Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Senate panel is giving preliminary backing to a bill that would exempt military pensions from the state income tax. A Senate subcommittee approved the legislation during a brief hearing yesterday. The military pension exemption is a top priority for Republican Governor Terry Branstad, who has made support for veterans a key part of his budget plan this year.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Former residents and employees of the Iowa Juvenile Home testified before a legislative panel and urged lawmakers to support a measure that would force officials to reopen the facility that closed last week. Those testifying Wednesday before the Senate Human Resources Committee told lawmakers they tried to create a safe environment for teens at the Toledo, Iowa home which closed January 15th.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Board of Regents is appealing a district court’s decision to reinstate Iowa State basketball player Bubu Palo to the team. The Des Moines Register reports the Iowa Attorney General’s Office filed a motion yesterday on behalf of the board that seeks an immediate stay of a Webster County district judge’s recent order to let Palo rejoin the team.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Nik Stauskas scored 26 points, and Number 21 Michigan held off 10th ranked Iowa 75-67 last night to remain unbeaten in the Big Ten. Aaron White scored 14 of Iowa’s points in a row down the stretch, but it wasn’t enough to rally the Hawkeyes from an 11-point deficit.