It's Friday, March 6.

Today's emoji forecast: 🌧️⛈️ Morning storms will wind down by noon, but a second round this evening could bring the potential for severe weather for much of the state. David Koeller has your forecast.

What people are talking about:

Dallas Center-Grimes sophomore Ava Smid scored 8 points in 19 seconds of game play Thursday in the final minute of a 4A semifinal basketball game against Norwalk. You have to see it to believe it.
Republican Sen. Kerry Gruenhagen walked off the Senate floor as Democratic Sen. Tony Bisignano attempted to ask him why he had not responded to a request for an oversight hearing about a child welfare task force that had not met in two years.
An Iowa man faces three counts of aggravated murder in southern Utah where authorities said Thursday that he killed a woman, stole her vehicle and drove it to a nearby trailhead where he killed two more women before fleeing in one of their vehicles.

TOP STORY: Dignified transfer Saturday for slain soldiers

THE 101: The dignified transfer of six U.S. soldiers killed during the ongoing conflict in the Middle East — including Maj. Jeffrey O'Brien, 45, of Waukee, and Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, of West Des Moines — will be held Saturday at Dover Air Force Base. The ritual is a transfer of remains of U.S. troops killed during their military service and is one of the most solemn acts for any president. The White House has said President Donald Trump will attend.

REP. ZACH NUNN SAYS: "This Saturday, I will attend the dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base to honor the brave Americans who were killed in action and stand with their families during this solemn moment," Rep. Zach Nunn, R-Iowa, said in a statement Thursday. It was part of a statement in which he confirmed that a separate political event featuring Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth would be postponed.

WHAT IS A DIGNIFIED TRANSFER?

While presidents often attend such events, a dignified transfer is not a formal ceremony. Instead, it is a solemn process meant to ensure dignity, honor and respect for fallen service members.
The transfer occurs when the remains of U.S. troops killed while supporting combat operations arrive in the United States, most often at Dover Air Force Base. Each transfer case, draped with an American flag, is carefully carried from the aircraft to an awaiting transport vehicle by a carry team made up of service members from the fallen troops' branch. A senior-ranking officer presides over the transfer.
Once on the ground, the transfer cases are moved individually to waiting vehicles and taken to the mortuary facility at Dover Air Force Base.
There, the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System conducts positive identification and prepares the fallen service members for their final resting place.

4 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

🏛️ Statehouse news: The Iowa House has approved a bill that would prevent local governments from forming local civil rights commissions and creating their own civil rights codes, impacting protections for groups not covered under state law, including transgender Iowans. Read more

🏀 Special connection: Johnston basketball star Jenica Lewis shared a sweet moment this week at the state basketball tournament with Maren Peterson, an 8-year-old from Ankeny who skipped school for the chance to meet her. Peterson and Lewis are both type 1 diabetics. Read more

⛽ Tracking gas prices: Military action in Iran is starting to impact prices at the pump as Americans have seen gas prices rise since strikes began in the Middle East on Saturday. Map shows average gas price in each Iowa county

🏈 Contract released: Jimmy Rogers' official contract is in, nearly 3 months after he was introduced as Iowa State's football coach. Read more

STORMY FRIDAY AHEAD

Heavy storms rolled in early this morning, bringing downpours and frequent lightning. Storms may linger through midday, then warmer and humid air will create the potential for a second round of severe storms by this evening.

With the warmth and humidity available, stronger storms will be possible in the later round of storms. How strong the storms get will depend on how much sunshine we see, and just how high temperatures climb. Highs in the 70s will mean stronger storms, while highs closer to 65 will slightly lower severe risks.

Most of the state currently has a slight risk for severe weather, or a level 2 out of 5. The main threats are large hail up to 2 inches in size and gusty winds to around 70 mph. While the tornado risk is limited, it cannot be ruled out today, especially across southern and southwest Iowa where it will be slightly warmer this afternoon.

Interactive Radar | Weather Alerts | Skycams

DAY BY DAY:

Today: Thunderstorms - some may contain locally heavy rain, especially during the morning hours. Potential for severe thunderstorms in the evening. High 68F. Winds S at 15 to 25 mph.
Saturday: Morning clouds will give way to sunshine for the afternoon. High 47F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.
Sunday: Partly cloudy skies. High 67F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph.