(Radio Iowa) –  For the fourth time in her record-setting career, Iowa-born astronaut Peggy Whitson is now onboard the International Space Station, this time as the first female commander of a private space mission. During a question-and-answer session with Texas elementary schoolers, Whitson urged the students to challenge themselves to do things they don’t know how to do, saying, “if you fail at something, you learn something from it and you’ll be better the next time.”

The 63-year-old from Beaconsfield talked with the kids about the wide array of scientific experiments they’re conducting, as well as changes she’s noticing about the orbiting station, and how easy it is to adapt to microgravity.

Prior to this mission, Whitson held the record for spending a total of 665 days in space, more than any other U.S. astronaut, and she’s adding to the total on this 12-day trip. She and her three crewmates are scheduled to return home next week.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds has signed a bill into law that will let teenagers work longer hours in Iowa and be paid to work in some jobs that are off limits to minors today.  “Honestly, it helps fill a need and it allows kids to earn a little bit of extra money,” Reynolds says, “maybe start saving for college or to buy that first vehicle.” Reynolds made her comments during a recent appearance on Iowa Press on Iowa P-B-S.

The law, which takes effect July 1st, will let 14 and 15 year olds work later at night. Sixteen and 17 year olds will be able to serve alcohol in a restaurant, if their parent gives permission. Teenagers are still barred from logging, mining and other dangerous work, like on the slaughter line in a meatpacking plant. But if they’re supervised by an adult at an approved work site, teens will be able to do light assembly work, use power tools and work in industrial laundries and meat freezers.

“Really common sense, practical things are included in that bill,” Reynolds says. Critics say Reynolds and Republican lawmakers are trying to solve the state’s workforce shortage with child labor and they say some parts of the law will conflict with federal regulations. House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst says letting 14 and 15 year olds work six hours a day — until 9 p.m. during the school year — is the wrong move.  “We need to be protecting kids from those extra work hours because school should be a priority,” Konfrst says, “and there’s not a lot of protection in there for that.”

One element of the new law calls for a study of whether teenagers should be allowed to drive to and from work. Teenagers can get school permits now to drive to and from school and school activities. The bill originally called for letting minors with a driving permit commute to work as well. The governor backs that change. “They’re kids. They get distracted and so that’s why I think the study is probably a good idea,” Reynolds says. “…Cell phones have kind of brought a new element into that, so we just have to be really careful.”

The new law removes the requirement that businesses have to get a state permit to hire minors.

(Eldora, Iowa) – Authorities in north central Iowa are asking for the public’s help in locating a man suspected of committing a homicide, Friday. First responders were called to the 1400 block of 17th Avenue in Eldora at around 5:45-a.m., Friday, for a report of an unresponsive person. When they arrived, a woman was found dead inside the residence. Officials have not released her identity.

Authorities are searching for 28-year-old Nathan Cole Bahr, in connection with the crime. Police say Bahr – who is white, 5-feet 9-inches tall, has blue eyes and brown hair – may be traveling in a 2020 gray Toyota. Initially it was thought the vehicle’s Iowa blackout license plate read EMRGLL, but on Sunday, authorities said it may possibly have been changed to KHA-681. Nathan Bahr is considered to be armed and dangerous. Do not approach him if you spot Bahr or the vehicle. Contact your local law enforcement or call 9-1-1.

Nathan Cole Bahr & the vehicle he is thought to be driving.

If you have any information on his whereabouts, you are asked to call police. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is assisting in the investigation.