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.

DES MOINES – Governor Reynolds has announced that eight troopers and two sergeants from the Iowa Department of Public Safety will deploy March 31 to Texas in support of Operation Lone Star and the Texas Department of Public Safety. The deployment will last 28 days and conclude on April 27. The Iowa National Guard will deploy on two mission. The first deployment will begin April 1and conclude May 3, with 110 personnel supporting the Texas Military Department’s security objectives. The second deployment will conclude September 30th with 5 personnel providing ground vehicle maintenance and public affairs support. All costs will be covered by federal funding allocated to Iowa from the American Rescue Plan.

RED OAK – The fertilizer spill near Red Oak in Montgomery County earlier this month killed nearly all the fish in an almost 50-mile stretch of the East Nishnabotna River to the Missouri border, totaling at just under 750,000. On March 11, NEW Cooperative, Inc. in Red Oak notified the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) of a release occurring on-site. Approximately 1,500 tons of liquid nitrogen fertilizer discharged into a drainage ditch, then into the East Nishnabotna River. The release occurred due to an aboveground storage tank valve left open for the weekend. DNR staff from the Environmental Field Office worked with the NEW Cooperative staff to stop the release and began cleanup efforts. DNR Fisheries staff began investigating the impacts and documented the fish kill occurring in all 50 miles of the East Nishnabotna and Nishnabotna Rivers downstream of the spill.

BOSTON – A late effort in a primetime contest was not enough for the Iowa State Cyclones basketball team, as the men fell to Illnois 72-69 in the Sweet 16. The Cyclones were the last Iowa-based team in the men’s tournament; Iowa’s No. 1 seeded women take on Colorado Saturday.

DES MOINES – Major changes are now officially coming to Area Education Agencies in Iowa. Governor Kim Reynolds celebrated the signing of House File 2612, which shifted large amounts of guaranteed funding from AEAs to school districts who would rather use private services. The bill also established a state aid increase for students at 2.5% and increased base teacher pay for new teachers and those with 12 years of experience. The bill caps administrator pay for AEA leaders as well.

HILLS – One day removed from a vote to close its hometown school, the City of Hills is wanting the facility back after its closure. KCRG-TV reports city officials and residents believe the Iowa City School District should essentially donate the elementary school back to the town, as Hills initially sold the building to the district for $1 in the 1960s. The school board unanimously approved closure of the Hills Elementary School in response to budget reductions across the district.

CLIVE – The $1.13 billion jackpot in Tuesday night’s Mega Millions drawing was won with a ticket in New Jersey. Three Iowa tickets were just a number away from having a share of that jackpot, matching four of the first five numbers and the Mega Ball. One of those tickets won a $10,000 prize, while two won a $20,000 prize. The winners purchased their tickets in Ankeny, Burlington, and Dubuque.

WATERLOO – The Waterloo Police Department has requested the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation to investigate an officer-involved shooting that occurred in Waterloo. One Monday afternoon, employees at Victory Motors called 911 to report that a neighbor, later identified as 41-year-old John Piazza put a gun to an employee’s face and fired a round at the property. Employees stated Piazza told them he would return with a rifle. Police claim they observed a male fitting the description near the windows of the residence with a long gun. A Waterloo police officer observed Piazza point a long gun out of a window towards officers. The officer fired at Piazza, striking him. Officers entered the residence and found Piazza deceased.

DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds is going to sign a bill highlighting a pre-session priority that garnered bipartisan opposition across the state. House File 2612 will become law as it overhauls Area Education Agencies in Iowa. A few Republicans in both the house and senate joined in Democratic opposition as the vast majority of educators in Iowa also were against major changes to AEAs and how they operate. The director of the Heartland AEA in Central Iowa expects they will have to cut close to $18 million in their operations, knowing some school districts will leave their umbrella. The measure redirects all funding outside of special education back to school districts, who can now hire private firms for media and professional services.

HILLS – The Iowa City School Board voted unanimously to close Hills Elementary Tuesday. KCRG-TV reports the move was made to try and preserve jobs in the district after the system faced millions in budget cuts. Local residents pleaded with the board to save the small school, worried about the impact it would have on the small town just outside of Iowa City’s limits. The board says they’ve had to reduce their budget for nearly two years as state aid has fallen well short of inflation and due to declining enrollment.