DNR Auction

The Iowa DNR is preparing to auction off all sorts of hunting equipment, including firearms, bows and tree stands. The Spring Auction is set for May 10th at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. You can preview the items up for auction the day before from four until six.

Government Accountability

Senate Democrats have unveiled a government accountability bill they claim provides a sweeping response to issues surrounding secret settlements with former state employees. The leading Republican in the Senate says the bill is missing somehting important -- disclosure of why employees were fired.

ISU Data Breach

ISU says another 29,000 current and former students could be affected by a data breach of three department servers. That brings the potential number of people whose information may be at risk to over 48,000. There's more information at www.iastate.edu/serverbreach.

Sex Abuse Case

A Des moines man accused of sexually abusing as many as nine children at his wife's in home day care - goes to trial today. 48 year old david smith was arrested last year... his wife is NOT a suspect in the case.

Streetscape

Work will start soon on a streetscape project along Beaverdale Avenue. A roundabout almost greeted drivers as part of the project, but that was nixed after a pile of complaints came in. Crews start next week on the million-dollar project, which chould be done by the end of summer.

Vehicle Burning Body

Investigators don't think a crime was involved in the death of a Clive woman whose body was found next to a burning car in West Des Moines. Officers found 34-year-old Sandra Dilworth's body Sunday morning when they responded to a call about the vehicle fire. The cause of her death has not been released.

Whistleblower Protection

Lawmakers learned Tuesday that Iowa's whistleblower protection law has been de-fanged. Why? worker contracts. A top leader in the ombudsman’s office says union contracts prevent his office from investigating 93-percent of claims.

Horses March to Des Moines

KCCI makes this story sound like a march on Washington or something: "Nearly 300 horses marched into Des Moines from across the state..." Really, it was an annual fundraiser for Camp Sunnyside, a special needs camp for kids and adults. The Pony Express Riders raised more than $260-thosuand this eyar.

Plainfield Water Situation

It's one of those luxuries we take for granted - always having water... and one Iowa city is without it today... a water line break has meant no water for the community of Plainfield today... no word on how long it'll take to fix it.

Secret Payments

The state auditor has decided to review secret settlement payments with former state workers.

Mary Mosiman plans to issue a public report when the investigation concludes.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jack Hatch wants a review of the settlements and a broader audit from a firm outside state government.

Governor Terry Branstad appointed Mosiman last year.

Tobacco Payment

Iowa has $71 million arriving in its treasury.

Tobacco companies involved in the 1998 landmark settlement with states over tobacco-related health care costs have transferred the money.

Train Fatality ID

Police have identified a teenager that a freight train killed in Des Moines yesterday.

They say 18-year-old Phillip Simmons fell while trying to hop aboard the train at a crossing and got caught underneath it.

The accident blocked several crossings during the morning hours.

Des Moines Schools Energy Savings

Des Moines Studebacker Elementary and McCombs Middle schools have made the top ten in the annual Energy Star National Building Competition: Battle of the Buildings. KCCI reports Studebaker saved 31.9% in energy use last year-$14,000. McCombs Middle 29.7%, and an estimated $46,700 on energy in 2013.   

Gun Law Change

Some are seeking a change to an Iowa law that currently makes it illegal for children young than 14 to fire handguns. Nathan Gibson tells KCCI he was inspired to change the law after being told at a shooting range last weekend that his 8-year-old daughter, Natalie, wasn't old enough to shoot her handgun. According to Iowa law, children younger than 14 are not allowed to use handguns even with adult supervision. Ranges have been enforcing the law more closely since a recent effort to lower the age to 12.

Insurance Investigation

An insurance agency is under investigation for possibly overbilling government employees for health care coverage... the register says the state is investigating two rivers insurance company... which had been acting as an independent agency selling insurance for companies like wellmark... A wellmark spokesperson says two rivers had marked up some customers' premiums without welmark knowing it, so welmark ended its dealw tih two rivers... a spokesman with two rivers said the company disagrees with wellmark's determination.

Parole Granted

Officials have granted parole to a 68-year-old Iowa inmate who has been imprisoned since 1974 for the killing of a man over a gambling debt. The Iowa Board of Parole has approved the release of Rasberry Williams, who was convicted of first-degree murder in the shooting death of a man outside a Waterloo pool hall. Over the decades, record show Williams had been a model inmate and in 1979 helped end a prison standoff in which two guards were taken hostage. Gov. Terry Branstad commuted his sentence last year, making him eligible for parole.

Project Alluvion

There's a new conference tomorrow morning at 11, where details are expected to be released about Project Alluvion, a data center in West Des Moines. WHO-TV reports the Governor, Polk County and West Des Moines officials will attend. The city's approved $18-million in incentives, and the new conference follows a State Economic Development Authority meeting on incentives for the project.

Park Trees

If you've driven by or walked or biked through Water Works Park recently you may have noticed some trees have been big orange X's marking them to be cut down. Water Works President and CEO Bill Stowe said these trees are "high hazard ash trees." Because they are ash trees, they are susceptible to Emerald Ash Borer, and because of their location in high traffic areas, they could injure walkers of bikers while the use the park.

Prom Credits

Some good news for parents with prom season coming. Some prom expenses qualify for a state tax credit. Iowa's Revenue Department says prom and other school-related social activities fall under the Tuition and Textbook Credit of the state’s tax code. Athletic fees, booster club dues, band or athletic uniforms and renting musical instruments are also covered.    

Rasberry Williams to be Set Free

Rasberry Williams will soon be a free man. The State Parole Board today decided to release the 67-year old to an assisted living center. His life sentence for a 1974 murder in Waterloo was commuter by Gov. Branstad last year. He'll stay at the North Central Correctional Facility, until a facility can be found. 

Warren Co Fire

Des Moines firefighters were on the scene of fire this afternoon at a tire shop in Warren County, just south of the city limits. The building was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived and has been declared a total loss. No one was hurt. Thick black smoke could be seen in the air across the southern part of Des Moines. Firefighters say the flames were driven by strong winds.

Grand Avenue Bridge

A Des Moines icon is nearing its end. Grand Avenue’s historic, arched bridge over the Des Moines River will be replaced within two years. City leaders are now trying to determine what the new bridge will look like. During a meeting last night, they asked for public feedback on four potential plans; a $6 million barebones design, more aesthetic plans ranging from seven to nine million, and a pie-in-the-sky proposal which replicates the true handmade arches of the original bridge. It would cost somewhere north of $40 million.

Spring Planting

Spring planting in Iowa and across the Corn Belt is sputtering because the soil remains too soggy or cold for effective seeding. The Department of Agriculture says only 3 percent of the corn crop is sown. That's half the pace of last year when one of the wettest springs on record got farmers off to the slowest start in decades.

Temple Security

At least one Des Moines temple will beef up security in the wake of the shooting in Kansas City. Rabbi David Kaufman tells KCCI the Passover holiday at Temple B'Nai Jeshurun will take on special importance this week after three people in Kansas City were killed. The three people targeted by the KC shooter were not Jewish, but just happened to be outside a Jewish community building and retirement center. Fraizer says he will also use the shooting as a teaching tool in his Passover message this week.

Trial Delayed

The trial of a former Boone man charged with killing his wife has been delayed again. This is the second postponement since Alexander Fazzino was arrested last April. The trial was originally supposed to begin last June. It's now been rescheduled for December.

Water Works Trees

You may notice some of the trees in  Water Works Park have been marked for removal.  CEO Bill Stowe tells KCCI they're high hazard ash trees.  They're a problem for two reasons, one as ash trees there's the emerald ash borer, an two-they're in high traffic areas.  They don't want trees falling in areas close to people.  The tree work should be done in 18-months. 

Sen Harkin on Airports

Senator Harkin says Iowa's airports stand to receive $3 million to make improvements.

DOT funding pays for renovations at airports in Des Moines and three other cities.

WHO-TV reports Des Moines International Airport has nearly $2 million on its way.

The money can rehabilitate the runway, access road, and apron.

Kids Funeral Money

The statehouse has approved state funding for children's funerals.

The nonprofit group Sing Me To Heaven supports low-income families who cannot afford to bury their children.

Lawmakers have adopted an amendment that gives this organization $100,000 to offer support to families to have lost children.

The Department of Public Health would administer the money.  Eligible families could receive $2,000 for funeral expenses after a child's death.

National Guard Choppers

The Iowa Army National Guard has two new helicopters replacing a Vietnam-era one.  The aircraft cost about $6 million each. One is equipped with a thermal imaging camera, powerful search light and mapping and imaging screens. The other helicopter is lighter and can carry more cargo or personnel and has a hoist system used on medevac aircraft. The choppers will be used for emergency response, transport and search and rescue operations.

Shooting

Des Moines Police are investigating a shooting in front of an apartment building in the 2800 block of  30th Street this morning.  27-year-old Kazmond Mead told police he heard a shot and felt a hot sensation on his neck. He said he ran inside, but passed out before he could call police.  Mead was taken to a hospital with a bullet wound in his neck. 

Former Teacher Accused of Sex Crime

A former teacher at Ankeny High School is accused of sexually exploiting a student.  33-year-old Mandy Davenport of Des Moines was a language arts teacher at Ankeny High School when the alleged incident involving a 17-year-old student took place.  Davenport was placed on leave Monday from her job at Ankeny Centennial High School and was arrested yesterday.

I-35 Work

The next phase of rebuilding Interstate 35 in West Des Moines starts this week. Crews will be closing the northbound ramps on Grand Avenue at 9am tomorrow. On April 13, northbound traffic on I-35 will be moved in temporary lanes in the center median. This will allow crews to demolish and rebuild the northbound lanes from the Highway 5 bypass north to the western mixmaster.
Iowa DOT officials said the work will not impact access to Mills Civic Parkway. The Grand Avenue ramps, northbound, are expected to reopen in late November.

Military Exercise

The North American Aerospace Defense Command is conducting a training exercise in the sky over central Iowa. NORAD says low-flying fighter jets may be seen near military or military contracted civilian aircraft. Such practice sessions have been held throughout the United States and Canada since the start of Operation Noble Eagle, NORAD's response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Missing Woman ID

The body of a missing iowa woman found in a rural area near minneapolis over the weekend - has been identified as a 29 year old woman from davenport... the hennepin county medical examiner's office says she's carrie elaine olson... her cause of death is pending further investigation... she was reported missing from davenport, and her body was found this weekend in a vacant lot in dakota county.

Motorcycle Fatal

A Des Moines man is now charged with vehicular homicide in connection with a crash last month on East 30th Avenue. Charges against 21-year-old Jacob Phipps were upgraded today after motorcyclist Michael Harden died from his injuries sustained in the March 29th crash.

Secret Settlements

Gov. Terry Branstad announced Tuesday that he terminated the Department of Administrative Services Director Mike Carroll. Janet Phipp was named as the interim director of DAS. According to a statement from the Governor, new facts that have surfaced in the past few days led to him discovering Carroll had lied both to him and the Oversight Committee concerning the employee settlements controversy. Branstad says Carroll told him employees were not paid an additional amount in exchange for confidentiality provisions.

VEISHA Incident

At least one person was seriously hurt during the overnight VEISHA celebration at Iowa state university... KCCI says at least one person was seriously hurt and flown to a hospital in des moines after he was hit with a light pole in the head... students gathered on the streets at about 11 last night, and reportedly pulled out stop signs, broke a window on a fire station, and flipped over at least two vehicles. Police broke up the crowd about an hour after the riot started... several students were arrested.

Younkers Follow-Up

Investigators are not sure what caused the Younkers building fire last weekend, but they are sure it was not arson. The 39-person ATF crew working here all week has left Des Moines. ATF Public Information officer John Ham tells KCCI the fire investigation is not closed. Des Moines Fire Department investigators continue their work. Locust Street reopened Sunday. Eighth Street will soon become a staging area for cleanup and construction equipment. Expect it to be months before the intersection at Seventh and Locust intersection reopens.

Water Works Notices

Des Moines Water Works has notified some customers that their water contained a potentially dangerous chemical that people drank for months but waterworks’ top official says the water’s fine now and people should be fine even if they drank the water before crews fully treated it. CEO, Bill Stowe, said the water had higher amounts of dirt and fertilizer from runoff over the winter. He said crews had to use unusually high amounts of chlorine to clean the water.

Minimum Wage

Democrat party lawmakers visited a small business in Des Moines Saturday, pushing for an increase in the minimum wage from $7.25 per hour to $10.10 per hour. U.S. Senator Tom Harkin was joined by Congressman Bruce Braley, State Senator Jack Hatch, and U.S. Secretary of Labor, Thomas Perez. at the RAYGUN shirt store in East Village. RAYGUN owner Mike Draper prides himself on paying all workers above minimum wage, and even paying interns.

Electronic Billboards

Talk is heating up about electronic billboards in Des Moines. Several neighborhood associations have complained about the recent increase in digital billboards. Des Moines City Councilman Chris Hensley tells KCCI the current ordinance, which was last updated 10 years earlier, needs to be changed.Today, council members will discuss a 60-day halt to adding new billboards until they figure out how to strike a balance that’s fair to businesses and residents.

Disappearing Chip

An Iowa State University professor has developed electronics that are able to store and send sensitive data, but be destroyed down to nothing if compromised. The technology can be used in everything from medical devices that travel inside the body to the military and intelligence operations. WHO-TV reports the polymer based product is degradable and environmentally friendly. By adding water the circuit board starts to dissolve, destroying all sensitive data that was on it. Eventually, that will also include the specially made casing surrounding the data chip.

Coach Suit

A former Clarke University softball coach is suing the school, claiming she was fired because she rejected efforts by the school to make her appear more feminine. The Dubuque Telegraph Herald reports Jaclyn Salzwedel filed the lawsuit last week. Salzwedel's lawsuit says she usually wore long cargo shorts and polo or T-shirts to work. She claims officials pressured her starting in 2012 to wear makeup and more-feminine clothing.

HyVee Fight

Police say a 6th person's been charged in a fight outside a Windsor Heights Hy-Vee Tuesday, KCCI reports police say 24-year old Danny Butts , charged with assault with injury, is probably the last to be charged. Windsor Heights Police are asking that anyone with video or picture of the incident come forward, or call Polk County Crime Stoppers at 515-223-1400.

Medical Marijuana UPD

Iowa lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are working in private on a medical marijuana deal. The controversial push to legalize some form of medical marijuana in Iowa seemed destined for a vote next year at the earliest. But many in the statehouse say a fast-tracked bill is in the works and could be presented this week. Our partners at KCCI confirmed through multiple sources that bipartisan, narrow legislation was in the works Wednesday behind closed doors at the Statehouse.

Pharmacy Owner Indicted

The owner of a Des Moines drug store accused of selling prescription painkillers to people without prescriptions has pleaded not guilty to 16 charges, including conspiracy to distribute drugs. Mark Graziano, who owns Bauder Pharmacy, was indicted yesterday in connection with the disappearance of hundreds of thousands of hydrocodne tablets.

State Fair Tickets

Tickets for the Iowa State Fair Grandstand shows will go on sale April 12th. A week from Saturday is also when fairgoers will be able to purchase Fair Play Packs, Midway tickets, Zipline passes and 11-day punch cards online.

Teen Tanning

Health officials are urging Iowa teens to skip one part of prom preparations this year. They’re being asked to sign a “No Tanning Pledge” and promise not to use tanning beds. The school with the highest percentage of students taking the pledge will win $500 for prom planning.

Wahlert Suit

Joesph Walsh, a former administrative law judge at Iowa Workforce Development's filed suit against the agency's director, Teresa Wahlert, and the state, alleging Wahlert tried to influence his rulings in favor of employers. WHO-TV reports Walsh's suit alleges he and his wife, who also worked for the agency, were let go when he refused to cooperate with Wahlert.     

Developer Dead

Investigators are looking for leads in the death of a Des Moines area developer. Tthe body of 64-year-old Bobby Joe Knapp was found inside a burned out car in Guthrie County on Sunday. Knapp had recently been released to home confinement after serving time for violating clean air laws. Federal officials last week issued a warrant for his arrest for violating his parole status.

NASCAR Tax Break

NASCAR will get a tax break to keep the Iowa Speedway in Newton moving forward. Governor Branstad’s office says he'll sign a bill tomorrow (Wednesday) giving NASCAR the same tax deal that previous owners had. The deal had originally applied only if Iowans retained partial ownership of the track.

Lt Governor Thailand Trip

Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds says she will lead a trade mission to Thailand. The goal of the trip is to promote the purchase of Iowa-grown soybeans and other products. Reynolds will leave Saturday for the weeklong trip, which is being organized and paid for by the Iowa Soybean Association.

Younkers Building Fire

There is a much better picture of what happened in the days and the hours leading up the fire at the Younkers Building. The contractors say renovation was right on schedule, demolition was complete and new windows were going in. Hanson Company VP Tony Garcia was the last person in the building before it caught fire, about 5:30pm. There haven't been any issue during construction with code violations, according to Garcia, who says OSHA was on site a week ago today and found no major violations.