FROM KCCI: Second Iowan killed in Kuwait airstrike identified. A day after naming four of the six service members killed Sunday in an Iranian drone strike in Kuwait, the Pentagon has identified the remaining two soldiers – including another Iowan. The Army Reserve soldiers died Sunday when a drone hit a command center in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait. That was just a day after the U.S. and Israel launched their military campaign against Iran, which launched retaliatory strikes. Sgt. Declan J. Coady, of West Des Moines, and three others assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command in Des Moines, were identified Tuesday afternoon. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: Welcome home ceremonies taking place Saturday for Iowa National Guard soldiers. After announcing the return of nearly 600 soldiers over the weekend, the Iowa National Guard shared that two welcome home ceremonies will be held on Saturday. On Feb. 28, the Iowa National Guard announced that approximately 575 soldiers assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, would be returning from the Middle East. These soldiers were deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, which worked to reduce the capabilities of ISIS in Iraq and Syria. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: Iowa's measles vaccination rate remains low, spring break travel poses risk. As Iowa moves out of the typical cold and flu season, local health officials want Iowans to remember measles doesn’t follow the same seasonal patterns. And, since vaccination rates remain below recommended levels, the virus could pose a risk. Iowa’s measles, mumps and rubella vaccination rate sat at 86.5% as of 2025, recently released state data shows. Polk County’s rate is slightly higher, but health experts say both fall about 8 to 10 percentage points short of what’s needed to prevent measles from spreading if someone brings it into the community. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: Iran launches new attacks and calls for ‘Trump’s blood’ while Israel strikes Iranian infrastructure. Iran launched a new wave of attacks Thursday at Israel, American bases and countries around the region, threatening that the United States would “bitterly regret” torpedoing an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean and calling for “Trump’s blood,” while Israel said it hit multiple targets in Iran. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE NATION: Fight over Trump’s Iran war powers comes after a long stretch of Congress yielding to presidents. Multiple times during Donald Trump’s second presidency, Congress has debated his military authority, first in Latin America and now the Middle East. The latest test will come in the GOP-controlled House on Thursday after the Senate voted down a Democratic measure to limit Trump, at least theoretically, in the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE STATE: 2 killed, 2 injured during collision on icy road in northern Iowa. Authorities say icy roads were a factor in a collision that killed two people and injured two others in northern Iowa. The Iowa State Patrol says the crash occurred along Highway 18, a quarter mile east of Oak Avenue, around 4:35 a.m. on Wednesday. Authorities say a Chevy Silverado was heading westbound while a Kia Sorento was heading eastbound when the Chevy lost control on the ice-covered road and struck the Kia broadside. ... READ MORE

Clear Mortgage meteorology

A warmer day today. Not much of a rain chance until early Friday morning. Storms move in early... a little hail is possible. It appears there will be a second round in the evening, with which there is also a severe chance... wind and hail. Nice weather Sunday through at least part of Tuesday, when severe weather could be possible again. Then some cold returns. And maybe light snow chances.

For help with pre-approvals or refinancing, get in touch with Originating Branch Manager Carrie Hansen at carrie.mortgage.

Deals today
• B&B Grocery, Meat and Deli (2001 S.E. Sixth St., Des Moines) has a Thursday special Killer double hot Polish with fries and a soda for $12.95.

• Thursdays are triple decker Reuben day at Graziano Brothers (1601 S. Union St., Des Moines).
 
• Quarter pound cheeseburgers and chicken sandwiches are $3.39 each on Thursdays at Kwik Star.
 
• Striking Sparrow (1930 S.E. Sixth St., Des Moines) has a Thursday special breaded pork tenderloin with fries and soda for $12.
 
• Bennigan's (4800 Merle Hay Road, Urbandale) has a $10.99 burger, fries and a pint deal on Thursdays.
 
• Taco pizzas are the Thursday special at Walker's Place (475 N.E. Broadway Ave., Des Moines).
 
• Sale Barn Cafe (Lamoni) is offering BBQ meatballs specials today.
 
• Salisbury steak is today's special at Crouse Cafe (115 E. Salem, Indianola).
 
•  AJ's (Prairie Meadows) has an early bird menu on Wednesday and Thursday from 4-6 p.m. Half pound burgers with frites, $15; pasta and chicken dinners, $20-22; seafood and steak dinners, $27-30. Prime rib dinners for $30 all night.
 
• Guesthouse Tavern and Oyster (9500 University, West Des Moine) offers spaghetti dinners with 8-ounce meatballs and salad for $22 on Wednesdays.
 
• Chelsea's Courtyard (100 MLK, Des Moines) has buck burgers Thursdays. $1!
 
• Istanbul Grill Cafe & Bakery (3281 100th St., Urbandale) has a Thursday special of $11.99 for a döner wrap with fries as well as $5 off döner plate which comes with Turkish salad and your choice of rice or bulgur. 
 
•  Hot beef sandwiches are a Thursday special at Club 2000. 
 
• Maxie's (1311 Grand Ave., West Des Moines) Thursday special for $20.95 is half a fried chicken with potato, side of spaghetti and a salad. Lunch and dinner.
 
• Mullets Norwalk offers two, two-topping pizzas for $20 on Thursdays, 4 p.m. to close.
 
• Buzzard Billy's (615 Third St., Des Moines) has $2 off appetizers on Thursdays.
 
• Whatcha Smokin? (Highway 17, Luther) has a pork belly burnt ends special on Thursdays.
 
• Beaver Tap (4050 Urbandale Ave., Des Moines) offers $10 country fried breakfasts and $9 tenderloins or shrimp/fish tacos on Thursdays.
 
• Ruth's Chris (Ashworth Road at Jordan Creek Parkway) has a Thursday special with their decadent RBAR burgers and fries going for $16.
 
• Steak Nights: Sirloin steak dinners are featured specials today at Johnny's Italian Steakhouses (before 4 p.m.), Sully's Irish Pub (860 First St., West Des Moines); Front Row (9956 Swanson Blvd., Clive); Winn’s Pizza and Steakhouse (122 W. Ashland Ave., Indianola); and Hy-Vee Market Grilles. The Station on Ingersoll (3120 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines) has a $12 ribeye sandwich special on Thursdays. Gilroy's (1238 Eighth St., West Des Moines) offers ribeyes and sirloins only on Thursdays after 5 p.m.
 
• Mullets has a Thursday pizza special — buy one large specialty pizza and get a free 14-inch two-topping pizza.
 
• Kids eat free at Scornovacca’s (1930 S.E. 14th St., Des Moines) on Thursdays.
 
• ShortE's BBQ (8505 Chambery Blvd., Johnston) has $1 smoked wings Thursdays.
 
• Jethro's Thursday special is a pound of boneless "wings" for $8.
 
• Bevy’s Tavern (1300 50th St., West Des Moines) has a special of beef stew and cornbread Thursdays for $13.
 
• Destination Grille (2491 E. First St., Grimes) has a "Comfort Thursday" special chicken fried De Burgo, a gluten free spin on DSM's classic. $16
 
• The Dam Pub (2710 Beaver Ave., Des Moines) has a throwback Thursday special goulash with garlic toast.
 
• The Continental (407 E. Fifth St., Des Moines) has $7 loaded fries on Thursdays.

• Aldi stores haves sales through Tuesday on navel oranges at $2.49/4-pound bag, cantaloupes at $1.99, and lamb shanks $4.99/pound.

• Fresh Thyme (2800 University Ave., West Des Moines) is running a sale through Sunday on NY strips at $9.99/pound, and through Tuesday on T-bones at $11.99/pound and colossal (12-15) shrimp at $7.99/pound.

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

Poetry Learning Opportunity from a brilliant, seasoned poet
Kelsey Bigelow has become one of Iowa’s shining poetry stars. Experienced beyond belief, a tireless practitioner of her craft, and a relentless advocate for helping others embrace the beauty and importance of poetry, Kelsey has created an opportunity for poets yearning to improve their own abilities. “Anatomy of a Working Manuscript” is a one-day intensive workshop .

— John Busbee, The Culture Buzz

1770: The Boston Massacre. On the cold, snowy night of March 5, 1770, a mob of American colonists gathers at the Customs House in Boston and begins taunting the British soldiers guarding the building. The protesters, who called themselves Patriots, were protesting the occupation of their city by British troops, who were sent to Boston in 1768 to enforce unpopular taxation measures passed by a British parliament that lacked American representation.  … READ MORE

1868: Impeachment trial of Andrew Johnson begins. For the first time in U.S. history, the impeachment trial of an American president gets underway in the U.S. Senate. President Andrew Johnson, reviled by the Republican-dominated Congress for his views on Reconstruction, stood accused of having violated the controversial Tenure of Office Act, passed by Congress over his veto in 1867. … READ MORE

1946: Churchill delivers Iron Curtain speech. In one of the most famous orations of the Cold War period, former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill condemns the Soviet Union’s policies in Europe and declares, “From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the continent.” Churchill’s speech is considered one of the opening volleys announcing the beginning of the Cold War. … READ MORE

www.history.com