FROM KCCI: HAWKEYES TAKE DOWN HUSKERS. Ninth-seeded Iowa continues improbable March run, beating Nebraska to reach Elite Eight. HOUSTON (AP) — Alvaro Folgueiras converted a critical three-point play when Nebraska only had four defenders on the floor, and ninth-seeded Iowa continued its unpredictable NCAA Tournament run under first-year coach Ben McCollum, beating Nebraska 77-71 in a South Region semifinal on Thursday night. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: Iowa GOP candidates face off, address controversy at 2026 Lincoln Dinner. DES MOINES, Iowa – Iowa’s republican gubernatorial candidates made their pitches to Polk County Republicans and voters amidst controversy Thursday night at the 2026 Lincoln Dinner. Tensions were heightened after a controversy surrounding two candidates. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: Gov. Reynolds signs bill increasing taxes on Medicaid plan into law. Skeptics argue the law will raise the cost of health insurance premiums while supporters say it's needed to address the state's budget shortfall. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: Trump extends deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump has extended his deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz to April 6. The president made the statement Thursday in a social media post. He said he will hold off on bombing Iran’s energy plants. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE NATION: Senators are discussing ‘last and final’ offer to end funding shutdown as pressure mounts. With pressure mounting, senators moved quickly Thursday to debate a “last and final” offer to end the funding impasse that has jammed airports and put the livelihoods of Transportation Security Administration workers in jeopardy as Republicans try to address Democratic demands for changes to President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement changes. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE STATE: Sioux City food trucks required to install fire suppression systems under new code. Food truck owners in Sioux City are adjusting to new fire safety requirements after the city adopted the 2024 International Fire Code at the start of 2026. The code requires a mobile food vendor permit to be issued in accordance with Chapter 19 of the Sioux City Municipal Code. The requirements apply to all food vendors operating within the corporate limits of Sioux City. ... READ MORE

Mark your calendars
Easter Brunch at Rollins Mansion for just $45 adults, $20 kids.
 
Lucca hosts an affordable fundraiser for the Iowa Italian-American Cultural Center Wednesday, April 8, 5-7 p.m. pairing wine and courses on the theme of springtime in Italy. $81.88. 

Weekend deals 
• Paula's (524 Elm, Valley Junction) has a Friday special meat loaf dinner, $14.
 
• Hessen Haus (101 Fourth St., Des Moines) offers all-you-can-eat fish and shrimp for $18 on Fridays through Lent.
 
• Friday lunch special is $12 Italian beef with fries and soda, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Striking Sparrow (1930 S.E. Sixth St., Des Moines).
 
• Waveland Cafe (4708 University Ave., Des Moines) has Cajun tilapia on special today.
 
• Friday is ramen day at Wilson Orchard & Farm (3201 15th Ave., Cumming). 
 
• Hy-Vees offer $5 fish and chips Fridays, $14 ribs Saturdays and eight-piece chicken buckets for $10 on Sundays.
 
• Sale Barn Cafe (Lamoni) is offering bang bang shrimp specials today.
 
• Machine Shed (11151 Hickman, Urbandale) offers smoked prime rib on Saturday only. Whatcha Smokin? (Luther) offers smoked Dino beef ribs on Saturday only. 
 
• Fish and chips, or all-you-can-eat spaghetti are today's special at Crouse Cafe (115 E. Salem, Indianola). Saturday's is creamed chicken on biscuit and Sunday's is pan fried chicken on super special.
 
• Saturday is wine sampling day at Graziano Brothers.
 
• ShortE's BBQ (8805 Chambery Blvd., Johnston) offers  "kids eat free" deals on Friday and Saturday.
 
• Amruth (9974 Swanson Blvd., Clive) has 20 dishes on their Saturday and Sunday buffet, noon to 4 p.m. Of course, there will be dosas.
 
• Waterfront stores' Saturday special includes cocktail shrimp or raw oysters on the half shell for half price until 4 p.m.



• Guesthouse Tavern and Oyster (9500 University, West Des Moines) offers Surf & Turf specials Fridays and $33 prime rib dinners Saturdays.



• Gilroy's (1238 Eighth St., West Des Moines) does Saturday and Sunday brunch buffets for $24.99 for adults. Kids 6 and younger eat free.
 
• Rube's steakhouses offer a prime sirloin special on Sundays only, $29.
 
• Beaver Tap (4050 Urbandale Ave., Des Moines) offers $9 Philly cheesesteaks or hot honey chicken plus $8 biscuit and gravy breakfasts on Fridays.
 
• Smoking Goat Pub (3015 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines) offers walleye or steak dinner specials tonight and karaoke after 9 p.m. They have a 10 for $10 wings deal on Sundays. 
 
•  Jethro's Sunday special is burger baskets with fries for $9.95. Fridays they have open-faced turkey sandwiches with mashed potatoes and gravy for $12. 
 
• G Mig 's has Friday prime rib dinners with baked potatoes and asparagus for $32.
 
• Heavenly Asian (225 Fifth St., Valley Junction) has an all-day Friday sale on orange chicken served with soup, crab Rangoon, egg roll and rice, $14, available for dine-in and phone carry-out.
 
• Destination Grille (2491 E. First St., Grimes) has a $40 prime rib dinner special Friday and Saturday. 
 
• Court Avenue Brewing Company (309 Court Ave., Des Moines) hosts Saturday and Sunday breakfast buffets for $23.99.
 
• Fareways have specials through Saturday on St. Louis ribs at $2.99/pound, boneless arm roasts at $6.99/pound and frozen vegetables for $.99.

• Whole Foods (4100 University Ave., West Des Moines) offers $1 oysters on Fridays with good selection and free shucking. 

• Aldi stores have sales through Tuesday on spiral half hams at $1.49/pound, Frenched rack of lamb at $9.99/pound, and bone in rib roasts $8.99/pound.

• Hy-Vee stores have a sale through Sunday on corned beef brisket points at $3.98/pound, cabbage at 48 cents/pound, and brats at eight for $12.

• Fresh Thyme (2800 University Ave., West Des Moines) is running a sale through Sunday on ahi tuna and swordfish steaks at $10.99/pound, and through Tuesday on four kinds of apples at 99 cents/pound and jumbo (16-20) shrimp at $6.99/pound.

• Price Choppers have sales on strawberries at $2.99/2-pound basket, mandarins at $3.99/3 pounds, and Land o' Lakes butter at $2.99/pound through Monday.
 
Music 
Decoy Duo is at Striking Sparrow 8 p.m. Saturday... Jake Schrodt plays Kelly's Little Nipper at 7 p.m. Friday... El Toreado Mexican Bar & Grill on EP True has live music from The Juan and Only on Friday from 6 p.m... Purple Piano - The One Man Tribute To Prince plays The Ingersoll at 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday … Willie Shay plays Simon’s at 7 p.m. Friday... Two Guys Named Dave + Steve O’Brien play Louie’s Wine Dive Sunday at 5 p.m.... Gimikk  plays Mickey's Irish Pub Waukee, at 8:30 p.m. Saturday.

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

1912 Japanese cherry trees planted along the Potomac. In Washington, D.C., Helen Taft, wife of President William Taft, and the Viscountess Chinda, wife of the Japanese ambassador, plant two Yoshino cherry trees on the northern bank of the Potomac River. The event on March 27, 1912, commemorated a gift by the Japanese government of some 3,020 cherry trees to the U.S. government.   … READ MORE

1964: Strongest earthquake in U.S. history rocks Alaska. The strongest earthquake in American history, measuring 9.2 on the Richter scale, slams southern Alaska, creating a deadly tsunami. Some 131 people were killed and thousands injured. Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, sustained the most property damage, with about 30 blocks of dwellings and commercial buildings damaged or destroyed in the downtown area. Fifteen people were killed or fatally injured as a direct result of the three-minute quake, and then the ensuing tsunami killed another 110 people. … READ MORE

1998: FDA approves Viagra. On March 27, 1998, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves use of the drug Viagra, an oral medication that treats impotence.
Sildenafil, the chemical name for Viagra, is an artificial compound that was originally synthesized and studied to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and angina pectoris (a form of cardiovascular disease).   … READ MORE

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