Winter Storm

...WINTER STORM TO IMPACT THE AREA TODAY AND TONIGHT....LIGHT SNOW THIS MORNING WILL INTENSIFY BY THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING...THEN TAPER OFF AGAIN LATER TONIGHT. MODERATE TO HEAVY ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED ESPECIALLY ALONG AND SOUTH OF INTERSTATE 80. INCREASING WINDS THIS EVENING AND TONIGHT WILL ALSO LEAD TO BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF SNOW MAKING TRAVEL HAZARDOUS. A WINTER STORM WARNING GOES IN EFFECT AT NOON. 5-7 INCHES IS EXPECTED IN THE METRO.

New Radios

Years after the 2008 flood exposed flaws in emergency communications, first responders in Iowa's second largest county are using a new radio system so they can talk to each other. Linn County Sheriff Brian Gardner says his office and police departments in Hiawatha, Mount Vernon, Lisbon and Robins started using the new digital system Monday. Marion started using it last week, and Cedar Rapids is scheduled to make the switch Feb. 11. It cost more than $19-million.

Felons Vote

Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz is defending his office against what he says is unfair criticism at an Iowa Senate State Government Committee meeting. At issue: how three Cerro Gordo County voters had their ballots thrown out in the 2012 presidential election after their names appeared on a database of felons ineligible to vote. An investigation later proved the votes should have been counted. The three voters were eligible to cast ballots because two had their rights restored and the third had never been convicted of a felony.

Cashless State Fair

The Iowa State Fair Board is still discussing a way to eliminate cash sales at food vendors, rides and other attractions. After scrapping plans for a cashless system this summer that would have used tickets purchased online or at sites on the fairgrounds, the board is now considering prepaid plastic cards similar to credit cards. But no changes are planned for this summer's fair, which tuns from August 7th-17th.

Broadband

State lawmakers are considering legislation that provides incentives for improving broadband internet technology access across Iowa. Under the proposal, companies that invest in broadband infrastructure could receive breaks on property and income taxes. Governor Branstad has made broadband expansion a key focus for this legislative session.

Aircraft Repair

A specialized aircraft maintenance program for Des Moines area high school students is in jeopardy because of issues over the space used to teach it. A lease on the space at Des Moines International Airport expires at the end of June, and the Airport Authority Board has refused to renew it. Students would instead be moved to a nearby hangar that's about one-fourth the size. Parents and others are petitioning the move and want to keep the students in the current facility, that's been in use for nearly 40 years.

Waterloo drug ring

A man has gotten prison time for running a Waterloo drug ring... Dwayne Appling was sentenced to more than 27 years in federal prison... he has to serve 10 years of supervised release after he gets out of prison... he and his accomplices allegedly distributed heroin throughout the Waterloo area between 2007 and march of 2010. He was arrested in South Dakota in November of 2012. His organization allegedly involved more than 39 people.