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.

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.