* Update from the Sioux City Police Department
Sioux City Police have detained two juveniles after an incident at North Middle School this afternoon.
The school district issued a lockout for all elementary schools for a short time. A message to parents that was sent out at 3:05 p.m. says the situation started when a sixth-grade PE class was walking outside just before school was dismissed.
“A car drove by and shot what we believe was an airsoft gun at the director of the class. A couple of students were hit and fortunately do not have any physical injuries.”
Thirteen minutes later, another message came out saying the individuals involved in the situation at North Middle School were in police custody, and the lockout was lifted.
The Sioux City Police Department tells Siouxland Public Media that officers are working closely with the school district to thoroughly investigate this incident and address any security concerns.
A police spokesperson says the students were walking back from the track at North High, and as the group approached Buckwalter Drive between the two schools, a car drove by and discharged an airsoft gun at the kids. Some were hit by airsoft bb’s and received very minor injuries. More information will be released as the investigation progresses.
The skateboarder critically injured in a collision on September 1st has died. An update Monday from Sioux City Police says the teen remained on life support so his organs could be donated. The police department says they will not be releasing the teen’s name since the victim is a minor. An investigation into the crash near Lewis Boulevard and Glenn Avenue is ongoing. The driver of the vehicle involved in the incident says since it was dark, they could not see the skateboarder until it was too late. The crash happened around 5 in the morning.
Nebraska's top elections official has confirmed that proposals requiring an ID to vote and to raise the state's minimum wage to $15 an hour will appear on the November ballot. The Nebraska Secretary of State office has verified enough signatures by both campaigns to place the issues before voters in the general election. The pay measure would ratchet up the minimum wage to $15 hourly by 2026. The first incremental increase would bump it to $10.50 an hour in January 2023. The voter ID proposal would enshrine in the state constitution a requirement to show a government-issued photo identification to vote in Nebraska.
Today, Governor Pete Ricketts announced that he will host town halls in Ogallala and Alliance on Tuesday, September 20th. At the town halls, Gov. Ricketts will discuss how the State is expanding broadband internet access and give an update on projects to protect and strengthen Nebraska’s water resources.
The USDA has made changes to allow farmers to plant and harvest two crops on the same piece of land. Essentially, allowing for two-cash crops, according to a story by KCCI Television in Des Moines.
Having a second crop is usually not covered by crop insurance in order to protect soil and water qualities. But the USDA made the changes to prevent a potential food shortage as Russia continues its attack on Ukraine. According to the USDA, Ukraine was projected to produce 63.7 million tons of grain before the invasion. It’s unclear how many farmers are already relay cropping.
The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission is planning a study of the state’s horse racing industry.
Racing and Gaming Administrator Brian Ohorilko says the idea came after the Commission had discussions with administrators in the thoroughbred industry, quarter horse industry, and Prairie Meadows Racetrack in Des Moines.
It could up to a year for the study to be completed, according to a report by Radio Iowa.
An Iowa State University Sociology professor finds a pandemic-related link between the increase in drinking among women. For more on the story from Radio Iowa, click here.
The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics is ending its Eating Disorder Program’s inpatient care this fall. The program has provided intensive residential treatment for individuals sixteen and older managing an eating disorder. But the hospital system says it’s redistributing funding to take on the growing numbers of Iowans with acute mental health care needs.