Morningside College Has Record Enrollment
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Morningside College has reported the largest enrollment in the school’s 120-year history.
The Sioux City Journal reports the college has enrolled 2,824 full- and part-time students for the fall 2014 semester.
That total includes 1,280 full-time undergraduate students. The college enrolled 429 new full-time students for the fall 2014 semester.
Officials say this fall’s total enrollment surpasses the previous record of 2,542 full- and part-time students last fall.
Five Fire Fighters Injured In Des Moines Fire
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Five firefighters have been treated for injuries they received fighting a fire in a downtown Des Moines building.
Officials say the firefighters’ injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
The fire was reported shortly after 12 a.m. Saturday in the 19-story Equitable Building.
Fire Chief John TeKippe tells The Des Moines Register that two firefighters were hurt by falling debris, one fell off an 8-foot ladder and two others were treated for heat-related issues.
No other injuries have been reported.
Officials say the fire was contained in a crawl space with electrical wiring and ductwork on the second floor, where most of the damage occurred. Some upper floors received smoke damage.
Inmate Death
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Officials say a Polk County inmate found hanging and unconscious in a cell last week has died.
The Des Moines Register reports that the inmate, whose identity has not been released, died Monday at a hospital.
Officials say the inmate was found hanging in the cell the morning of August 23rd. Officials say jail staff took lifesaving measures, and the inmate was taken to a hospital.
No further information was immediately available.
Fatal Motorcycle Crash
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – A motorcyclist has died in an Omaha, Nebraska hospital after crashing on a Council Bluffs roadway.
Omaha television station KETV says the crash happened Saturday afternoon on the 16th street ramp onto Interstate 29, near the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office in western Iowa. The biker was taken to an Omaha hospital, where he died.
A witness told investigators that the crash happened when the motorcyclist swerved to avoid another bike.
Police have not yet released the name of the motorcyclist.
Laced Food
OTTUMWA, Iowa (AP) – Police in southeast Iowa say lab tests have confirmed the presence of THC, the intoxicating chemical found in marijuana, in a burger bought last April at a local fast-food restaurant.
An Ottumwa couple reported to police on April 26th that they believed the food they received from the restaurant on April 26 contained marijuana.
Police seized the food, sent it off for tests and began an investigation.
While the lab determined the controlled substance was in the food, police say they have no evidence that a restaurant employee put it there, and the investigation has been closed.
After Legislative Scandal, No Plan To Change Ethics Rules
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa legislative leaders don’t plan to change ethics rules for political work after a former state senator admitted to lying about receiving payments to switch his support from one Republican presidential candidate to another.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced last week that former Sen. Kent Sorenson pleaded guilty to receiving thousands of dollars in “under the table payments” from a 2012 presidential campaign and lying about the money.
State Senate rules forbid sitting lawmakers from being paid by a campaign while in office. Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, a Democrat from Council Bluffs, says in Sorenson’s case, the Senate oversight process worked
In the House, lawmakers can accept paid political work but must disclose the income. House Speaker Kraig Paulsen says there are no plans to change the rules.
