WASHINGTON, D.C. (IRN) – U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne will serve on the House Agriculture Committee, making her the lone Iowa representative to do so this year. Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced the committee appointments in a news release Wednesday night. Axne’s appointment comes after House Republicans removed Rep. Steve King from his House committees, including agriculture, on Monday over comments King made about white nationalism and white supremacy.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – A girl was shot in Cedar Rapids Wednesday evening. KGAN-TV reports officers responded to a report of shots fired and found a juvenile female with a single gunshot wound to the abdomen in an alley. She was taken to the hospital and the extent of her injuries is unknown.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A 40-year-old man constructed a potentially deadly device while dining at a downtown Des Moines sushi restaurant because he didn’t think bomb threats were being taken seriously. KCCI-TV reports Ivory Washington made a legitimate improvised explosive device that resembled a homemade hand grenade Tuesday evening at Akebono in Des Moines. When no one called police, he did. He’s in jail.

ALTOONA, IA (IRN) – Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino is betting on sports betting. It’s not legal yet, but Prairie Meadows announced a deal with U.K.-based William Hill to be its sports book operator. Construction is underway on a facility to accommodate it. Now it’s up to the Iowa Legislature.

LUBBOCK, TX (IRN) – After two disappointing losses, the Cyclones men’s basketball team rebounded with an impressive road win at #8 Texas Tech, 68-64. Marial Shayok led Iowa State with 20 points. Iowa State beat then #5 Kansas earlier this season.

COLFAX, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Lottery is waiting for someone to claim their $1 million prize. A winning $1 million Mega Millions ticket was purchased Tuesday at the Kum & Go convenience store in Colfax.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House nearly unanimously passed a resolution condemning Iowa Rep. Steve King on Tuesday over comments he made approving of white supremacy. The vote was 424-1. Many are calling for King to resign, and Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds says it will be difficult for King to serve his district as he was stripped of all committee assignments. The White House condemned King’s comments this morning.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – No paychecks and sinking morale are causing a grim scene for 28 air traffic controllers at the Des Moines International Airport, according to KCCI-TV. They are working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week without pay as the government shutdown continues.

SIOUX CITY, IA (IRN) – Senator Kirsten Gillibrand from New York has announced she is running for President, and she will be visiting Iowa this weekend. Among her stops will be Sioux City and Des Moines. Gillibrand is the sixth candidate in a growing list of Democrats who have announced they are running for the presidency in 2020.

NORTH LIBERTY, IA (IRN) – A record number of Iowans are saying “yes” to organ, tissue and eye donations. This has resulted in hundreds of lives being saved in 2018, says the Iowa Donor Network. Iowa had the highest number of organ donors in the state’s history in 2018. In total, 74 deceased donors accounted for 248 organs transplanted. This is also the most organs ever transplanted in the state’s history.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is proposing the Legislature pass a constitutional amendment that would no longer allow the state to strip convicted felons of their right to vote. The proposal was made today as part of Reynolds’ Condition of the State address to lawmakers. Reynolds also made a budget request that includes $93 million more in funding for education, $20 million for her Future Ready Iowa jobs training program, additional money for children’s mental health, state universities and funding for rural broadband and housing programs.

WASHINGTON, IA (IRN) – Iowa Republican Rep. Steve King was removed from his House committees Monday. House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy of California said Sunday he would take action after King told the New York Times: “White nationalist, white supremacist, Western civilization — how did that language become offensive?” The decision by the Republican Steering Committee to remove King from the judiciary, agriculture and small business committees was unanimous. King denies he’s a racist.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The long process of adding gun rights to the Iowa Constitution must begin again due to a mistake at the Iowa Secretary of State’s office. Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate said Monday that his office forgot to publish official details of the Legislature’s plan to amend the Iowa Constitution. Pate, a Republican, apologized.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Protesters took to the benches at the downtown Ped Mall in Iowa City Monday, according KCRG-TV. They are protesting new benches that have bars that prevent homeless people from sleeping on them. Protesters want the old benches back.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa is now ranked eighth for growth in the number of women-owned businesses as well as their own growth in employment and revenues, according to an American Express report. Three years ago, the state was in last place. Local business owners said one of the reasons for the change is the network of women who support each other has grown as well as access to resources.

RICHLAND, IA (IRN) – A snowmobile driver went missing early this morning. KCII Radio reports at 1:49 a.m. Henry County authorities were notified of a missing snowmobile driver. The driver is 25-year-old Spencer Ray Adam of Richland. Henry County officials began searching with authorities from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The snowmobile was located near the Skunk River shortly after 3 a.m. Adam was not found near the snowmobile and is still missing.

AMES, IA (IRN) – Ames Police are looking for a teenage suspect in a weekend shooting. WHO-TV reports a witness told officers a woman was shot in the chest and identified the shooter. She’s in stable condition. Wanted in the shooting is 18-year-old Rodney D. Halterman. An warrant has been issued for attempted murder.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa lawmakers head back to the Statehouse today for the start of the 2019 legislative session. Republicans control the House, Senate and governor’s office and are eager to continue achieving conservative goals. Issues range from property tax reform to choosing judges to job training to fill the need for more workers.

WASHINGTON, D. C. – The top House Republican in D. C. says he and Rep. Steve King will discuss King’s future in the party following the Iowa congressman’s remarks in defense of white supremacy. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy told CBS’ “Face the Nation” yesterday he intends to have a “serious conversation” with King today. The California Republican says King’s “language has no place in America.” Iowa Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst have also condemned King’s remarks. King denies being racist.

WINTERSET, IA (IRN) – One of Madison County’s historic bridges was burnt down in April 2017, but reconstruction is now underway. After three arsonists set fire to the Cedar Covered Bridge, the community decided to rebuild their piece of history. The Madison County Covered Bridge Preservation Association welcomes donations to cover unexpected expenses.