(Radio Iowa) – Students in k-through 12 classes and at the college level had to deal with a lot of changes in their routine this past year following the COVID-19 outbreak. Iowa State University president, Wendy Wintersteen, says they adjusted on the fly.

She says the actions they took appeared to have stopped the spread of the virus.

Wintersteen says it was evident that the students would rather be together on campus in Ames instead of taking classes online.

She says they will take what they learned and use it in the spring semester.

I-S-U’s Spring session begins on January 25th.

(Radio Iowa) – As a crossroads for three major interstates, authorities say Iowa is a critical trouble spot for human trafficking — and problems are worsening in the pandemic. Megan Cutter, director of the National Human Trafficking Hotline, says the first month of COVID-related shutdowns brought a 40-percent increase in crisis calls, while requests for shelter nearly doubled. Cutter says recent federal funding sent to local communities to help victims find housing is vitally needed.

Cutter says any legislation, federal or state, that can help provide stable housing to those in need, will go a long way toward helping curb human trafficking. It’s estimated 40-million people are trafficked every year in an industry worth 150-billion dollars a year. Cutter says traffickers often prey on people who don’t have a secure place to live.

The 2019 investigative documentary, “Gridshock,” explored the human trafficking industry in Iowa and claimed people are being bought and sold for sex — every day — in communities across the state. The National Human Trafficking Hotline is 888-373-7888.

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On the web at https://polarisproject.org/

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Des Moines attorney is suing several police officers and the city over their response to racial justice protests in May. The class-action lawsuit seeks to represent anyone arrested or assaulted by Des Moines officers during a protest May 31. Attorney Gina Messamer alleges in the lawsuit that officers illegally arrested and pepper-sprayed people protesting the death of George Floyd while he was in the custody of Minneapolis police.

The lawsuit alleges the officers’ actions violated protesters’ free speech rights and were meant to deter future demonstrations. Des Moines officials did not respond to requests for comment on the lawsuit.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Sioux City police say one person was killed and four others were injured in a shooting at a New Year’s party. Police say several shots were fired Friday morning from multiple guns into a home where people were celebrating New Year’s Eve.

An 18-year-old woman was found dead inside the home. Four others who were shot were treated at hospitals and are in stable condition. Police said many of the people at the party were underage. The investigation is continuing.