From the KCRG-TV9 Newsroom:
Police have made an arrest in the cold case murder of a realtor from nearly 15 years ago in central Iowa. Prosecutors charged Kristin Ramsey with first degree murder in the death of Ashley Okland. In April of 2011, Okland was found dead with two gunshot wounds inside a model town home where she was holding an open house. Police have not released any details. West Des Moines police are set to hold a news conference later this morning.
The Iowa House has passed a bill outlawing Kratom as a Schedule 1 drug. Currently, it is legal in Iowa and sold in capsules, drinks, and powders. Lawmakers in support of the bill say it is dangerous and addictive. Others called for an amendment to regulate the drug instead of ban it, but that failed. The bill now heads to the Senate, where there is a companion bill up for debate.
The Iowa National Guard has sent two crews to help battle widespread wildfires in Nebraska. Four active fires have already burned more than 800,000 acres. The biggest, between Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge and Lake McConaughy, has burned 643,000 acres.
A new survey shows strong support among Iowa voters for raising the state’s tobacco tax. The Iowa Health Initiative reports 66 percent would back an increase. Democratic State Rep. Austin Baeth and Republican Rep. Brett Barker say it’s a non-partisan issue. Both have proposed bills that would increase the tobacco tax by $1.50. Governor Kim Reynolds proposed a tax increase of 65 cents, but it failed to pass committee earlier this year.
Greyhound bus line is launching two new routes in Iowa. Several new stops are being added in one route from Des Moines to St. Louis, and the other from Des Moines to Indianapolis. It’ll include stops in Mount Pleasant, Burlington, Ottumwa, Oskaloosa, and Monroe. The service launched yesterday with one trip in each direction daily.
The University of Iowa says the first weekend of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament at Carver Hawkeye Arena is sold out. Carver-Hawkeye will host two first-round games on Saturday, and one second-round game on Monday. Iowa’s contest against Fairleigh Dickinson will tip off Saturday at 3 p.m.
