Iowa
I-80 crash cleanup continues after weekend pile-up in eastern Iowa
WEST BRANCH, Iowa (KCRG) – Cleanup crews are still working to remove vehicles from Interstate 80 in eastern Iowa following multiple crashes that blocked the highway for about 12 hours Saturday morning.
Multiple crashes on I-80 east of Iowa City Saturday morning shut down the interstate for several hours in both directions. No one was killed, but dozens of people were injured and taken to the hospital.
Lanes in the area will be closed in order to pull crashed cars out of the median.
“Towing and recovering efforts started right away after the storm, Sunday night after the storm and have continued each night since then and we’re estimating a couple, two to three more nights yet to get everything removed out there,” said Mitch Wood with the Iowa Department of Transportation.
DOT explains highway closure decision
The DOT did not expect conditions to be as bad as they were this weekend. Access to the highway was only limited after the crash happened.
“It started out with just a typical Iowa snowfall forecast. Nothing in that forecast, I guess, rose to that level of alarm for us to kind of forecast that we would have seen the traffic issues that we ended up seeing,” Wood said.
The DOT says preemptively closing the interstate can be done if unsafe travel can be predicted.
“What we could never really anticipate is the driving conditions changing rapidly and how drivers are going to respond to that,” Wood said.
Wood says shutting down an interstate is never a light decision.
“It’s not something that we necessarily want to do but when we make that decision, almost everytime we’re making that decision for safety reasons,” Wood said.
Cleanup of those accidents from Saturday are still underway. That typically happens in the evening, so drivers should watch for signs and lane closures when towing is happening.
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Iowa
Iowa lawmakers at a standstill over pipeline fight that could shape landowners’ rights
Iowa
3 key bills that survived the Iowa funnel deadline — and 2 that didn’t
The Iowa Legislature’s 2nd funnel deadline put an expiration date on dozens of bills that failed to advance far enough this session. Here’s a quick rundown:
What is Iowa’s legislative ‘funnel’ and how does it work? (2026)
What is Iowa’s legislative ‘funnel’ and how does it work? (2026)
The Iowa Legislature’s second funnel deadline has passed, closing the door on dozens of proposed bills.
The self-imposed deadline requires bills to have passed one chamber and be approved by a committee in the opposite chamber by March 20 or be relegated to the trash heap.
What Iowa bills missed the cut?
Among the casualties: bills that would have allowed community colleges to offer some four-year degrees and eliminated all school vaccination requirements.
What Iowa bills made the cut?
Other bills remain alive, including legislation restricting the governor’s emergency powers, allowing Iowans to buy ivermectin over the counter without a prescription and limiting tuition increases at Iowa’s public universities.
What big issues are hung up?
Republicans, who control the Iowa House and Senate, have yet to strike deals on two of the top issues of the legislative session: property tax relief and eminent domain restrictions.
“There are some heavy lifts obviously,” Senate Majority Leader Mike Klimesh, R-Spillville, told reporters. “Property taxes, eminent domain conversation, and budgeting.”
What was the fate of dozens of other Iowa bills?
If you’re looking for a more complete list of bills that lived and died, read our exhaustive roundup of education, health care, business, state government and law enforcement and courts legislation.
Portions of this article appeared in the Des Moines Register’s politics newsletter. Don’t miss out. Sign up here.
Marissa Payne covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. Reach her by email at mjpayne@registermedia.com. Follow her on X at @marissajpayne.
Iowa
Iowa Girls High School Basketball: Top Returning Juniors
We have officially closed the book on the 2025-26 Iowa girls high school basketball season with the crowning of state champions and individual all-state and player of the year awards being handed out by High School on SI.
Now, we take a sneak peek towards 2026-27 with a look at some of the top junior players in Iowa girls high school basketball. All numbers are from those listed on Bound.
Iowa Girls High School Basketball: Top Returning Juniors
Melina Snoozy, Sioux City Bishop Heelan
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Snoozy was dominant this past winter again, averaging 21.2 points to lead all juniors while adding eight rebounds, three assists and over two steals per game.
Kylee Pexa, Dunkerton
In addition to her 19 points a game, Pexa contributed almost five steals, five assists and 3.5 rebounds a game.
Ainley Ulrich, North Union
Ulrich nearly helped the Warriors reach the state tournament this past year after posting 20 points with five rebounds and 2.4 steals per game.
Izzy Gilbertson, Mount Ayr
At nearly 21 points and over nine rebounds per game, Gilbertson is a tough opponent to slow down. She also blocked four shots a night with 3.6 assists and 3.6 steals.
Maryn Franken, Sioux Center
Franken posted 20 points per game with nearly nine rebounds while also averaging six steals, three assists and a block to her stat line.
Taryn Petersen, Exira-EHK
Petersen was just a shade under 20 points per game for her team, adding in over six steals, five assists and four rebounds.
Cora Sauer, Lake Mills
Lake Mills went as Sauer did, reaching the regional final before falling to Bishop Garrigan. She contributed 19.7 points, six rebounds, almost four steals and just under four assists a game.
Lizzy Frazell, Waverly-Shell Rock
Frazell and the Go-Hawks continue to make a strong statement, as she finished the year averaging 19 points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks.
Addy Wolfswinkel, Cherokee Washington
Wolfswinkel recently committed to Omaha to play volleyball, but she is strong on the basketball court as well, averaging 19 points, six rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.5 steals.
Maggie McChesney, Glenwood
In addition to her 19.5 points per game, McChesney averaged eight rebounds, 3.5 steals, three assists and over a block.
KeaOnna Worley, Cedar Rapids Prairie
Watch out for a big senior season from Worley after producing 18 points, nearly five assists, over four rebounds and two steals.
Graclyn Eastman, Bishop Garrigan
Eastman and the Golden Bears reached the finals this past season in Class 1A, as she averaged 17 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks, three steals and two assists.
Katie Muller, Dowling Catholic
The Maroons will lean heavily on Muller next year, as she steps in for sister Ellie Muller. This past year, she averaged 16.5 points, six rebounds, 3.6 assists and a steal.
Fayth Sullivan, North Polk
Sullivan and the Comets made it back to state after she averaged 16 points, nine rebounds, three steals and three assists.
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