CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) – A Cedar Rapids man has been indicted on charges of a false Hepatitis B claim to FDA investigators. Luke Truesdell made his initial court appearance today and was released on bond. Authorities say he falsely told FDA investigators that a Hepatitis B carrier had bled into batches of a consumer product made by his former employer.

CENTERVILLE, Iowa (AP) – A fire has consumed one business in the Centerville town square and extensively damaged two others. Eyewitnesses said thick black smoke and flames could be seen 10 to 15 feet in the air after yesterday’s fire. The Centerville Fire Department sought help from six surrounding departments.

ST. LOUIS (AP) – Federal lawmakers from Iowa and other states along the Mississippi River are pressing to modernize the waterway’s system of locks and dams. They say upgrades are badly needed to handle barges that have gotten bigger over time. The busiest lock on the river — near St. Louis — was closed last week for emergency repairs.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – A judge has ordered a survey of jurors to determine if pretrial publicity has made them too biased to decide the drug and assault charges against the father of one of two missing Iowa girls. The results will determine whether Daniel Morrissey can receive a fair trial in Black Hawk County. Morrissey is the father of Lyric Cook, who disappeared with her cousin, Elizabeth Collins.