WASHINGTON, Iowa (AP) — Jurors have convicted a former Iowa public official of second-degree murder for shooting his girlfriend while she was riding a lawn mower behind their home. The jury returned its verdict yesterday in the case of Thomas Lee Hansen after a weeklong trial. Hansen acknowledged that he shot and killed 54-year-old Sharon Gerot on May 1, 2011, outside their home in Riverside, but says he didn’t aim at Gerot.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — The Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office says an anonymous donor is offering to add up to $100,000 to a reward for information leading to the return of two missing cousins and the arrest and conviction of those responsible for their disappearance. In a statement released last night, Captain Rick Abben expressed hope the donation would aid in the return of Lyric Cook and Elizabeth Collins. The girls disappeared on July 13th.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A shaggy brown sheep successfully dodged police, his handlers and a few cars while trotting through downtown Des Moines after escaping from his trailer. But the ram’s freedom only lasted about an hour yesterday before he was cornered and tackled by about a half dozen of his pursuers not far from the state capitol.

RENO, Nev. (AP) — Richard Carter scored 16 points, leading five Drake players in double-figures, as the Bulldogs beat Nevada 76-66 last night in Reno. Carter, who was 6 of 12 from the field, also led the team in rebounds with seven.