California community ties all-time March temperature record in the US

NORTH SHORE, Calif. (AP) — A tiny desert community in Southern California reached 108 degrees on Wednesday, tying the highest March temperature ever recorded in the U.S.

Phoenix Record Heat

It came amid arecord-breaking winter heat wavein the Southwest that will stretch into the weekend and could produce even higher temperatures.

The record — first reached by Rio Grande City, Texas in 1954 and now shared by North Shore, California — could be broken in a number of cities and towns by week's end. The aptly named Thermal, California, was forecast to hit 110 degrees on Friday.

Triple-digit temperatures also came earlier than ever before in Phoenix when the Arizona capital hit 101 degrees Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. The previous record was set almost 40 years ago, on March 26, 1988, the only other time Phoenix temperatures have climbed into the hundreds during the month of March, according to the NWS.

Bryan Lewis, a meteorologist with the NWS, said this has been one of the most significant March heatwaves in recorded history.

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"We've broken so many records yesterday and even today we've broken quite a few so far," he said.

Several cities on Wednesday experienced their hottest March day in almost 40 years, according to the NWS.

Las Vegas hit 99 degrees, smashing its hottest March day on record, which was 93 degrees in 2022.

Downtown Los Angeles reached 94 degrees, beating its previous daily high of 87 degrees in 1997.

And the desert destination of Palm Springs, California, was 104 degrees, tying its hottest March day on record from 1966.

It will continue to be 20 to 30 degrees above normal March temperatures for the rest of the week in the Southwest before dropping slightly over the weekend. Many other cities in the region are expected to see their earliest 100-plus degree day on record, according to the NWS.

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March 18, 2026

California community ties all-time March temperature record in the US

NORTH SHORE, Calif. (AP) — A tiny desert community in Southern California reached 108 degrees on Wednesday, tying the hig...

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César Chavez and Dolores Huerta led a movement that won better wages and conditions for farmworkers

Dolores Huerta and the late César Chavez are both labor rights icons credited with leading a movement that pushed growers to negotiate for better wages and working conditions for farmworkers.

César Chavez Allegations

Their legacies are getting new attention after allegations emerged that Chavez, who died in 1993,sexually abusedHuerta and other women and girls. Several celebrations honoring Chavez planned around the country for later this monthhave been canceled.

Chavez and Huerta co-founded the National Farm Workers Association in 1962, which became the United Farm Workers of America a few years later when it merged with the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee.

The rise of the movement is one of the most important events in U.S. history and is the most important event in U.S. Latino history, said Paul Ortiz, a Cornell University labor history professor. United Farm Workers made the most important sustained changes in the working conditions of agricultural workers in the nation's history, he said.

Agricultural workers "from Hawaii to Florida to New York to Southern California had tried to organize to improve their wages and working conditions, literally for centuries, going back to slavery times," Ortiz said. "And almost every effort failed, some catastrophically."

Chavez and Huerta are credited with efforts that prompted California to pass the first state law recognizing farmworkers' right to collective bargaining.

Both have streets and schools named after them. Several states have designated March 31, Chavez's birthday, as a day to commemorate him, and former President Barack Obama declared it a federal commemorative holiday in 2014.

Here's a look at their lives and legacies:

César Chavez

Chavez is known for his earlyorganizing in the fields, a hunger strike, a grape boycott and eventual victory in getting growers to negotiate with farmworkers for better wages and working conditions.

Born in Yuma, Arizona, Chavez grew up in a Mexican American family that traveled around California picking lettuce, grapes, cotton and other seasonal crops.

Chavez protested poor pay and often-miserable working conditions. There were no toilets in the fields for workers and they had to weed fields with short-handled hoes that forced them to bend over for hours at a time.

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The farmworker movement lifted worker wages, banned short-handed hoes and established state-mandated clean drinking water and restrooms in the fields, according to a National Park Service document supporting the creation of a national monument in Chavez's honor.

In 1966, he led a march that started with a few activists in Delano, California, and ended in Sacramento with 10,000 people, according to Obama's 2014 proclamation. Some 17 million people joined a boycott of grapes, which forced growers to accept some of the first farmworker contracts in history, the proclamation said.

Chavez began the first credit union for farmworkers, health clinics, daycare centers and job-training programs, the Cesar Chavez Foundation said on its website.

He died in California in 1993 at age 66.

Dolores Huerta

The labor and civil rights leader secured higher wages, health benefits, pensions and pesticide protections for farmworkers during her decades of organizing and advocacy on their behalf.

Now 95, Huerta helped organize the 1965 Delano strike of 5,000 grape workers and was the lead negotiator in the workers contract that followed, according to the National Women's History Museum.

A single mother, Huerta gave up a stable teaching career to organize. She was jailed over 20 times for protests and seriously injured in 1988 while demonstrating. She later championed women's rights, encouraged Latinas to run for office and founded the Dolores Huerta Foundation to combat discrimination, poverty and inequality.

She coined the iconic slogan "Sí, se puede" — meaning "Yes, we can" -- in 1972 while rallying Arizona farmworkers against a law banning boycotts and strikes. She defied claims it was impossible to organize there.

Huerta received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012 and in 1993 became the first Latina inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame.

Associated Press writers Susan Montoya Bryan and Fernanda Figueroa contributed to this report.

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March 18, 2026

César Chavez and Dolores Huerta led a movement that won better wages and conditions for farmworkers

Dolores Huerta and the late César Chavez are both labor rights icons credited with leading a movement that pushed growers...

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Venezuela's acting president replaces long-time defense minister with intelligence head

March 18 (Reuters) - Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodriguez said on Wednesday that General Gustavo Gonzalez Lopez will take over as defense minister from General Vladimir Padrino, a long-time powerbroker close to ousted President Nicolas Maduro.

The change is the most important yet in Rodriguez's cabinet and marks ‌the demotion of a general who controlled Venezuela's sprawling military for 11 years under Maduro.

"I inform the country that today I have appointed Major General ‌Gustavo Gonzalez Lopez as Minister of People's Power for Defense," Rodriguez said in a post on Telegram, thanking Padrino, 62, for his service and adding he will be given new responsibilities.

Rodriguez in January appointed ​Gonzalez Lopez, 65, as the head of the presidential guard and the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence (DGCIM).

Gonzalez Lopez, who has been sanctioned by the U.S. and EU for rights violations and corruption, previously served as Venezuela's domestic intelligence director until mid-2024. Later that year, he began working with Rodriguez as head of strategic affairs at state oil company PDVSA, which she then oversaw as energy minister. He is also a former interior minister and joined the armed forces in his early twenties.

Gonzalez Lopez's promotion will not mark a ‌major change in Rodriguez's policy of compliance with U.S. demands ⁠on oil, mining and the release of some people classed as political prisoners, a source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

"I see it as a situation in which the entire relationship with the Americans is concentrated in a few people, and they are ⁠the ones they trust the most," the source said. "I think it is simply about appointing someone who will deal with the United States."

Sources had previously told Reuters that Gonzalez Lopez's appointment to head the presidential guard and DGCIM was an early gambit by Rodriguez to counter what many say is the biggest threat to her leadership: Diosdado Cabello, the hardline interior minister ​who ​has close ties to the security services and dreaded 'colectivo' motorcycle gangs which have been accused of ​killing opposition supporters.

Cabello has been vociferous in his public support ‌for Rodriguez and joined her and her brother Jorge, the head of the legislature, at numerous public events. Reuters reporting has shown Cabello was holding talks with Trump administration officials months before the U.S. operation to seize Maduro, though Cabello has denied any such contact.

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The Venezuelan communications ministry, which handles all press queries for the government, did not immediately respond to a request for more information about the change.

Gonzalez Lopez will be replaced as the head of DGCIM by naval admiral German Gomez Larez, who previously oversaw the country's ports, Rodriguez said in a statement, while General Henry Navas will take over the presidential guard.

LONG-TIME LOYALIST

Padrino, who has also been sanctioned by the ‌U.S. over alleged drug trafficking and his support for Maduro, once directed the ceremonial section ​of the presidential guard under late President Hugo Chavez. But his star fully rose under Maduro, who ​made him defense minister in late 2014.

Sources have told Reuters that Padrino ​was likely to be replaced and had been kept in his position after the U.S. capture of Maduro to ensure stability in ‌the military, where some 2,000 generals control disparate groups of poorly ​paid troops, as well as huge business ​interests.

Padrino, who appeared on state television soon after Maduro's capture to say Venezuela would resist foreign troops and whose military was preparing 'guerrilla-style' attacks to confront an invasion, has instead worked with Rodriguez to meet U.S. demands.

He said in his own statement that it had been "the greatest honor of my life to ​serve the nation" and offered his congratulations to Gonzalez ‌Lopez, who he said he had known since they were at the military academy together.

Despite the U.S. intervention, Venezuela's repressive apparatus remains intact, the United ​Nations said last week. Venezuela's government has always denied human rights violations against civil society and its political opposition, as well as accusations ​of corruption within the military.

(Reporting by Reuters, editing by Deepa Babington and Alistair Bell)

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March 18, 2026

Venezuela's acting president replaces long-time defense minister with intelligence head

March 18 (Reuters) - Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodriguez said on Wednesday that General Gustavo Gonzalez Lop...

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Lionel Messi to lead Argentina in friendly match against Guatemala ahead of World Cup

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) —Lionel Messiwas called up Wednesday for a March 31 friendly match against Guatemala as Argentina gears up to defend its title in theWorld Cup.

The game atLa Bombonerain Buenos Aires was arranged after theFinalissimabetween Argentina and Spain on March 27 in Qatar was called off because of the conflict in the Middle East.

Coach Lionel Scaloni left out striker Lautaro Martínez, defender Lisandro Martínez, and midfielder Giovani Lo Celso because of physical problems.

Martínez (left calf strain) has been cleared to play but has yet to return for Inter Milan. José Manuel López of Palmeiras in Brazil was called up in his place.

Manchester United's Lisandro Martínez is unavailable due to physical discomfort. Lo Celso of Real Betis is recovering from a muscle tear.

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Estudiantes de La Plata defender Tomás Palacios and Racing Club full-back Gabriel Rojas received their first senior national team call-ups.

Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni was called up despite being embroiled in controversy overalleged racist remarks to Vinicius Juniorduring a Champions League match.

Three-time champion Argentina is in a group with Algeria, Austria and Jordan.

AP soccer:https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

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March 18, 2026

Lionel Messi to lead Argentina in friendly match against Guatemala ahead of World Cup

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) —Lionel Messiwas called up Wednesday for a March 31 friendly match against Guatemala as Arge...

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Which NFL stars will cash in next? 13 candidates for massive contract extensions

The most expensive part of2026 NFL free agencyis now in the books, and the league's 32 teams doled outnearly $4 billionin total contract obligations in an effort to improve their rosters, perOverTheCap.com.

Even so, there figures to be plenty more money to spend before the 2026 NFL season begins in September. Some of that will be allotted to the numerous quality players that were overlooked in the first wave of NFL free agency.

But more of it will go toward lucrative, long-term extensions for star players seeking new contracts.

OT Tytus Howard: Traded to Cleveland Browns (previous team: Houston Texans)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> CB Trent McDuffie: Traded to Los Angeles Rams (previous team: Kansas City Chiefs)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> RB David Montgomery: Traded to Houston Texans (previous team: Detroit Lions)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> WR DJ Moore: Traded to Buffalo Bills (previous team: Chicago Bears)

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2026 NFL offseason tracker: Player signings, trades

OT Tytus Howard:Traded to Cleveland Browns(previous team: Houston Texans)

First-round picks from the 2023 NFL Draft will become extension-eligible during the 2026 offseason. That will position players likeC.J. Stroud,Bijan RobinsonandJaxon Smith-Njigba, among others, to cash in on big-money contracts.

Meanwhile, several other players are set to play on various, one-year tenders for the 2026 NFL season, making them prime candidates to receive longer-term deals.

Who could end up being some of the next NFL players to sign market-setting deals? Here's a look at the most notable extension candidates for the 2026 offseason.

Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams

Nacua has blossomed into one of the NFL's most productive receivers since being selected in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Last season, the 24-year-old posted an NFL-best 129 receptions for 1,715 yards and 10 touchdowns while serving as NFL MVPMatthew Stafford's most reliable target.

Nacua is entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2026, and the Rams may be eager to lock in the 2025 All-Pro first-teamer long-term during the offseason. The BYU product will likely command a top-dollar deal and could potentially eclipse the current record $40.25 million in average annual value (AAV)Ja'Marr Chasereceived on his 2025 extension with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks

Nacua isn't the only All-Pro receiver who is extension-eligible this offseason. Smith-Njigba will be as well, fresh off a season that saw him emerge as Seattle's No. 1 receiver in the post-DK Metcalfera and log a league-best 1,793 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns on 119 receptions.

Smith-Njigba turned 24 less than a week after Seattle's Super Bowl 60 win and, like Nacua, should command a lucrative extension. It will be interesting to see which of the duo signs first and whether that impacts which will end up being the higher.

Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons

London has been in the NFL a year longer than Nacua and Smith-Njigba, but he is the same age as his counterparts. The 24-year-old hasn't yet gotten a long-term extension from the Falcons but will be due one after averaging a career-best 13.5 yards per reception and 76.6 receiving yards per game in Atlanta last season.

London will play on his fifth-year option in 2026, so the Falcons may have some urgency to lock him in beyond that before the season begins.

George Pickens, WR, Dallas Cowboys

Pickens represents another young receiver who could soon be in for a hefty payday.The Cowboys slapped him with the franchise tagafter he posted a career-best 93 catches, 1,429 yards and 10 touchdowns during his first season in Dallas, but the two parties could continue to work on a lucrative, long-term deal.

Pickens may not command the same type of contract as Nacua or Smith-Njigba, butUSA TODAY Sportsstill projects him to become one of the 10 highest-paid receivers in the NFL.

Brandon Aubrey, K, Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys will also have to give Aubrey a lucrative extension. The 30-year-old figures to become the NFL's highest-paid kicker after making a whopping 35 of 44 kicks (79.5%) from 50-plus yards and six field goals of more than 60 yards over the first three seasons of his career.

The question is less about whether Aubrey will reset the kicker market and more about by how much. Ka'imi Fairbairn currently makes the most among kickers in AAV ($6.5 million) butAubrey reportedly wants closer to $10 million.

C.J. Stroud, QB, Houston Texans

Officially, Stroud is extension-eligible during the 2026 NFL offseason. But will the Texans move to secure the 24-year-old quarterback to a long-term deal?Stroud's struggles during the 2025 NFL playoffs– where he completed just 51.9% of his passes for 462 yards, two touchdowns and five interceptions while fumbling five times – could give Houston pause as it mulls a decision.

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The Texans can still have Stroud under team control for two more seasons if they exercise his fifth-year option for 2027. Doing so and assessing Stroud's ability to bounce back in 2026 after his late-season struggles seems like Houston's more likely path, even if an extension can't categorically be ruled out.

Will Anderson Jr., edge, Houston Texans

Inking Anderson to an extension will likely be Houston's larger priority. The No. 3 overall pick from the 2023 NFL Draft was named an All-Pro first teamer in 2025 after generating 85 pressures – good for second-most in the NFL behind onlyAidan Hutchinson, perthe NFL's Next Gen Stats– and a career-best 12 sacks.

Anderson, 24, has proven to be one of the NFL's best and most consistent pass rushers across his three seasons to date. He was a catalyst for the Texans' top-ranked defense, so the team will likely do everything in its power to lock him in as its long-term franchise cornerstone. Perhaps a deal similar to the four-year, $180 million pact Hutchinson inked with the Lions in 2025 could be enough to make that happen.

Christian Gonzalez, CB, New England Patriots

The Patriots' defense carried them to a surprise Super Bowl appearance in 2025 and finished ninth in defensive EPA per play for the season, perthe NFL's Next Gen Stats. Gonzalez was a major part of that success, as the Pro Bowl cornerback allowed just a 64.4 passer rating while grading asPro Football Focus' 14th overall cornerbackamong 112 qualifiers for the season.

Mike Vrabel and Eliot Wolf will want to keep Gonzalez around, so expect the 2023 first-round pick – who won't turn 24 until June – to soon become one of the NFL's highest-paid cornerbacks.

Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons

Robinson is one of the many high-end running backs who are extension-eligible for the first time during the 2026 NFL offseason. The 24-year-old's candidacy comes at an ideal time, as he logged a career-high 2,298 scrimmage yards in 2025 and earned an All-Pro first team nod while averaging 5.1 yards per carry.

The Falcons will continue to lean on Robinson – a first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft – as their offensive workhorse. They could wait a season to extend the Texas product, knowing he will play on a fifth-year option in 2027, but it could behoove Atlanta to get an extension done now and lock in his unique, dual-threat ability as the team continues its search for a franchise quarterback.

Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions

Like Robinson, Gibbs was selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft and has blossomed into a quality running back. He has generated 49 total touchdowns during his career and has averaged 1,884 scrimmage yards over the last two seasons despite splitting time at the running back position withDavid Montgomery.

Gibbs' explosiveness has been key to Detroit's offensive success, and his importance has only increased after the team traded Montgomery to the Texans during the offseason. That could lead the Lions to pursue a long-term extension with Gibbs more aggressively, despite him being under contract through the 2027 season.

De'Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins have ripped apart their offensive foundation during the 2026 NFL offseason, parting withTua Tagovailoa,Jaylen WaddleandTyreek Hillwhile trying to reshape their organization under new coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan.

Could Achane be next? The latest rumors suggestthe Dolphins would like to keep the Texas A&M product, which could lead them to extend him as he enters a contract year.

Achane had a career-high 1,350 rushing yards in 2025 and led the Dolphins with 67 receptions. His dual-threat ability and breakaway speed would make him an intriguing partner for Miami's new, hyper-mobile quarterback,Malik Willis.

JAYLEN WADDLE TRADE GRADES:Who won deal between Dolphins and Broncos?

Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets

The Jets placed the franchise tag on Hall to ensure he would remain with the team for the 2026 NFL season. To keep him beyond that, New York will need to extend the 24-year-old, who is coming off his first-ever 1,000-yard rushing season.

Hall has averaged 1,260 scrimmage yards per season with the Jets and will provide key support for whichever young quarterback New York taps to be its eventual successor toGeno Smith.

Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons

Pitts is the third key member of the Falcons offense who may need a big-money extension this offseason. The 2021 first-round pick broke out at the end of the 2025 season, posting a career-best 88 catches to go with 928 yards and five touchdowns and developing into a mismatch nightmare.

Atlanta slapped Pitts with the franchise tagto ensure he would stay another season with the team. Now, the Falcons will have to decide whether to extend him or first see if he can replicate his late-season success during Kevin Stefanski's first season with the club.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:NFL contract extension candidates: Which players could cash in next?

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March 18, 2026

Which NFL stars will cash in next? 13 candidates for massive contract extensions

The most expensive part of2026 NFL free agencyis now in the books, and the league's 32 teams doled outnearly $4 billi...

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March Madness live bracket updates, scores: First Four continues with Miami (Ohio) vs. SMU

The 64-team first-round field ofMarch Madnesswill be decided Tuesday night with the conclusion of theFirst Four.

The evening started with No. 16 seeds Prairie View A&M and Lehigh vying for the chance to take on the defending NCAA tournament champion Florida Gators.Prairie View A&M pulled away in the second halfthanks to Dontae Horne's 25 points, 7 rebounds and 4 steals to earn the Panthers their first-ever NCAA tourney win.

Closing out the First Four on Wednesday night: Miami (OH) Redhawks takes on the SMU Mustangs. The winner will face No. 6 Tennessee in the first round. The Redhawks will certainly draw plenty of eyes after securing an at-large bid to the tournament following a 31-1 campaign and first-place finish (18-0 record) in the MAC. But still, they remain largely unproven withjust a single top-100 victoryback in January thanks to a soft schedule.

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Yahoo Fantasy Bracket Mayhem: Make your picks for $50K in total prizes

Lehigh (-3.5) and SMU (-7.5) were favored to advance to the first round at BetMGM. In case you're wondering, yes,we did have AI pick every game in the men's tournament, and Claude is giving the edge to Lehigh and Miami (Ohio).

TheHoward Bison and Texas Longhorns each secured their bidsto the first round on Tuesday.

Men's First Four schedule, how to watch March Madness

Miami (OH) vs. SMU start time:9:15 p.m. ETTV channel/live stream:TruTV

Follow along with Yahoo Sports as the First Four continues Wednesday night with Prairie View A&M vs. Lehigh and Miami (OH) vs. SMU.

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March 18, 2026

March Madness live bracket updates, scores: First Four continues with Miami (Ohio) vs. SMU

The 64-team first-round field ofMarch Madnesswill be decided Tuesday night with the conclusion of theFirst Four. ...

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Arrest made in death of Iowa real estate agent who was killed during an open house in 2011

An Iowa woman was arrested in connection with the death of a real estate agent whose killing nearly 15 years ago sent shock waves through the state and haunted realtors, authorities said Wednesday.

Kristin Ramsey was indicted by a grand jury on a charge of first-degree murder in the April 8, 2011, killing of Ashley Okland, West Des Moines Assistant Police Chief Jody Hayes told reporters.

"Ashley's story has kept many of us awake at night revisiting details over and over in our minds, searching for that missing piece that would tie everything together and lead us down the right path to identifying a person hat was responsible for this act," Hayes said.

Dallas County, Iowa, jail records show Ramsey, 53, was booked Tuesday and is being held in lieu of $2 million cash bail.

It was not immediately clear if she has a lawyer to speak on her behalf. A message left on a phone number listed under a relative's name was not immediately returned.

No other arrests are expected, Hayes said. He declined to provide additional investigative details, including a possible motive or what evidence led to Ramsey's arrest, citing the the judicial process.

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Okland's killing shocked Iowa, Hayes said, and "haunted a very frightened community of professional realtors who have forever changed how they conduct open houses."

Okland, 27, was killed while working at an open house in a West Des Moines townhouse development,officials have previously said.

Okland was found by an employee of the development company after she was shot inside a model home, according to asummary of the case published by Iowa Cold Cases, a nonprofit organization that compiles information on unsolved killings.

The employee dialed 911 and Okland was later pronounced dead at a local hospital, according to the summary.

In a statement during the news conference, Okland's younger sister said her family had lost "hope in finding answers and having any justice for Ashley. It was really difficult to accept that the case had gone cold."

She thanked law enforcement and described their work on the case "as a true gift from God that we feel fortunate to be touched by."

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March 18, 2026

Arrest made in death of Iowa real estate agent who was killed during an open house in 2011

An Iowa woman was arrested in connection with the death of a real estate agent whose killing nearly 15 years ago sent sho...

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