DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A safety research organization is urging Iowa to toughen its rules for teenager driver’s licenses. The Des Moines Register reports that the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says a study shows Iowa could more than halve its rate of fatal teen accidents if a stronger driver’s license law were adopted. The institute says Iowa should increase its licensing age to 17 years old from the current 16. And the institute suggests Iowa not issue instructional permits until someone reaches age 16 instead of the current 14.

Two lawmakers and the state’s chief highway safety expert said Monday that it would be difficult to adopt tougher teen driver rules in Iowa, where many teenagers in rural communities rely on cars and pickups to drive to school, work and other activities.

BOONE, Iowa (AP) – Attorneys are expected to deliver their opening statements Tuesday in the second Iowa trial of a man accused of killing his former roommate in 2009.  The Messenger reports that a Boone County jury was seated Monday for the trial of 55-year-old John Green. Green is charged with first-degree murder in the death of 58-year-old Mark Koster in Sac City.

Green’s first trial was held in Webster County because his attorney had argued that pretrial publicity would make it impossible for Green to receive a fair trial in Sac City. The same argument was used against holding the second trial in Fort Dodge. The first trial ended in a mistrial.

Koster was declared missing in 2010. His remains were found in the basement of his Sac City home in 2012.

A woman and female teenager from Red Oak were arrested Monday night, on drug charges. The Red Oak P-D says 18-year old Cara Belle Hale, and 16-year old Clara Lianne Hebb were taken into custody at around 9:30-p.m. near the intersection of Broadway and Oak Streets. Hale faces charges that include Possession of a Controlled Substance, OWI/Drugged and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Her bond was set at $1,000. Hebb was cited for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and subsequently released to the custody of her parents.

WOODBINE, Iowa (AP) — A western Iowa man accused of confining his girlfriend and psychologically torturing her has been arrested. Online court records on Monday listed a first-degree kidnapping charge against 50-year-old Daniel Yate, of Woodbine. He was detained after his girlfriend told police last week that he assaulted her at his home and wouldn’t let her leave.

Woodbine Police Chief Michael Jensen says the girlfriend accused Yates of binding her and threatening to throw her in a nearby river. The girlfriend says Yates also sat on her chest and opened and closed a knife.

Records show the woman had injuries consistent with her allegations and a hospital visit revealed a broken rib.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press