Iowa’s Corn Crop Leads to Rail Car Surge
(Des Moines, IA) — Iowa’s record 2021 corn harvest fueled a significant increase in traffic on the rail lines that run through the state. Iowa DOT Director Scott Marler says the car loads of grain in 2021 were the most since 2008 and it is mostly due to the high volumes that were being exported. Railroad traffic nationwide increased seven percent in 2021 compared to 2020, but has not rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. The volume of cars and trucks on Iowa streets and highways dropped more than 40 percent at the start of the pandemic. Marler says traffic levels are pretty much back to pre-pandemic levels and are even higher in Iowa’s rural areas. He says that’s likely because of the high volume of trucks carrying freight on Iowa highways and interstates.
Investigators Say West Des Moines Couple Died in Murder-Suicide
(West Des Moines, IA) — Investigators believe a man and woman found in a West Des Moines home Wednesday morning died in a murder-suicide. Police identified the couple as 52-year-old Dana Fortugno and 59-year-old Justine Fortugno. Detectives have not revealed how they died or which one committed the murder. Officers doing a welfare check entered the house and found them both dead.
9-Year-Old Accidentally Shot in Storm Lake
(Storm Lake, IA) — Police in Storm Lake are investigating the accidental shooting of a nine-year-old. Officers found the child with a gunshot wound to the lower body Wednesday evening. Investigators say another child found the handgun and unintentionally fired it, striking the nine-year-old. The victim was taken to the Buena Vista Regional Medical center for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
