by someone convicted of felony theft that would require prison or jail time in a sentence.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Reporter Aaron Calvin, who received backlash from a report Tuesday that unearthed tweets from Carson King, is no longer with the Des Moines Register. King is the Iowa State fan who has raised over $1 million for the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital after appearing on ESPN’s “College GameDay” program holding a sign asking for beer money. After Calvin called attention to an offensive social media post King made when he was 16 years old and Anheuser-Busch announced the company would sever ties with the viral star, readers pointed out several posts Calvin made as an adult which were offensive.

MADRID, IA (IRN) – A Madrid man found with nearly 300 cats in his home in June has decided against a plea deal. KCCI-TV reports the man is charged with animal neglect, and he will go to trial in November. Most of the cats have died.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A Des Moines man was arrested early Thursday morning after he led State Troopers on a chase with speeds exceeding 115 mph from Gilbert to Des Moines with his eight year old daughter in the vehicle. He was drunk, and wanted on a parole violation warrant.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – The Iowa City School District confirmed Thursday that one of their vans was involved in a hit-and-run of a 12-year-old boy on Tuesday. KCRG-TV reports the district is cooperating with police. The boy is doing OK, and is back in school.

CRAWFORDSVILLE, IA (IRN) – A biodiesel plant in Crawfordsville is the next in the state to close following ethanol waivers signed by President Trump. The facility had 16 employees. Roy Strom with W2 fuels tells KCII News that recent waivers from the Renewable Fuel Standard for oil refineries “destroyed the price value” for ethanol.

MARSHALL COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A Marshalltown man is dead and three others were injured in a two-vehicle accident Wednesday south of Marshalltown. A Ford Focus was stopped on the highway attempting to turn left into a driveway, when a Ford Expedition ran into the back of it.

TOLEDO, IA (IRN) – A federal theft charge has been leveled against a former Tama County day care director accused of using thousands of its dollars to buy things for herself. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that 48-year-old Kristine Daniel was charged Monday for allegedly stealing more than $5,000 from the daycare.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Linn County Sheriff Brian Gardner announced plans to discipline eight of his employees after an investigation into harassment allegations. KGAN-TV reports in June a deputy filed a complaint that claimed co-workers harassed him for taking time off after the birth of his child.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a proclamation Wednesday declaring Saturday as Carson King Day. King entered the national spotlight after raising more than $1 million for the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital with a sign he made for ESPN’s “College GameDay.” On Tuesday, King made a public apology for racially insensitive tweets he sent as a teenager. The Des Moines Register is receiving extensive criticism for exposing the tweets King made when he was 16 years old. Because of threats, a police presence has been established at the Register’s offices.

IDA GROVE, IA (IRN) – Hail and heavy rain pounded parts of northwest Iowa overnight. Hailstones up to 1.75 inches were reported near Holstein, and more than an inch of rain was reported in several areas. The hail battered homes, business, vehicles and crops in Ida County and others. The National Weather Service says a tornado was reported around 5:30 p.m. near Cushing, and another around 5:40 p.m. near Ida Grove. It’s uncertain whether the sightings were of the same twister. No injuries have been reported.

IOWA COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A 2019 Peterbilt semi-truck crashed into a bridge on I-80 killing the 79-year-old passenger and leaving the 37-year-old driver injured. The accident occurred at 2 a.m. yesterday in Iowa County. The semi was pulling double trailers, and left the paved area of the roadway going into the median and traveling through the guardrail. The semi then drove between the east and westbound overpass bridges, and hit the underpass. Both driver and passenger are from Utah.

DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – A barge on the Mississippi River ran into a bike trail railing in Davenport. WQAD-TV reports people on the barge said they drifted too far right as they were headed downstream. No injuries were reported.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Agriculture has proposed changes to the state’s animal welfare laws that improve the living conditions for animals at breeders. The state of Iowa has ranked among the worst when it comes to welfare laws. The changes will require liquid water, litter pans be cleaned daily, and sufficient heating and cooling.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Gov. Kim Reynolds told reporters Tuesday that she believes officials will be able to ensure student safety sufficiently to permit the University of Iowa and Iowa State University to continue to play an annual football game. UI President Bruce Harreld had broached the idea of discontinuing the series, played each year since 1977, after UI band members reported being physically harmed during skirmishes with fans during this September’s game in Ames. ISU officials said Tuesday that they were committed to continuing to play.

OAKLAND, IA (IRN) – A Monday night crash near the Pottawattamie County town of Oakland left one person dead, according to KETV. The victim was male but did not release his name or age. The crash involved a tanker truck and another vehicle.

NEWTON, IA (IRN) – One worker was killed and another critically injured Saturday in an accident at the Arcosa Wind Towers manufacturing plant in Newton. The names of the employees have not been released, and an investigation is underway.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The family of a man killed in a Des Moines police chase will receive a $90,000 settlement after suing the city. KCCI-TV reports the Des Moines City Council approved the settlement Monday. Jason Hunt, 41, was in the wrong place at the wrong time when a man police were chasing hit and killed him in 2016.

DUBUQUE COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A mobile home in Dubuque County was destroyed by a fire last night, according to KCRG-TV. When crews arrived, they found flames coming from the roof. No one was injured.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – University of Iowa President Bruce Harreld said he isn’t sure the annual Cy-Hawk football game should continue, according to The Daily Iowan. The threat comes after members of the Hawkeye Marching Band accused Cyclone fans of physically and verbally assaulting them at this year’s game in Ames.