DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — In Iowa, adoptive parents are closely watching a bill in the Legislature that would expand some time-off entitlements when they bring a child home. The legislation would essentially require an employer that offers some forms of paid time off or other entitlements for the birth of a child to do the same for an employee who’s adopted a child in the past 12 months.

The Senate passed the measure Thursday. Rep. Joel Fry, a Republican from Osceola, is seeking bipartisan support in the House. Most people in the country rely on private benefits or unpaid leave through federal law for the birth or adoption of a child. Iowa could become one of the only states requiring some time-off entitlements for adoptive parents.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An Iowa man was killed in a two-vehicle crash while his brother was driving this weekend, and four others were hurt. Police say the crash happened shortly after 1 a.m. Sunday,  in northeast Omaha. A Chevrolet Impala was struck by a Buick Lucerne in the intersection of 30th and Lake streets. The Chevrolet, which was driving faster than the 30 mph limit, spun and hit a metal pole.

21-year old Nickales Bywater of Pacific Junction, was riding in the backseat of the Chevrolet before the crash. He was critically hurt and died at the hospital. The Chevrolet was driven by 19-year-old Jordan Bywater of Council Bluffs. He and two other people were injured in the crash.

A passenger in the Buick sustained minor injuries and the driver wasn’t hurt.

One person was killed and two others, all from southeast Iowa were injured, during a crash early this (Sunday) morning east of Stanton, in Montgomery County. The Iowa State Patrol says the driver of a 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora, 23-year old Brandon L. Perez, of Ft. Madison, who was wearing a seat belt, died in the crash just west of Viking Lake State Park. Two passengers, 30-year old Hilary J. Knox, and a 3-year old child, both from Ft. Madison, were ejected from the vehicle as it rolled over. Neither were wearing their seat belts. Both were flown by LifeNet Helicopter to hospitals in Nebraska. Knox was flown to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, while the child was flown to Childrens Methodist Hospital.

The Patrol says the car was traveling west on Highway 34 near Q Avenue at around 2:10-a.m., when the wheels slipped off onto the shoulder. Perez over-corrected, causing the vehicle to cross the road and enter the south ditch where it rolled several times before coming to rest on its top.

Alcohol is believed to have played a role in the crash, which remains under investigation.

Five people suffered minor injuries Saturday, when two vehicles, one of them a Red Oak Police cruiser, collided at around 3:45-p.m. The Red Oak Police Department reports Reserve Police Officer Colin M. Weaver was traveling east on Highway 34 near the intersection with Eastern Avenue, when he saw a vehicle going in the opposite direction commit a traffic infraction. When Weaver attempted to negotiate a U-turn to initiate a traffic stop, the 2010 Ford Crown Victoria he was driving collided with a 200o Ford Focus that was traveling behind him that was driven by Angela Booker, of Stanton.

Four people in the Focus were transported to the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital for examination of possible, minor injuries. They were treated and later released. Reserve Officer Weaver was also transported to the hospital for examination of possible, minor injuries and toxicology screenings. He was also, later released.

Both vehicles sustained disabling damage during the collision, and will most likely be deemed a total loss. Red Oak Fire and Rescue and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene. The accident remains under investigation, by the Iowa State Patrol.

The Cass County Health System will continue with its ” Healthy U” lunch series on Thursday, March 26th with “Metabolic Syndrome: What You Need to Know. Tammy Birline, ARNP and Emily Krengel, Registered Dietician, both with CCHS,  will present the program. Tammy says “We’ll discuss the risk factors and complications for Metabolic Syndrome as well as diet and lifestyle changes that can make an impact on your health.”

Metabolic Syndrome is a group of medical conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Typically, it involves high blood pressure, high blood sugar level, excess body fat, and high cholesterol levels. According to the American Heart Association, “Individuals with metabolic syndrome have about a two-fold increase in risk for heart attack or stroke when compared with individuals who do not have metabolic syndrome.”

Healthy U is a free lunch series that focuses on a different health topic each month. Attendees receive a free lunch in addition to an educational program presented by medical professionals. Future topics include podiatry, caring for children, dementia, and joint health. The lunch program will be held at noon March 26th in Conference Room 2 at CCHS. For more information, or to make a reservation for the March 26th Healthy U, call 712-243-7479.

Authorities in Pottawattamie County say a Council Bluffs man was arrested Thursday on attempted murder and other charges. The Daily NonPareil says according to Council Bluffs Police Department records, 54-year old Christopher C. McNeal, of Council Bluffs, was taken into custody at 6:10-p.m. Thursday at his residence, on a warrant for attempted murder, willful injury causing serious bodily injury, assault and first-degree burglary.

No other details were released.