Two men are in custody after three people were shot early Sunday morning in downtown Iowa City — about half an hour before closing time at bars in the area. Iowa City police say none of the victims or the two men charged in connection with the shootings are University of Iowa students. Officials sent out a tweet Sunday morning to make that announcement after being flooded with calls from the parents of students.

Authorities say the shootings were the result of on-going conflicts between two groups of people from Iowa City and Cedar Rapids. Officials would not identify the groups as gangs, but indicated members of these groups are well-known to police in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids.

The three shooting victims range in age from 22 to 27 and one of them was initially listed in critical condition by authorities. A 23-year-old Iowa City man has been charged with attempted murder and intimidation with a dangerous weapon. A 21-year-old from Cedar Rapids has been charged with trafficking in stolen weapons and interference with official acts and public intoxication.

(Radio Iowa)

Five women were inducted into the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame on Saturday, which was the 97th anniversary of the day women gained the right to vote. Iowa’s first female governor, the first woman from Iowa elected to the U.S. Senate and a woman who’s served on the Des Moines City Council for nearly 24 years were among those honored. Phyllis Peters of Ames, the chairwoman of the Iowa Commission on the Status of Women, described the group as role models. “Role models matter today more than ever because young boys and girls are watching and listening,” Peters said.

Governor Kim Reynolds used her acceptance speech to urge women to feel “empowered” to be “fearless, influential and forward-thinking.” “Change often is driven by girls and women who don’t stop until they get things done,” Reynolds said.

Reynolds spoke of young women she’s met who are “competitive, confident and defying stereotypes,” then a murmur went through the crowd when Reynolds spoke of one of her goals as governor. “Becoming Iowa’s first female governor was both humbling and exciting,” Reynolds says. “…However, it is my responsibility and it is my challenge to do my best to give the historians an opportunity to write much more than: ‘She was Iowa’s first female governor.'”

Iowa Senator Joni Ernst began her speech at Saturday’s event by honoring her mother. “Growing up on a farm in rural southwest Iowa, my mother always taught me and my siblings that with hard work, the sky was the limit when it came to the difference we could make in our community and even around our world,” Ernst said. Ernst emphasized the work she’s doing with women in the senate who come from both political parties. “I have found that often women are able to put politics aside, have an open and frank conversation and work together to find the best path forward,” Ernst said.

Christine Hensley, a member of the Des Moines City Council, was also honored Saturday. She spoke about the transformation of the capitol city’s central business district. “We have 40 huge projects in the pipeline for downtown still continuing to move forward,” Hensley said. “Nationally, we have become a model for downtown renaissance.”

The late Jane Boyd, a legendary teacher and social worker in Cedar Rapids, was also inducted into the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame Saturday. The Iowa Commission on the Status of Women occasionally awards a “Medal for Equality and Justice” — and the co-founder of the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa was honored with it Saturday as well.

Alicia Claypool is also the former chair of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission and she helped found Iowa Safe Schools, a group that supports students who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. Claypool turned to Senator Ernst, who was seated on stage, and thanked Ernst for saying in July that if transgender soldiers can meet training standards and are willing to defend the country, they should be allowed to serve. “We hope that you will continue to fight to make sure that transgender service people can serve the country that they love. There is no room for prejudice in our armed services,” Claypool said.

Claypool didn’t shy away from other political hot topics. Claypool denounced the defunding of Planned Parenthood, the privatization of the state-run Medicaid program and the “demonization” of minorities. “There is much to do. Here are a few suggestions,” Claypool said. “Volunteer for a group whose work is meaingful to you. Volunteer for a campaign. Seek appointment to state boards and commissions. Better yet, run for political office.”

About a dozen protesters who oppose efforts to defund Planned Parenthood gathered outside the event to criticize sponsors for including Reynolds and Ernst in the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:00 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — In vast stretches of the Plains and Northwest known for wheat production, fewer farmers are growing wheat. They’re responding to low wheat prices and changing consumer tastes for high protein foods like hummus, pasta and energy bars, which are increasing demand for alternative crops such as garbanzo beans and lentils. This year, farmers planted the fewest acres of wheat since the U.S. Department of Agriculture began keeping records nearly a century ago.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa is having trouble hiring enough registered nurses to treat inmates at state prisons, so it’s turning to workers with fewer credentials to fill a gap created in part by more competitive benefits in the private sector. Some unions representing Iowa nurses argue the staffing shortage will only worsen as the effects of recent changes to the state’s collective bargaining law begin to set in, though the Iowa Department of Corrections says it’s too early to know its impact on hiring.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Des Moines police say a man has died from the severe burns he received in a vehicle fire, and investigators are treating the case as a homicide. Firefighters responded Friday afternoon to a fire and found two vehicles aflame. Crews also found a man severely burned. The man died of his injuries Sunday. Police are withholding his name until his relatives can be notified. Investigators have determined the fire was intentionally set and consider the death a homicide.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Thousands of people pass through the State Historical Museum of Iowa’s Civil War exhibit, but visitors usually don’t see the 34 Confederate battle flags tucked away in the museum’s underground vault. Communications manager Michael Morain tells the Des Moines Register that the flags are not on display because they are not central to the history of Iowans on display in the exhibit.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Des Moines police say a man has died from the severe burns he received in a vehicle fire, and investigators are treating the case as a homicide.

Firefighters responded Friday afternoon to a fire in northeast Des Moines and found two vehicles aflame. Crews also found a man severely burned, and he was taken to a local hospital and then moved to a burn unit at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

The man died of his injuries Sunday. Police are withholding his name until his relatives can be notified. Investigators have determined the fire was intentionally set and consider the death a homicide. It’s the 23rd homicide in Des Moines this year.

A woman from Cass County who served in the Marine Corps during World War II, was honored Sunday during a “Meet and Greet” at the Armory in Atlantic, on the day after her 100th Birthday, Elleen Wheatley was warmly celebrated and greeted by friends, family and former active members of the military, during the event.  Wheatley is the oldest living female Marine in Iowa.

Photo courtesy Brian Rink.

Brian Rink, a fellow Marine, read a letter from the man who serves as the 18th Sgt. Major of the Corps, to Corporal Wheatley:

“The Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, 26 August, 2017. Dear Corporal Elleen Wheatley, I am pleased to convey my warmest congratulations on the occasion of your 100th birthday. You supported the efforts of our nation prior to enlisting in the Corps, by working at a munitions plant in Ankeny, Iowa, at the time your family was already serving in the cause of our nation. With a twin brother and a husband serving in the Army, you paved the way for all Marines, and you should be proud of all your accomplishments.

You answered the nation’s call with courage and devotion to duty. The spirit and fortitude you and your fellow Marines demonstrated, played a key role in shaping the heritage of our Corps.      The Marines serving throughout the world today, take great pride in carrying on the illustrious legacy of valor, discipline and steadfast fidelity that you helped forge. We’re proud to follow in your footsteps.    

Again, thank you for your service to our country and Corps, and Happy Birthday, Marine! Semper Fidelis. (Signed) Ronald L. Green, 18th Sgt. Major of the Marine Corps.” The statement was followed by a raucous “Oooh Rah!”

Wheatley joined the military when she was 25, just two weeks after she was married. She worked in the Quarter Masters, in transportation, during her time of service from July 8, 1943 to Nov. 10th, 1945.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Public Information Board recently met in secret to discuss an accidental fatal shooting by a Burlington police officer. The Des Moines Register objected to the board’s decision to take action Friday based on the secret meeting. The board declined to say what action it took.

Board member Rick Morain says he understands the newspaper’s frustrations, but he supports the action because he took part in the private discussion. The board met Friday to review the 2015 accidental fatal shooting of Autumn Steele. She was shot in front of her toddler by a Burlington policeman.

Steele’s family and the Burlington Hawk Eye want state officials to release a 12-second police video that includes the shooting.

(8/28 – Clarifies rates on burials and inurnments. Previous information was not correct)

The City of Atlantic’s Personnel and Finance Committee will discuss matters pertaining to the solvency of the Atlantic Cemetery, Monday. The meeting takes place in the City Council’s Chambers at City Hall, beginning at 5:30-p.m.

In his report to the Committee and Council, City Administrator John Lund stated “The Atlantic Cemetery Association is rapidly approaching financial insolvency…due to a seven-year trend of revenues not meeting expectations.” In order to resolve the immediate cash flow issue, Lund says a letter must be written to the Iowa Insurance Commissioner requesting he use his authority under Iowa Code (5231.811A), to allow for the release of funds from the Perpetual Care Trust (as determined by the Board and Treasurer), reflecting long-term planning goals.

The Atlantic Cemetery Association has previously taken the recommendation to raise casket interment and burial rates and put them into effect on April 1^st.  The casket interment rate was raised to $825 and the burial rate was raised to $1,250 effective April 1^st by the cemetery association.

The only other options for increasing revenue, he says, are taking out a loan and decreasing expenditures. Lund says a loan would not solve the long-term problem, and a quick infusion of cash from the Perpetual Trust Fund will only buy the Cemetery Association a little more time to continue honoring its obligations.

Lund says expenditures have exceeded revenue for the past three years, with the largest loss ($26,774) coming in 2016. The majority of expenditures are in the form of: Payroll; Capital Equipment purchases; Supplies and Repair for the equipment, all of which are necessary for maintaining the cemetery grounds, and arranging for burials. Methods of offsetting those costs could include reducing payroll as much as possible, and contracting with local businesses to manage all burials, openings and closures.

In other business, the Personnel & Finance Committee will discuss: The disposition of a structure at 204 E. 6th Street; A policy on replacing certain signage within  the City Limits; A request from the Street Dept. to purchase additional equipment with available funds; and Construction Fees and Easements with regard to the Ash Street Development Project. The Committee will also hear about a major donation to the Animal Shelter, and receive an update on the purchase of land from a revocable trust.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The State Historical Museum of Iowa in Des Moines has seen thousands of people pass through its “Iowa and the Civil War” exhibit. What those visitors haven’t seen are the 34 Confederate battle flags tucked away in the museum’s underground vault.

Michael Morain, of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, tells The Des Moines Register the flags are not on display because they are not central to the history of Iowans on display in the exhibit. Iowa fought for the Union in the war, and more than 76,000 Iowans were in the Union Army.

Other Confederate-related items, such as a spy’s pistol, a bugle, cannon supplies, spurs and a sword, are on display in the exhibit. The dozens of Confederate battle flags typically are only displayed during vault tours.

(Dubuque) – Officials with the Iowa Dept. of Corrections said Sunday morning, that 38-year old Melvin Frank Bogus, who was convicted of robbery 2nd degree in Dubuque County, failed to report back to Dubuque Residential Facility as required.

Bogus is a Black male, height 5’6 and weighing 236 pounds.  He was admitted to the work release facility on July 12, 2017. Persons with information on Bogus’s whereabout should contact the local police.    

Republican Congressman Steve King says President Trump’s recent remarks about the North American Free Trade Agreement may be a negotiating tactic. Trump said this past Tuesday that he doubts negotiations with Mexico and Canada will succeed and he will “probably” terminate NAFTA.

“I think the president’s got a negotiating maneuver here when he said he may just cancel it,” King says. “But, in the end, I think that may just be a piece of leverage that gets us a little better deal.” During the 2016 campaign, Trump routinely called NAFTA the worst trade deal in American history. This past Tuesday, Trump said he didn’t think the U.S. can strike a deal with Canada and Mexico “because we have been so badly taken advantage of.” King says it’s remarkable the two countries agreed to re-negotiate terms of the deal.

“I thought that Mexico and Canada would say: ‘We have a treaty. Let’s keep it. We don’t want to talk,'” King says. “I was surprised they would agree to begin those negotiations, but they did and that tells you something about the power of the United States not only in this continent, but in the hemisphere and in the world.” Officials from Canada and Mexico met with U.S. officials in Washington, D.C. last week. The next round of negotiations are scheduled to start in September 1st in Mexico City. King says the “door is open” to a “reasonable renegotiation” of NAFTA.

“My counsel to the president is: ‘If you can help agriculture, help agriculture. Don’t hurt it. If you can help our manufacturing, help us. Don’t hurt us,'” King says. “But on balance, NAFTA has been good for the state of Iowa. It’s been good for agriculture. It’s been good for our manufacturing industries that we have here and much of the manufacturing industry in the country.” But King says some segments of the economy have been hit by the trade deal, particularly in southern states. NAFTA has been in place since 1994.

(Radio Iowa)