The man charged with a double murder near Ewing, Nebraska makes his initial court appearance. Thirty-three-year old Matthew Hinrichsen of Ewing is accused of shooting his ex-girlfriend and another man to death early Saturday then setting their mobile home on fire. The bodies of 25-year-old Victoria Lee and 30-year-old Gabino Vargas were found in the burned-out trailer. Hinrichsen is being held without bond. The Nebraska Attorney General's office is helping to prosecute the case.
The murders of two northeast Iowa girls is renewing calls for the state to reinstate the death penalty, but lawmakers say it's unlikely to happen. Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal has indicated he will not bring such a measure to the floor for a vote. Iowa did away with capital punishment in 1965.
Some Siouxland lawmakers are trying to save Iowa's Targeted Jobs program, which is set to expire in six months. Under the program, business get a tax break when they create at least ten jobs or make a capital investment of a half-million dollars. It's aimed at helping border cities attract companies that might otherwise locate in another state. Sioux City leaders say that over the past decade, the program has netted $21 million in tax credits for 32 local projects.
The Morningside Mustangs are in Rome, Georgia, preparing for the NAIA football championship. They'll try to stay undefeated when they take on Marian of Indiana in the title game Thursday. The two teams spent most of yesterday visiting schools as part of the NAIA's "Character of Champions" program. Tuesday night, the two teams were together for a pre-game news conference. Earlier, the Mustangs had a two-hour practice.
