Davenport Man Gets Life for Killing Girlfriend's Son

Zachary Connell of Davenport's been sentenced to life in prison for killing his girlfriend's 3-year old son in 2010. He was convicted of first degree murder and child endangerment causing death. KCCI reports an autopsy determined the child died from blunt force trauma. Connell didn't testify, but at sentencing told a judge he didn't kill Addison Baldwin.

911 Call After Four Hours of Abuse

Finally getting to call 911 from her cell phone probably saved a Des Moines woman's life. Police said 32 year old Christal Hackett was beaten for four hours. Thirty nine year old Chad Valasek was arrested after Hackett called for help. He allegedly beat, kicked, punched, threw a chair at and slammed Hackett against a wall the entire time. He faces several charges including kidnapping and domestic abuse.

Semi-Automatic Rifles for Vehicle Enforcdement Officers

Iowa’s motor vehicle enforcement officers will soon be carrying semi-automatic rifles, as backups to handguns. A DMV spokesperson says they sometimes come across criminal activity, like narcotics. There was even agreement between a democratic and republican lawmaker in the State Senate today that preference in purchasing should go to an in-state weapons distributor. The state DOT's still soliciting bids.

Attorney General Asked if Regents Have Power to Close Price Lab School

Three GOP lawmakers have asked the Attorney General for an opinion on whether the Iowa Board of Regents can close the University of Northern Iowa's laboratory school. The regents voted Monday to close the Malcolm Price Laboratory School, which has been part of UNI's teacher training program for decades. KCCI reports State code designates Price as Iowa's research and development school.

State Sen Passes Kaydn's Law

The State Senate's passed a bill toughening penalties for drivers who pass a school bus when its' red warning lights are flashing. Kaydn's law ups the minimum fine to $250 and raises the maximum to $675 for a first offense and up to 30-days in jail. KCCI reports if there's an injury because of the violation, there are more fines, jail time, and license suspension. 7-year old Kaydn Halverson died last year after being hit by a driver who illegally passed a stopped school bus.

Man Dead After Jumping From Bridge

A 27-year-old man is dead after he leaped from an overpass onto Interstate 380 in Cedar Rapids. The incident happened around 1230 yesterday afternoon, as the Gazette newspaper reports, police said the man jumped from the Wilson Avenue overpass, hit a van passing below, and died at the hospital. The van driver was not hurt.

Sioux City Students Won't See Bullying Project Film

The superintendent of the Sioux City Public Schools says high schoolers won't be seeing a movie about bullying. Paul Gausman says the documentary has an R rating because of its foul language. He said the district in general won't allow the language or graphic material in movies to be shown, so The Bully Project" will not become a tool in the district's arsenal to teach students about bullying. Parts of the film were shot at a Sioux City elementary school, and even featured a now former student.