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Iowa Senate votes to require businesses use E-Verify to avoid hiring undocumented workers

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2 years ago

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Iowa Senate votes to require businesses use E-Verify to avoid hiring undocumented workers


Iowa businesses would be required to use the federal E-Verify system to determine whether their employees are legally in the country under a bill that passed the Iowa Senate Wednesday.

The Senate voted 30-17 Wednesday afternoon to pass Senate File 108, sending it to the Iowa House for consideration. All but one of the Republicans present voted in favor of the bill. Sen. Dan Zumbach, R-Ryan, voted with every Democrat to oppose it.

The Senate has passed a version of the bill in past years, but it has never been taken up by the Iowa House.

This year, the Senate’s vote comes as immigration is shaping up to be a major issue in the 2024 presidential race and in Congress.

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The U.S. Senate earlier this month failed to pass a bill that would have created a new mechanism to shut down the border if illegal crossings reached a certain threshold. And Congressional Republicans have indicated new border measures are a top priority for them.

Iowa lawmakers are considering several bills this year that proponents say would help deter illegal immigration but critics have described as anti-immigrant.

More: Migrant workers ask Iowa lawmakers to reject slate of immigration bills

Sen. Julian Garrett, R-Indianola, said the border is “probably the number one issue” he hears about.

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“There’s not a lot we can do here in Iowa at the state level, but this is something we can do,” he said. “And I think it will make a difference.”

Sen. Janice Weiner, D-Iowa City, said if Iowa lawmakers are concerned about the border they should contact their federal representatives and senators.

“Ask them to pass the bipartisan law on immigration reform and the border that was agreed to in Washington,” she said. “That’s the solution. It’s a federal issue.”

What would the Iowa E-Verify bill do?

It is already illegal under federal law to knowingly hire someone who is in the country illegally.

The Iowa bill would allow a county attorney, local law enforcement official or member of the public to file a complaint with Iowa Workforce Development if they suspect a company has violated the law.

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If a company is found to have violated the law by hiring an undocumented immigrant, the company would be required to terminate the employee and would be placed on a three-year probationary period during which it would be required to file quarterly reports with the state listing every new employee hired during that period.

A second offense would cause the company’s business license to be permanently revoked.

More: Iowa doesn’t require US citizenship for in-state tuition. A Republican bill would end that.

The Iowa Secretary of State’s office would be required to maintain a database of companies found to violate the law.

Employers could defend themselves in court by arguing that they did not knowingly employ an undocumented immigrant in violation of the law.

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Garrett said passing the bill would help level the playing field for businesses that already diligently check to ensure their employees are in the country legally.

“It’s very unfair to law-abiding legitimate businesses and employees to have to compete with people that are coming across the border, and you know they’re pouring across right now,” he said. “The Biden administration doesn’t seem inclined to do a thing about it.”

Business groups oppose the Iowa bill

Many of Iowa’s largest business groups are opposed to the law, including the Iowa Association of Business and Industry, Iowa Chamber Alliance, National Federation of Independent Businesses, Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce, Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, Master Builders of Iowa, Iowa Grocery Industry Association, Heavy Highway Contractors Association, and Agribusiness Association of Iowa.

Sen. Tony Bisignano, D-Des Moines, read off a list of business groups who oppose the bill during debate.

“Everybody opposes this,” he said. “And it’s not because they want to circumvent the law and use undocumented workers. It’s because in their professional operation, it doesn’t work.”

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Bisignano said the program would also harm potential employees who are wrongly flagged.

“What about the employee?” he said. “What about the applicant who they got his middle initial wrong or a letter in his name or a number on the Social Security and it’s red flagged? And how long are they unable to be employed?”

Garrett said thousands of Iowa businesses already use the E-Verify program voluntarily. Several other states require businesses to use the program.

“Right now more than 5,000 businesses in Iowa use E-Verify,” he said. “They don’t have to. It’s not required. Why would they do that if this is such a horrible program?”

Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on Twitter at @sgrubermiller.

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Iowa

Iowa Wrestling Results From Day Three Of NCAA Wrestling Championships – FloWrestling

Published

8 hours ago

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March 21, 2026

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Iowa Wrestling Results From Day Three Of NCAA Wrestling Championships – FloWrestling


As the sun shines on another day in Cleveland, Ohio, the final day of the 2026 NCAA D1 Wrestling Championships is in full force. With new national champions being crowned in just a few short hours, the medal matches have concluded. 

The Iowa Hawkeyes came to assert dominance and it definitely shown on the first two days of action from Cleveland. 

Following the medal matches, the Hawkeyes slot in fourth in the team standings with 92.5 total points. Ohio State trails behind with 84.5 points. 

The final matches from Ohio will start at approximately 6:30 PM ET/ 5:30 PM CT. Fans won’t want to miss any of the action so follow along to this article for all of the live updates.  

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Iowa Hawkeyes Day 3 Results

3rd Place: 

174lbs: 

  • Patrick Kennedy defeats Carson Kharchla, 9-6 by Dec. 

What Time Do The NCAA Wrestling Finals Start?

The finals for the 2026 NCAA Wrestling Championships start at 6:30 p.m. ET, and will be broadcast on ESPN. Stay tuned to FloWrestling for live updates and results. 

NCAA Wrestling Championships Finals Matchups

Finals

  • 125 lbs – (1) Luke Lilledahl (Penn State) vs. (10) Marc-Anthony McGowan (Princeton)
  • 133 lbs – (1) Jax Forrest (OK State) vs. (2) Ben Davino (Ohio State)
  • 141 lbs – (1) Jesse Mendez (Ohio State) vs. (2) Sergio Vega (OK State)
  • 149 lbs – (1) Shayne Van Ness (Penn State) vs. (10) Aden Valencia (Stanford)
  • 157 lbs – (5) Landon Robideau (OK State) vs. (2) Antrell Taylor (Nebraska)
  • 165 lbs – (1) Mitchell Mesenbrink (Penn State) vs. (3) Mikey Caliendo (Iowa)
  • 174 lbs – (1) Levi Haines (Penn State) vs. (3) Christopher Minto (Nebraska)
  • 184 lbs – (1) Rocco Welsh (Penn State) vs. (3) Max McEnelly (Minnesota)
  • 197 lbs – (1) Josh Barr (Penn State) vs. (7) Cody Merrill (OK State)
  • 285 lbs – (1) Yonger Bastida (Iowa State) vs. (2) Isaac Trumble (NC State)

NCAA Wrestling Championships Team Scores

Last updated 1:13 p.m. ET, March 21. 

  1. Penn State – 164.0
  2. OK State – 119.0
  3. Nebraska – 101.5
  4. Iowa – 92.5
  5. Ohio State – 84.5
  6. Michigan – 66.0
  7. Stanford – 63.5
  8. Iowa State – 52.0
  9. Minnesota – 44.5
  10. Virginia Tech – 41.5

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=videoseries

NCAA Wrestling Championships 2026 Final Placements

125 lbs

  1. TBD
  2. TBD
  3. Nico Provo (Stanford)
  4. Vincent Robinson (NC State)
  5. Troy Spratley (OK State)
  6. Jacob Moran (Indiana)
  7. Jore Volk (Minnesota)
  8. Tyler Klinsky (Rider)

133 lbs

  1. TBD
  2. TBD
  3. Aaron Seidel (Virginia Tech)
  4. Marcus Blaze (Penn State)
  5. Drake Ayala (Iowa)
  6. Tyler Knox (Stanford)
  7. Jacob Van Dee (Nebraska)
  8. Lucas Byrd (Illinois)

141 lbs

  1. TBD
  2. TBD
  3. Luke Stanich (Lehigh)
  4. Brock Hardy (Nebraska)
  5. Carter Nogle (Air Force)
  6. Anthony Echemendia (Iowa State)
  7. CJ Composto (Penn)
  8. Wyatt Henson (Lock Haven)

149 lbs

  1. TBD
  2. TBD
  3. Lachlan McNeil (Michigan)
  4. Chance Lamer (Nebraska)
  5. Collin Gaj (Virginia Tech)
  6. Ryder Block (Iowa)
  7. Cross Wasilewski (Penn)
  8. Casey Swiderski (OK State)

157 lbs

  1. TBD
  2. TBD
  3. PJ Duke (Penn State)
  4. Brandon Cannon (Ohio State)
  5. Kannon Webster (Illinois)
  6. Ty Watters (West Virginia)
  7. Cameron Catrabone (Michigan)
  8. Meyer Shapiro (Cornell)

165 lbs

  1. TBD
  2. TBD
  3. Cesar Alvan (Columbia)
  4. Nicco Ruiz (Arizona State)
  5. Andrew Sparks (Minnesota)
  6. Joey Blaze (Purdue)
  7. Bryce Hepner (North Carolina)
  8. Paddy Gallagher (Ohio State)

174 lbs

  1. TBD
  2. TBD
  3. Patrick Kennedy (Iowa)
  4. Carson Kharchla (Ohio State)
  5. Cam Steed (Missouri)
  6. Danny Wask (Navy)
  7. Beau Mantanona (Michigan)
  8. MJ Gaitan (Iowa State)

184 lbs

  1. TBD
  2. TBD
  3. Aeoden Sinclair (Missouri)
  4. Caleb Campos (American)
  5. Brock Mantanona (Michigan)
  6. Angelo Ferrari (Iowa)
  7. Eddie Neitenbach (Wyoming)x
  8. Zack Ryder (OK State)

197 lbs

  1. TBD
  2. TBD
  3. Stephen Little (Little Rock)
  4. Joey Novak (Wyoming)
  5. Camden McDanel (Nebraska)
  6. Angelo Posada (Stanford)
  7. Gabe Arnold (Iowa)
  8. Branson John (Maryland)

285 lbs

  1. TBD
  2. TBD
  3. Taye Ghadiali (Michigan)
  4. Konner Doucet (OK State)
  5. Ben Kueter (Iowa)
  6. AJ Ferrari (Nebraska)
  7. David Szuba (Arizona State)
  8. Christian Carroll (Wyoming)

Iowa Hawkeyes Day 2 Results

Semifinals:     

165lbs: 

  • No. 3 Mikey Caliendo walked away with a victory over No. 2 Joey Blaze, 8-5 by Dec SV. 

174lbs: 

  • No. 5 Patrick Kennedy suffers a loss to to No. 1 Levi Haines, 18-3 in TF.  

184lbs: 

  • No. 7 Angelo Ferrari is defeated by No. 3 Max McEnelly, 3-1 in TB-1.   

Quarterfinals: 

125lbs: 

  • No. 8 Dean Peterson defeats No. 9 Maximo Renteria, 4-1 in Dec. 

133lbs: 

  • No. 6 Drake Ayala takes down No. 11 Tyler Ferrara, 19-4 by TF.  

141lbs: 

  • No. 7 Nasir Bailey picks up a major win over No. 10 Jack Consiglio, 11-5 in Dec. 

149lbs: 

  • No. 15 Ryder Block suffers a loss to No. 2 Jaxon Joy, 10-3 in Dec.  

165lbs: 

  • No. 3 Mikey Caliendo walked away with a victory over No. 19 Noah Mulvaney. Caliendo wins with a TF, 20-5.

174lbs: 

  • No. 5 Patrick Kennedy takes down No. 12 Carter Shubert. Kennedy wins 2-1 in Dec. 

184lbs: 

  • No. 7 Angelo Ferrari takes down No. 10 Caleb Campos, 11-5 in Dec. 

285lbs: 

  •  No. 8 Ben Kueter takes down No. 9 Cole Mirasola in Dec, 4-0. 

NCAA Wrestling Championships Finals Matchups

Finals

  • 125 lbs – (1) Luke Lilledahl (Penn State) vs. (10) Marc-Anthony McGowan (Princeton)
  • 133 lbs – (1) Jax Forrest (OK State) vs. (2) Ben Davino (Ohio State)
  • 141 lbs – (1) Jesse Mendez (Ohio State) vs. (2) Sergio Vega (OK State)
  • 149 lbs – (1) Shayne Van Ness (Penn State) vs. (10) Aden Valencia (Stanford)
  • 157 lbs – (5) Landon Robideau (OK State) vs. (2) Antrell Taylor (Nebraska)
  • 165 lbs – (1) Mitchell Mesenbrink (Penn State) vs. (3) Mikey Caliendo (Iowa)
  • 174 lbs – (1) Levi Haines (Penn State) vs. (3) Christopher Minto (Nebraska)
  • 184 lbs – (1) Rocco Welsh (Penn State) vs. (3) Max McEnelly (Minnesota)
  • 197 lbs – (1) Josh Barr (Penn State) vs. (7) Cody Merrill (OK State)
  • 285 lbs – (1) Yonger Bastida (Iowa State) vs. (2) Isaac Trumble (NC State)

NCAA Wrestling Championships Team Scores

Last updated 11:45 p.m. ET, March 20. 

  1. Penn State – 153.0
  2. OK State – 111.5
  3. Nebraska – 90.5
  4. Iowa – 81.0
  5. Ohio State – 77.5
  6. Stanford – 58.0
  7. Iowa State – 52.0
  8. Michigan – 48.0
  9. Minnesota – 39.5
  10. NC State – 37.0

Iowa Hawkeyes Day 1 Results

Round of 16: 

125lbs: 

  • No. 8 Dean Peterson defeats No. 9 Maximo Renteria, 4-1 in Dec. 

133lbs: 

  • No. 6 Drake Ayala takes down No. 11 Tyler Ferrara, 19-4 by TF.  

141lbs: 

  • No. 7 Nasir Bailey picks up a major win over No. 10 Jack Consiglio, 11-5 in Dec. 

149lbs: 

  • No. 15 Ryder Block suffers a loss to No. 2 Jaxon Joy, 10-3 in Dec.  

165lbs: 

  • No. 3 Mikey Caliendo walked away with a victory over No. 19 Noah Mulvaney. Caliendo wins with a TF, 20-5.

174lbs: 

  • No. 5 Patrick Kennedy takes down No. 12 Carter Shubert. Kennedy wins 2-1 in Dec. 

184lbs: 

  • No. 7 Angelo Ferrari takes down No. 10 Caleb Campos, 11-5 in Dec. 

285lbs: 

  •  No. 8 Ben Kueter takes down No. 9 Cole Mirasola in Dec, 4-0. 

Round of 32: 

125lbs: 

  • No. 8 Peterson takes down No. 25 Kael Lauridsen, 9-1 in MD.

133lbs: 

  • No. 6 Ayala takes down No. 21 Marcel Lopez, 11-1 in MD.

141lbs: 

  • No. 7 Bailey defeats No. 26 Braden Basile, 14-3 in MD. 

149lbs: 

  • No. 15 Block takes down No. 18 Eugene Harney, 11-2 in MD.

165lbs: 

  • No. 3 Caliendo demolishes No. 30 Thomas Spines by Fall in 2:44. 

174lbs: 

  • No. 5 Kennedy takes down No.28 Holden Garcia by Dec, 8-2.

184lbs: 

  • No. 7 Ferrari takes a major win over No. 26 Chase Kranitz, 10-0 in MD.

197lbs: 

  • No. 27 Gabe Arnold suffers defeat against No. 6 Justin Rademacher in a 2-2 Dec.

285lbs: 

  • No. 8 Kueter takes down No. 25 Alex Semenenko, 2-0 in Dec. 

Iowa Wrestling At NCAA Wrestling Championships

  • 125 lbs – Dean Peterson (8)
  • 133 lbs – Drake Ayala (6)
  • 141 lbs – Nasir Bailey (7)
  • 149 lbs – Ryder Block (15)
  • 165 lbs – Mikey Caliendo (3)
  • 174 lbs – Patrick Kennedy (5)
  • 184 lbs – Angelo Ferrari (7)
  • 197 lbs – Gabe Arnold (27)
  • 285 lbs – Ben Kueter (8)

NCAA Wrestling Championships Brackets (Quarterfinals)

Quarterfinals

125 lbs

  • (1) Luke Lilledahl (Penn State) vs. (8) Dean Peterson (Iowa)
  • (5) Troy Spratley (OK State) vs. (4) Sheldon Seymour (Lehigh)
  • (14) Jacob Moran (Indiana) vs. (6) Jore Volk (Minnesota)
  • (10) Marc-Anthony McGowan (Princeton) vs. (2) Eddie Ventresca (Virginia Tech)

133 lbs

  • (1) Jax Forrest (OK State) vs. (8) Markel Baker (Northern Illinois)
  • (5) Kyler Larkin (Arizona State) vs. (4) Aaron Seidel (Virginia Tech)
  • (3) Marcus Blaze (Penn State) vs. (6) Drake Ayala (Iowa)
  • (7) Lucas Byrd (Illinois) vs. (2) Ben Davino (Ohio State)

141 lbs

  • (1) Jesse Mendez (Ohio State) vs. (8) Vance Vombaur (Minnesota)
  • (5) Luke Stanich (Lehigh) vs. (4) Anthony Echemendia (Iowa State)
  • (3) Brock Hardy (Nebraska) vs. (6) Vince Cornella (Cornell)
  • (7) Nasir Bailey (Iowa) vs. (2) Sergio Vega (OK State)

149 lbs

  • (1) Shayne Van Ness (Penn State) vs. (8) Casey Swiderski (OK State)
  • (12) Carter Young (Maryland) vs. (20) Chance Lamer (Nebraska)
  • (3) Cross Wasilewski (Penn) vs. (11) Lachlan McNeil (Michigan)
  • (10) Aden Valencia (Stanford) vs. (2) Jaxon Joy (Cornell)

157 lbs

  • (1) PJ Duke (Penn State) vs. (8) Brandon Cannon (Ohio State)
  • (5) Landon Robideau (OK State) vs. (4) Kaleb Larkin (Arizona State)
  • (3) Meyer Shapiro (Cornell) vs. (11) Ty Watters (West Virginia)
  • (7) Kannon Webster (Illinois) vs. (2) Antrell Taylor (Nebraska)

165 lbs

  • (1) Mitchell Mesenbrink (Penn State) vs. (9) Bryce Hepner (North Carolina)
  • (12) Cesar Alvan (Columbia) vs. (4) Nicco Ruiz (Arizona State)
  • (3) Mikey Caliendo (Iowa) vs. (27) EJ Parco (Stanford)
  • (10) Will Denny (NC State) vs. (2) Joey Blaze (Purdue)

174 lbs

  • (1) Levi Haines (Penn State) vs. (9) Beau Mantanona (Michigan)
  • (5) Patrick Kennedy (Iowa) vs. (4) Carson Kharchla (Ohio State)
  • (3) Christopher Minto (Nebraska) vs. (11) MJ Gaitan (Iowa State)
  • (7) Cam Steed (Missouri) vs. (15) Danny Wask (Navy)

184 lbs

  • (1) Rocco Welsh (Penn State) vs. (8) Silas Allred (Nebraska)
  • (5) Brock Mantanona (Michigan) vs. (20) Brian Soldano (Oklahoma)
  • (3) Max McEnelly (Minnesota) vs. (6) Eddie Neitenbach (Wyoming)
  • (7) Angelo Ferrari (Iowa) vs. (2) Aeoden Sinclair (Missouri)

197 lbs

  • (1) Josh Barr (Penn State) vs. (9) Angelo Posada (Stanford)
  • (5) Joey Novak (Wyoming) vs. (4) Colton Hawks (Arizona State)
  • (3) Stephen Little (Little Rock) vs. (11) Camden McDanel (Nebraska)
  • (7) Cody Merrill (OK State) vs. (15) Remy Cotton (Rutgers)

285 lbs

  • (1) Yonger Bastida (Iowa State) vs. (8) Ben Kueter (Iowa)
  • (21) Juan Mora (Oklahoma) vs. (4) AJ Ferrari (Nebraska)
  • (3) Taye Ghadiali (Michigan) vs. (27) Hunter Catka (Rutgers)
  • (7) Konner Doucet (OK State) vs. (2) Isaac Trumble (NC State)

NCAA Wrestling Championships TV Schedule 2026

Thursday, March 19

  • 12:00 p.m. ET: Session I (First Round) – ESPN2
  • 7:00 p.m. ET: Session II (Second Round, Consolation Matches) – ESPN

Friday, March 20

  • 12:00 p.m. ET: Session III (Quarterfinals, Consolation Matches) – ESPNU
  • 8:00 p.m. ET: Session IV (Semifinals, Consolation Matches) – ESPN2

Saturday, March 21

  • 11:00 a.m. ET: Session V (Medal Matches) – ESPNU
  • 6:30 p.m. ET: Session VI (Finals) – ESPN

NCAA Wrestling Championships Team Scores

Last updated 10:41 p.m. ET, March 19. 

  • 1. Penn State – 40.5  
  • 2. Nebraska – 27.0  
  • 3. Iowa – 25.0  
  • 3. OK State – 25.0  
  • 5. Ohio State – 23.0  
  • 6. Iowa State – 21.5  
  • 7. Arizona State – 17.0  
  • 8. Stanford – 15.0  
  • 9. Cornell – 14.0  
  • 9. Michigan – 14.0  
  • 9. Virginia Tech – 14.0  
  • 12. Minnesota – 12.5  

How To Watch NCAA Wrestling Championships 2026

  • The 2026 NCAA Wrestling Championships will be broadcast across ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU from March 19-21 in Cleveland. 
  • Every match will also be streamed on ESPN+, including concurrent mat coverage.

Where To Watch The NCAA Wrestling Championships 2026?

The 2026 NCAA Wrestling Championships will be broadcast March 19, 20 and 21 across ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU. Every match will also be streamed live on ESPN+, including concurrent mat coverage.

When Is NCAA Wrestling Championships 2026

The 2026 NCAA Wrestling Championships begin March 19 and run through March 21 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.

What Time Does The NCAA Wrestling Tournament Start?

On March 19, the NCAA Wrestling Championships begin at 12:00 p.m. ET with Session II starting at 7:00 p.m. ET.

NCAA Wrestling Today

Today, March 19, is the beginning of the 2026 NCAA Wrestling Championships. Session I starts at 12:00 p.m. ET. The tournament runs through March 21. Stay tuned for results and live updates.

Trackwrestling Has Joined The New FloWrestling

Trackwrestling has officially merged with FloWrestling, bringing its powerful tournament tracking tools and live data into a modern, all-in-one platform. 

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Fans can follow every bout with pro-grade brackets, mat schedules, team rosters and detailed wrestler profiles—all seamlessly integrated within FloWrestling.

This move delivers a faster, smarter and more connected experience for the wrestling community. Through the updated FloSports app, users can track live results, explore brackets and even sign up for free alerts so they never miss a match.

FloWrestling Archived Footage

Video footage from all events on FloWrestling will be archived and stored in a video library for FloWrestling subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscriptions.

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Iowa DOT to close Hickman Road for 5 nights as I-80/35 work continues

Published

20 hours ago

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March 21, 2026

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Iowa DOT to close Hickman Road for 5 nights as I-80/35 work continues


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The next phase of the Hickman Road interchange project is getting underway, and it will include more overnight road closures.

Construction crews will be demolishing the Interstates 80 and 35 bridges over the U.S. Highway 6/Hickman Road interchange, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation.

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Here’s what to know.

When will the Iowa DOT close Hickman Road at I-80/35?

Hickman Road will be closed to traffic over the interstate starting Sunday, March 22, through Thursday, March 26. The road will close at 9 p.m. each night and reopen at 5 a.m. the next morning.

During construction, a single lane of I-80/35 will be closed in each direction.

The ramps at U.S. 6/Hickman Road will remain open to traffic during the roadway closures.

What’s the detour when the Iowa DOT closes Hickman Road?

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Eastbound drivers on Hickman Road will need to head south on NW 128th Street, east on University Avenue and north on NW 114th Street to return to Hickman Road.

Westbound drivers will head south on NW 114th Street, west on University Avenue and north on NW 128th Street to return to Hickman Road.

Lucia Cheng is a service and trending reporter at the Des Moines Register. Contact her at lcheng@gannett.com or 515-284-8132.



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Kentucky vs. Iowa State set as Joshua Jefferson injury lingers: Early odds set

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1 day ago

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March 20, 2026

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Kentucky vs. Iowa State set as Joshua Jefferson injury lingers: Early odds set


It’s official: No. 7 Kentucky Basketball will face No. 2 Iowa State in the Round of 32 on Sunday after surviving an overtime thriller against Santa Clara, while the Cyclones cruised past Tennessee State 104-78 in the first round.

While the win was a big one for Iowa State, they did receive some bad news with All-American forward Joshua Jefferson. During the game, Jefferson, a 6-foot-9 senior from Las Vegas, injured his left ankle in the opening minutes. The 240-pound forward had to be helped off the court and later returned on crutches, wearing a boot on his left ankle.

Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger said X-rays on Jefferson were negative, confirming he has a sprained ankle, but his status for Sunday’s game against Kentucky is still unknown.

Jefferson has averaged 16.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game. He earned Second-Team AP All-American honors and was a standout in the Big 12 Tournament, helping Iowa State defeat Arizona State and Texas Tech before falling to eventual champion Arizona on a buzzer-beater.

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Despite the injury, Iowa State remains a team you don’t want to face. The Cyclones are known for their defense but can also score in bunches. While Jefferson’s availability is uncertain, Kentucky knows it will be facing a talented and deep roster regardless.

The early odds suggest as much, as Iowa State opened as a 5.5-point favorite, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. The line would very likely be even bigger if Jefferson were playing for sure, so this line could indicate that oddsmakers don’t think the star forward will play.

The line has since moved down to 4.5 points. The over/under is 145.5 points, as oddsmakers see this as a low-scoring defensive game.

Jefferson’s status could be the story of the game, but Kentucky will still need an A+ effort to take down a great Cyclones team.



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