DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — House Republicans have pushed through a large proposed cut in education spending. Yesterday, they approved a $775 million schools budget — $36 million less than the current one. The matter is far from settled as Senate Democrats have a school spending plan that is $115 million larger than the House measure.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Almost a dozen bus drivers in large Iowa school districts either face charges or have been convicted in the past decade of serious traffic offenses or criminal convictions. The charges included drunken driving and operating a vehicle with a suspended license. A review of public records in the Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Sioux City and Dubuque districts show most drivers had clean records or minor traffic violations.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Governors or lieutenant governors from at least four states, including Iowa, are planning to tour the remaining operational Beef Products plant to show support for the company. The plant produces the low-cost beef filler known as “pink slime” that has come under public scrutiny. A company spokesman says officials from Texas, South Dakota and Nebraska also will tour the South Sioux City, Nebraska, plant Thursday.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An inmate serving a 25-year prison sentence for criminal transmission of HIV has died of heart disease. The Iowa Department of Corrections says 48-year-old Darrell John Alderton died Sunday in Iowa City. Alderton initially went to jail after being arrested in May 2005 for sexually assaulting a 16-year-old boy.