DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Senate has passed a bill that would ban mental health providers in Iowa from practicing therapy aimed at converting the sexual orientation of a minor. The bill would prohibit a licensed mental health provider from offering therapy that attempts to change the sexual orientation of a person under 18 years old. It now heads to the House, where it’s unclear what kind of support it will get.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Des Moines Water Works lawsuit against three counties over high nitrate levels in rivers is symbolic of intensifying efforts by environmental groups to treat agriculture like other industries long held accountable for environmental pollution. The Water Works board filed its lawsuit against three counties which oversee drainage systems that remove water from farm fields. The water utility says drainage water often carries nitrates that must be removed to keep drinking water safe. County supervisors in Buena Vista, Calhoun and Sac are named because they manage 10 drainage districts which the lawsuit says should be required to obtain federal water pollution discharge permits.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Senate committee has approved a bill that would offer additional preschool funding for 4-year-olds in Iowa who have limited proficiency in English. The legislation would provide additional funding for students with limited proficiency in English who are enrolled in the statewide preschool program. Sen. Liz Mathis, a Democrat from Robins leading the bill, says it would cost the state about $800,000 in the fiscal year that begins July 1, 2016.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s unemployment rate dropped to 4.2 percent in January from 4.3 percent in December. State officials say Iowa added 3,100 nonfarm jobs from December to January, with the state’s trade, transportation and utilities sector alone gaining 2,200.