From the Associated Press (11:20 a.m.):
FAIRFAX, Iowa (AP) – Officials in eastern Iowa say two people are dead after their vehicle was hit by a train at a private railroad crossing in Linn County. The Linn County Sheriff’s Office says in a news release that the crash happened around 4:15 p.m. Sunday west of Fairfax. Investigators say the vehicle was traveling south when it was hit by the Union Pacific train. The vehicle’s two occupants – a male driver and a female passenger – were both pronounced dead at the scene. Officials did not immediately release their names. Officials are still investigating the cause of the crash.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – The companies working to build pipelines to capture carbon dioxide produced by ethanol plants and transport it as a liquid under high pressure to permanent storage deep underground may face opposition from farmers and environmental groups in Nebraska and Iowa. One of the companies, Summit Carbon Solutions, has already started contacting landowners about the $4.5 billion project. Supporters of the projects, which include the Nebraska Ethanol Board, say the pipelines will be safe and would lower the carbon impact of producing the corn-based fuel. That would help it meet goals California and Oregon have adopted for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to combat global warming.
SLOAN, Iowa (AP) – A 12-year-old Iowa boy has died after being run over during a homecoming parade accident. Woodbury County Deputy William Brooks says the boy fell off a float Friday in Sloan, Iowa and then was run over. The Westwood Community School District identified the victim as Kage McDonald. The Sioux City Journal reports the boy was flown to a Sioux City hospital but died of his injuries. People gathered Friday at the Westwood Community School football field to greave.
WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) – At least 16 people in eastern Iowa have been charged with gun crimes after a two-day sweep by federal authorities. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports grand juries met Wednesday through Friday in the U.S. District Court for Northern Iowa and issued the indictments. Many of those indicted have already been charged in state courts for weapons offenses. Most of the indictments were for felons in possession of a firearm or for having a firearm and using drugs.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley says he will seek an eighth term in 2022. The 88-year-old announced his reelection plans early Friday on Twitter and said there is “a lot more to do, for Iowa.” Grassley has been in the Senate for 40 years and is the longest-serving Republican senator. The announcement was welcomed by Republicans and gives them more confidence in holding the seat as they fight to overtake Democrats’ one-vote margin in the Senate. Grassley waited much longer than usual to announce his reelection plans so he could weigh the obvious factor of his advanced age. Should he win reelection, Grassley would be 95 at the end of his term.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – Reports of sexual assaults have fueled protests on at least eight U.S. college campuses just weeks into the new school year. Victims’ advocates say more young people are vulnerable this year as they settle into campus life after learning remotely because of the pandemic. They also say students seem more engaged in speaking out against campus sexual assault and adept at drumming up support for the cause social media. Sexual assault allegations have led students to demonstrate over the past month at colleges in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Alabama, Michigan, Massachusetts and Missouri. Advocates say COVID-19 restrictions last year kept some sophomores from fully settling into college life, making them more vulnerable to assaults.
