FROM KCCI: Iowa State women's basketball star Audi Crooks announces plan to transfer. Iowa State's superstar center is leaving the program. Audi Crooks announced Thursday morning her intention to enter the transfer portal. "Thank you all for embracing me and showing up to Hilton every single game day," Crooks said in a statement announcing her departure. "I've met so many of you out in the community, and I will cherish all of the genuine connections that I've built during my time at Iowa State." ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: Man in critical condition after shooting in downtown Des Moines, police say. The Des Moines Police Department says a man is in critical condition after a shooting in the downtown area. Des Moines Police says officers and Des Moines Fire Department medics were called to the area of 12th Street and Keo Way to assist a person with a gunshot injury just before 9 p.m. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: 2nd IPERS employee on administrative leave amid misconduct investigation. A second employee with the Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System (IPERS) was placed on administrative leave while a misconduct investigation takes place.
IPERS Chief Benefit Officer Steven Herbert Steven Herbert is on administrative leave as of April 1, an IPERS spokesperson confirmed with Local 5 on April 2. Herbert has only been employed by IPERS for about a year. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: Cuba releasing 2,010 prisoners as the US pressures the island’s government. The Cuban government said Thursday it would release 2,010 prisoners in a move that comes while the Trump administration puts extreme pressure on the island’s government with a suffocating oil blockade. The announcement said the pardons were a “humanitarian gesture” in connection with Holy Week and didn’t mention mounting pressures with the U.S. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE NATION: 3 state troopers plead not guilty to charges connected to death of recruit after boxing match. A supervisor and two instructors with a Massachusetts State Police tactical unit plead not guilty Thursday in connection with the death of a recruit who suffered a concussion during a sparring session and blunt force injuries a day later in what investigators called an “unapproved and unsafe” boxing match. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE STATE: Two arrested after late-night burglary at Atlantic business; third suspect sought. Atlantic Police say two Des Moines men were arrested and a third suspect remains at large following a late-night burglary at Nishna Valley Cycle on April 1. At approximately 11:35 p.m., the Atlantic Police Department responded to a commercial Burglary alarm at 2500 E. 7th Street, Nishna Valley Cycle. Upon officers arrival, three individuals fled the scene. Two subjects were later apprehended with the assistance of Cass County Sherriff’s deputies and Iowa State Patrol. ... READ MORE

The Iowa Architectural Foundation's Eat|Drink|Architecture  will be Sunday, April 26 from 1-5 p.m. in downtown Des Moines. This event blends local food, drinks and architecture into a walking tour. Participants visit four well-known establishments with guided insights into the history and design of the East Village, Downtown and Court Avenue districts. Tickets are $53.49 and must be purchased in advance. The event consistently sells out so get on it. 

Machine Shed Urbandale hosts “The Shed’s Supper Club: Spring on the Farm” April 30 at 6 p.m. This is a great deal at $75 including tax and tips. Five courses featuring walleye, pork rillettes and smoked ribeye plus cocktails. This too will sell out.

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 Parm encrusted 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 ham with scalloped potatoes specials today. A Jamaican food truck takes over Saturday for the auction.
 
• Machine Shed (11151 Hickman, Urbandale) offers smoked prime rib on Saturday only. Whatcha Smokin? (Luther) offers smoked Dino beef ribs on Saturday only. 
 
• Shrimp Alfredo is today's special at Crouse Cafe (115 E. Salem, Indianola).
 
• 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 (128 Fifth St., Valley Junction) has Friday prime rib dinners with baked potatoes and asparagus for $32 or walleye picatta for $28.50. Saturday's special is beef and noodles for $18.50.
 
• 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 asparagus at $1.99/pound, lake trout at $5.99/pound and pork butt for $2.49/pound.

• Whole Foods (4100 University Ave., West Des Moines) offers $1 oysters on Fridays with good selection and free shucking. 
 
• Hy-Vee stores have a sale through Sunday on sweet potatoes at $.99/pound, bakery baguettes at $2.49, and fresh tilapia fillets at $7.99/pound.

• Aldi stores have sales through Saturday on spiral half hams at $1.49/pound, and through Tuesday on lamb shanks at $5.99/pound and pineapples at $1.79.

• Price Choppers have sales on lemons at 50 cents, frozen perch at $5.49/pound, and red or gold potatoes at $2.99/3-pound bag through Monday.

• Fresh Thyme (2800 University Ave., West Des Moines) is running a sale through Sunday on King crab legs at $29.99/pound and beef tenderloin at $16.99/pound and through Tuesday on colored cauliflower or asparagus at $1.99/pound.

Music 
Son Peruchos is at LaBonita, Windsor Heights, at 10 p.m. Saturday... Drew Peer plays Kelly's Little Nipper at 7 Friday... El Toreado Mexican Bar & Grill on EP True has live music from The Juan and Only on Friday from 6 p.m... “Church Basement Ladies” plays at The Ingersoll at 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday… Willie Shay plays Simon’s at 7 p.m. Friday... Scott Davis / John Mattingly Duo plays Louie’s Wine Dive Sunday at 5 p.m.... Blanket Fort plays Mickey's Irish Pub, Waukee, at 8:30 p.m. Saturday.

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

1860: Pony Express debuts. On April 3, 1860, the first Pony Express mail, traveling by horse and rider relay teams, simultaneously leaves St. Joseph, Missouri, and Sacramento, California. Ten days later, on April 13, the westbound rider and mail packet completed the approximately 1,800-mile journey and arrived in Sacramento, beating the eastbound packet’s arrival in St. Joseph by two days and setting a new standard for speedy mail delivery. Although ultimately short-lived and unprofitable, the Pony Express captivated America’s imagination and helped win federal aid for a more economical overland postal system. It also contributed to the economy of the towns on its route and served the mail-service needs of the American West in the days before the telegraph or an efficient transcontinental railroad. … READ MORE

1948: President Harry Truman signs Marshall Plan. On April 3, 1948, President Harry S. Truman signs the Economic Assistance Act, which authorized the creation of a program that would help the nations of Europe recover and rebuild after the devastation wrought by World War II. Commonly known as the Marshall Plan, it aimed to stabilize Europe economically and politically so that European nations would not be tempted by the appeal of communist parties. … READ MORE

1996: Unabomber arrested. At his small wilderness cabin near Lincoln, Montana, Theodore John Kaczynski is arrested by FBI agents and accused of being the Unabomber, the elusive terrorist blamed for 16 mail bombs that killed three people and injured 23 during an 18-year period. … READ MORE

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