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Iowa early News Headlines: Friday, Jan. 5th 2018

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January 5th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:30 a.m. CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — With Powerball and Mega Millions lottery games offering huge jackpots, some winners will face enormous tax bills. Lowered federal income tax rates offer some relief, as the top rate would drop from 39.6 percent to 37 percent. But in most states, that is offset by new limits on deducting state taxes from federal taxes. There are exceptions, as 10 states don’t tax lottery winnings. Friday’s Mega Millions game has a $445 million jackpot. The Powerball game’s top prize Saturday is $550 million.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — An Arizona man who was arrested, transported cross-country and jailed for a robbery that he didn’t commit filed a lawsuit against the Iowa county and prosecutor responsible for charging him. Joseph McBride spent two months in custody after authorities arrested in Phoenix in August. McBride was among three people charged for a home invasion in his former hometown of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, even though he had proof he was far away. Investigators never spoke with him before his arrest.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Kim Reynolds says she followed the law when she tapped emergency funds last year to offset a budget shortfall. Reynolds said “yes” to reporters Thursday when asked if she followed the law in transferring $13 million from a reserve fund. Democratic Rep. Chris Hall claims in a lawsuit the Republican governor illegally transferred the money because certain conditions weren’t met. Reynolds says the suit is politically motivated. She spoke at a legislative forum hosted by The Associated Press.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — The trial of a Dubuque man accused of stabbing to death his girlfriend is scheduled to begin Monday. Court records say 25-year-old Fontae Buelow has pleaded not guilty to charges of cocaine possession and first-degree murder. He’s accused of killing 21-year-old Samantha Link on March 31 at a home in Dubuque. He’s told officers she assaulted him as they argued on March 31 and then stabbed herself in the stomach.