Midwest
Archaeologists unearth 13,000-year-old mastodon skull in Iowa
Archaeologists in Iowa have unearthed an ancient mastodon skull in pristine condition, which they hope will provide clues about human interaction with the ancient animal.
The bones were excavated earlier this month from a creek bank in Wayne, taking nearly two weeks to complete. The eroding site was first brought to the attention of Office of the State Archaeologist, Iowa (OSA) in 2022.
The excavation took nearly two weeks to complete. (Office of the State Archaeologist, Iowa)
EXCAVATIONS IN EGYPT UNEARTH TROVE OF ANCIENT ARTIFACTS FROM ITS FINAL DYNASTIES
Radiocarbon dating showed that the mastodon is around 13,600 years old, which corresponds to when humans occupied the area.
OSA will closely examine the bones to determine if there is any evidence of human activity, like cut marks.
The eroding creek was first brought to archaeologists’ attention in 2022. (Office of the State Archaeologist, Iowa)
“We’re really hoping to find evidence of human interaction with this creature – perhaps the projectile points and knives that were used to kill the animal and do initial butchering,” said John Doershuk, director and state archaeologist at OSA. “There’s also potential evidence on the bones themselves – there could be identifiable cut marks.”
Radiocarbon dating showed the remains to be around 13,600 years old. (Office of the State Archaeologist, Iowa)
Mastodons were large mammals similar to elephants that roamed North America from around 3.5 million years ago to around 10,500 years ago.
Iowa Archeology said the mastodon skull was the “first-ever well-preserved mastodon (primarily the skull) that has been excavated in Iowa.”
Archaeologists said the bones were in excellent condition. (Office of the State Archaeologist, Iowa)
The mastodon bones will become part of a new exhibit at the Prairie Trails Museum once conservation and analysis is complete at the University of Iowa.
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Michigan
3 dead after vehicle collides with semitruck on Interstate 94 in Wayne County, Michigan State Police say
Three people are dead after a vehicle hit the back of a semitruck on Interstate 94 in Southeast Michigan late Friday, state officials said.
The Michigan State Police responded to the crash on eastbound I-94 near Michigan Avenue in Wayne County around 11:44 p.m. Investigators said the semitruck was stopped in traffic due to flooding when it was struck by the vehicle.
Three passengers in the vehicle that crashed into the semi died at the scene, according to the state law enforcement agency, and the driver was taken into custody.
The ages of the individuals involved in the collision have not yet been disclosed by officials.
As of Saturday afternoon, the investigation into the incident is ongoing.
MONTEVIDEO
— One of two suspects charged for their alleged roles in a Sept. 24, 2025, drive-by shooting in Montevideo has entered a guilty plea.
David Michael Pillatzki, 28, of Willmar, entered a petition Thursday, July 2, in Chippewa County District Court to plead guilty to a charge of aiding and abetting a drive-by shooting, which will be reduced from the original felony to a gross misdemeanor as part of a plea agreement.
Contributed
The agreement also calls for Pillatzki to cooperate in the prosecution against the other man charged in the incident.
The criminal complaint against Pillatzki alleges that he was a passenger in a vehicle from which shots were fired at a residence on the 400 block of South Third Street shortly after 8 p.m. Sept. 24. There were two occupants in the residence. Neither was injured.
Pillatzki was upset that his Ford Bronco had been shot on or about May 3, 2025, in Willmar, according to the complaint.
Contributed/ Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office
The man suspected of firing the shots, Albert Vaniler Hughes, 27, of Montevideo, was charged in March after the results of laboratory analysis by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension were received.
DNA and ballistic evidence link Hughes to the gun used in the shooting, according to the complaint filed against him.
He has pleaded not guilty to felony charges of drive-by shooting, intentional discharge of a firearm, and reckless discharge of a firearm.
The District Court recently assigned his case to a different judge, and a new court date has not been scheduled.
Missouri
KCFD: 1 adult, 1 child, a dog displaced after a house fire in the 3800 block of Myrtle Avenue
KANSAS CITY, Mo — The Kansas City, Missouri, Fire Department is investigating a house fire that displaced one adult, one child and a dog early Saturday morning.
KCFD companies were dispatched around 3:08 a.m. Saturday to a reported fire in the 3800 block of Myrtle Avenue.
When they got there, crews found heavy fire coming from a two-story vacant home, with flames extending into a neighboring house.
KCFD
The original home where the fire stemmed from ended up collapsing on itself. The flames were extinguished and brought under control around 3:48 a.m.
City Planning and Dangerous Buildings was requested to the scene.
No injuries have been reported from this incident. Red Cross was called to help assist the adult, child and dog.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by KCFD.
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