SCOOBA, Miss. (AP) — A woman from Iowa was among three people killed in a four-vehicle crash this week in eastern Mississippi. The Mississippi Highway Patrol identified those killed Wednesday as 67-year-old Kathleen Estling of Altoona, Iowa; and 56-year-old Kimberly S. Holliday and 12-year-old Bailey Southerlen, both of Southaven, Mississippi. Five other people were injured.

Investigators said a southbound pickup crossed the median of U.S. Highway 45 and hit three northbound vehicles — one carrying Estling and another carrying Holliday and Southerlen. The other vehicle hit was a Meridian school bus with a driver but no passengers.

It was the second fatal wreck within three days near the small town of Scooba in Kemper County. Eight people were killed Monday when a box truck and a passenger van collided on Mississippi Highway 16.

FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa woman accused of helping a man choke a woman to death and dispose of her body has taken a plea deal. Webster County District Court records say 27-year-old Mackenzie Knigge pleaded guilty Thursday to attempted murder and two other crimes. Prosecutors say Knigge and Phillip Williams, of Lafayette, Indiana, killed 26-year-old Jessica Gomez in Knigge’s Clare apartment in August 2017. Her body was found in a field near Clare.

Williams was sentenced in April to 30 years in an Iowa prison. Both Knigge and Williams had been charged with first-degree murder. Prosecutors lowered the charges in return for their guilty pleas. Knigge’s trial had been scheduled to begin Monday.

Knigge’s sentencing is set for July 8.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Supreme Court says the second-degree murder conviction of a northwest Iowa man will stand concluding the jury that convicted him wasn’t overwhelmingly influenced by Facebook rumors of a town riot if he wasn’t convicted. The case involved two young men from Estherville, Iowa interested in the same woman.

Lee Christensen, now 22 and serving sentence of up to 50 years, was convicted of shooting Thomas Bortvit, who was 19 when he died in 2015. Christensen appealed the conviction claiming jurors heard of the social media postings during deliberation.

The Iowa Court of Appeals last year ordered a new trial. The Supreme Court on Friday reversed that ruling concluding Christensen failed to show the verdict would have been different if jurors hadn’t been aware of the social media posts.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — One of the men accused in the robbery slaying of a Davenport man has pleaded not guilty. Scott County District Court records show 19-year-old Darrell Williams Jr., of East Moline, Illinois, entered written pleas Thursday to charges of first-degree murder, burglary and conspiracy. His trial is scheduled to begin July 8.

Prosecutors say Williams participated in the killing of 20-year-old Brady Tumlinson and the wounding of his girlfriend at Tumlinson’s home on Sept. 22, 2017.

(MOUNT PLEASANT) – The Iowa Board of Corrections voted today (Friday) in support of the appointment of Stephen Weis as the next warden of the Clarinda Correctional Facility (CCF) in Clarinda, Iowa. His appointment was recommended to the board by an internal department hiring committee. Weis will replace former warden Randy Gibbs, who was selected as the warden for the Iowa State Penitentiary in April.

Weis has served as the deputy warden of the CCF since December of 2015. He started his more-than-31-year career in corrections with the Nebraska Department of Corrections in 1987. Throughout his career in corrections with both Nebraska and Iowa, he has held such positions as: correctional officer, parole officer, parole supervisor, community treatment coordinator, and associate warden.

Commenting on the approval by the board, Iowa Corrections Director Beth Skinner said, “I couldn’t imagine a better person for this position than Warden Weis. He has a wealth of experience in both community-based and institutional environments, and has shown an unyielding commitment to both the staff and incarcerated men at the Clarinda Correctional Facility. I’m confident that CCF is in good hands with Warden Weis.”

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A July trial has been scheduled for a man accused of shooting a Davenport police officer. Scott County District Court records say 28-year-old Brett Dennis Sr. entered written pleas of not guilty Thursday to attempted murder and other charges. His trial is set to begin July 8. Prosecutors say Dennis shot Davenport Police Officer Ryan Leabo on April 25 after a foot chase and struggle. Dennis had run away when Leabo tried to talk to him and another man. They’d been seen rummaging through a car.

Prosecutors say one shot from Dennis hit Leabo in a leg and a second gunshot was stopped by Leabo’s bulletproof vest. The release says Leabo then shot Dennis in a leg. Dennis later told investigators he wanted Leabo to shoot him.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The attorney for former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad has filed an unusual request to the Iowa Supreme Court that seeks to stop a civil trial now in its third day, arguing rulings by a judge are unconstitutional. Branstad and two former staff members were sued by former Iowa Workers’ Compensation Commissioner Christopher Godfrey, who claims he was pressured to quit after Branstad took over as governor in 2010 and cut his pay cut by a third. Godfrey claims it was because he’s gay. Branstad denies he knew Godfrey was gay.

An eight-person is hearing the case in Polk County District Court. Branstad attorney Frank Harty says in a document filed with the Supreme Court Thursday that the trial judge is allowing Godfrey to put on trial Branstad’s positions on gay marriage and the Republican Party’s “anti-gay” views.

Harty says such a trial violates free speech rights of Branstad and all Iowans by chilling political speech. He says the trial should be stopped and the constitutional claims considered.

The Nodaway Valley and CAM School Boards announced today (Friday), the hiring of a new, shared district superintendent. Feedback from over 70 stakeholders was considered in closed session after the formal interviews on Thursday, June 6th. Feedback about all three final candidates was overall positive and provided clarity that Mr. Paul Croghan had the skills and experience that are needed in districts at this time.

New CAM/Nodaway Valley Superintendent Paul Croghan.

Croghan was pleased to accept the position saying, “I am looking forward to learning more about the communities and am excited about all the positive things that were shared with me through this interview process.” He will transition with current Superintendent Dr. Casey Berlau between now and officially starting his contract on July 1st.

Paul Croghan currently serves as the Shared Superintendent between the East Mills and Essex School Districts. He has served in this role for the last 5 years. Prior, he served the East Mills District as the High School Principal and Activities Director from 2010-2013. He also served as the Assistant High School Principal and AD in Atlantic and Walnut High School Principal prior to that. His leadership efforts have expanded vocational opportunities for students, improved the financial conditions of both districts and also included multiple facilities improvements. He is also an advocate through the Rural School Advocates of Iowa as the Southwest Iowa District representative.

Croghan has a Bachelor of Science degree from Mount Mercy College. He earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Drake University in 2007. His superintendent licensure was issued from Drake as well after completion of his Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership. In his application, Croghan said, “Every day I am thinking of ways to make the educational process better for all students. This commitment is a part of who I am, and I know of only one way to work in education. Since education is all about people, the students, staff, and community; I will do what it takes to make the system successful for student achievement.”

Paul and his wife Brenda have five children: Kelsey, Kendra, Kassidy, Karsen, and Kegan. In his free time, he says he enjoys spending time with his family, construction, farming and being in the outdoors.