DES MOINES – Iowa House Republicans passed their version of a compromise as it related to overhauling Area Education Agencies, funding public education, and increasing minimum teacher salaries in the state. Leadership proposed an amendment late Thursday and limited the time on debate as it contained some compromise with the Iowa Senate as it related to several controversial provisions that have drawn widespread opposition across the state. The version the house passed still required schools to spend the majority of their special education funds with AEAs, but allows pass through dollars for media and educational service to stay with schools, who can choose private vendors for those options instead. The measure, which passed only with Republican support, also moves oversight for the organizations to the state department of education, raises minimum teacher salaries for new educators and 12-year veterans, and provided a 2.5% increase for state supplemental aid.

IOWA – Many across the state are gearing up more multiple forms of precipitation this weekend as a late-season winter storm impacts the Midwest, according to the National Weather Service. Multiple rounds of rain, snow, and thunderstorms are expected to begin Saturday night and continue through Monday. Most of the state north of Highway 20 could see four to eight inches of snow, and many across the central third of the state could see mixed precipitation as well and icy roads overnight. Much needed precipitation is expected, as most of the state could see at least an inch of water in whatever form by Tuesday morning, which could be a small dent in an ongoing severe drought.

OMAHA – One Iowa Division I men’s basketball team advanced and the other had their season end late Thursday. The No. 2 seed Iowa State Cyclones never trailed in their 82-65 win over South Dakota State in the opening round of the NCAA tournament. Drake came up just shy of an upset in the game that followed their in-state counterparts, falling to Washington State 66-61. Iowa Stat takes on Washington State Saturday at 5:10 p.m. in Omaha.

HARTLEY – A teenager died in a single vehicle crash in O’Brien County Wednesday morning. The Iowa State Patrol reports the unidentified juvenile was traveling eastbound on 300th Street in a rural part of the county and struck a creek embankment. The 16-year-old was not wearing a seat belt and died from his injuries.

JOHNSON COUNTY – The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is looking into the death of an individual at the Johnson County Jail earlier this month. A press release issued late Wednesday indicated a deputy was monitoring a camera and witnessed 36-year-old Nathaniel Davis, Jr., fall over on camera after he was booked into the facility for a seven day sentence. Jail staff responded and attempted CPS and a defibrillator. He later died at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics on March 19th. Iowa’s DCI and the State Jail Inspector are investigating.

DES MOINES – Legislation is moving ahead with bipartisan support that would restrict, but not ban, the use of traffic cameras in the state. KCCI-TV reports a bill that made it through the house subcommittee would require communities that install speed cameras to prove its improving safety along a roadway and changing driver behavior. It requires those municipalities to apply through the Iowa DOT and include justification for installation. The bill applies to any state, federal, or interstate highway. It would still need to pass out of both chambers in the next few weeks to take effect July 1st.

FORT DODGE – Fort Dodge Police have released the name of the man who was shot and killed by an officer over the weekend. WHO-13 reports the victim of the officer-involved-shooting has been identified as 24-year-old Tyler Stansberry of Fort Dodge. Officers were called to a home on Saturday morning on a report of a violent individual, who as he allegedly moved towards officers with the knives in his hands, he was shot and killed. The officer who shot Stansberry remains on leave.

CRESTON – A Creston man has been charged following a fatal crash last month in Madison County. KCCI-TV reports 30-year-old Charles Lohoff faces a count of homicide by vehicle – operation under the influence, and another homicide charge for reckless driving. He’s accused of causing the death of 42-year-old Jonathon Taylor of Adel.

IOWA – As soon as he arrived in Iowa City, he was gone — again. KCRG-TV reports former Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor decommitted from the University of Iowa after announcing his return to campus in January. Proctor, a Southeast Polk graduate, committed to the Hawkeyes while in high school, only to switch to the Crimson Tide, where he started this past fall season. Proctor is expected to return to Alabama after leaving the Hawkeyes following just over a month in black and gold.

DES MOINES – Despite bipartisan opposition, a bill that would overhaul Area Education Agencies in Iowa passed in the Senate after hours of debate Monday. The Des Moines Register reports the version of the legislation would essentially turn AEAs to a fee for service agency, redirecting 90% of the funding they currently receive back to school districts for special education service by fiscal year 2026 for special education services and removing any guaranteed funding for the other functions of the agency. A bipartisan group of legislators voted against the measure, worried a lack of guaranteed money would destabilize the regional agencies and lead to significant loss of effectiveness. Several differences remain between a version passed by the Iowa House, and the two chambers would have to reach a compromise before sending something to Governor Kim Reynolds for a signature. She praised the Senate for passing their version in a statement following the vote.

ZEARING – The Story County Sheriff’s Office has filed multiple felony charges against four individuals accused of severely abusing a family member. A press release issued late Monday indicated that Gary and Danielle Graham and Aaron and Kaitlynn Williams, all from the Story County community, are charged with 1st degree kidnapping, a Class A felony, and willful injury, a Class C felony. The sheriff’s office responded to a call for a severely injured and malnourished male at a local hospital, brought to the emergency room by two of the family members. The adult victim weighed 70 pounds and had several life-threatening injuries stemming from alleged abuse, including a brain bleed and fractured ribs. An investigation found the family had all allegedly been part of the attacks, which included restraint by handcuffs and severe diet restrictions.

IOWA – Five NCAA Division I basketball teams in Iowa are dancing in March Madness this week. The Iowa Women’s Basketball team received a No. 1 seed and the Iowa State Cyclones men a No. 2 seed in their respective 68-team brackets. Both Drake teams and the Cyclone women are also playing for a national championship.