A flurry of high-level negotiations at the statehouse on Wednesday may have yielded a tentative agreement on how to resolve the impasse over state funding of public schools. According to the Facebook post of an eastern Iowa legislator, the tentative deal would give K-through-12 schools a one-and-a-quarter percent increase in general state aide for the next school year — the Republican bargaining position since January — along with a one-time boost of 55-million dollars in state support — so the total amount of new money for schools would equal what Democrats in the legislature had been seeking.

Brian Schoenjahn — a Democrat from Arlington — is a former educator who leads a subcommittee that’s been wrestling with education funding issues. “From our perspective it is absolutely necessary to keep our rural schools open,” Schoenjahn says. “I think this is serious funding.”

School officials, by state law, had to certify their districts’ budgets for the next school year by April 30th. Since legislators had failed to make the decision on school funding by then, Iowa superintendents issued more than 11-hundred layoff notices to teachers and staff last week.

(Radio Iowa)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A proposal that would legalize more fireworks sales in the state has moved forward in the Iowa Senate. The legislation won approval in the Senate Ways and Means Committee in a 9-6 vote Wednesday. Under the proposal, retailers could sell firecrackers, roman candles and other fireworks. Currently, the state allows sales of sparklers or snakes.

Supporters argued that the legislation would better regulate activity that is happening anyway, noting that Iowa residents are already going to border states to buy fireworks. But critics questioned the safety impact, saying there would be more fires and injuries. The bill will next move to the full Senate for consideration.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A 39-year-old man accused of attempted murder has been taken into custody after escaping from an Omaha hospital where he was being treated for stab wounds.  Bluffs Police report David Leroy McKee, of Council Bluffs, left CHI Creighton Hospital sometime between 2-and 2:40-p.m., Wednesday. At the time he was being transported to another area of the hospital for care of injuries he suffered during a stabbing incident Sunday evening.

McKee was apprehended in the vicinity of 42nd and Hamilton Streets in Omaha, and transported back to Creighton, where he was released from their care and then booked into the Douglas County, NE., Jail on warrants for attempted murder, first-degree burglary and felony domestic abuse assault.  He’s currently awaiting extradition back to Pottawattamie County.

McKee was charged after police investigated a report of a man threatening his estranged wife and another woman. McKee was stabbed with a kitchen knife by Roberta McKee after he allegedly tried to choke her to death. The other woman was not injured.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors will meet 8-a.m. Monday, May 11th, to canvass the results of the May 5th Special Election, in Griswold. Voters on Tuesday approved by a vote of 28-to 4 to change the Griswold Mayor’s term from four-years to two-years. A canvass of those votes will be held in the Supervisor’s Board Room at the Cass County Courthouse.

A public hearing will be held Thursday evening in Walnut, with regard to a proposed amendment to the current Fiscal Year (2014-15) budget. Following the hearing, which begins just after 5-p.m., the Council will vote to adopt a Resolution calling for the amendment of the current Fiscal Year budget.

In other business, the Walnut City Council will: discuss a possible Streetscape enhancement project; Continue discussion with regard to the possible acquisition of the Walnut School building; Discuss proposed improvements to the Veterans’ Memorial Park; and accept the resignation of intern Marye (Mary) Bierbaum (beer-bawm).

The Council will also discuss the Optimist’s Antique City Car Show, a contract with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Department for continued law enforcement services, and the possible demolition of the water plant, along with other City Maintenance matters.

A man who was arrested for allegedly trying to kill his estranged wife is missing, and police need your help to find him. According to Omaha television reports, 39-year old David McKee, who was being treated in Omaha at CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center, left the hospital today (Wednesday). He was apparently left unguarded.

David McKee was stabbed by Roberta McKee, as he allegedly tried to strangle her to death Sunday evening. The incident occurred after David McKee broke out a window to gain entry to a home near 36th Street and Second Avenue. He was critically injured initially, but his condition had been upgraded to fair condition on Wednesday morning.

David McKee faces charges that include attempted murder, 1st degree burglary and felony domestic assault.