Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa lawyers won’t have to pay a new $100 annual fee to help low-income people afford legal representation. Chief Justice Mark Cady says the Iowa Supreme Court will not assess the fee on lawyers to fund Iowa Legal Aid. Supporters said there was a great need for more low-income legal assistance. But critics said the fees unfairly singled out their profession and would hurt younger lawyers saddled with law school debt.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Democratic lawmakers are proposing a significant boost to school aid for the coming academic year. Leaders in the Democratic-majority Senate say they will try to increase funding by over $200 million for the next school year. That’s more than double the amount sought by Gov. Terry Branstad and Republican lawmakers who control the state House. Both proposals include dollars already dedicated to a teacher training program.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa lawmakers are getting behind an effort to preserve farmland in the state. Sen. Joe Bolkcom, a Democrat from Iowa City, and Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, a Republican from Wilton, said Tuesday they would serve on an advisory board to the new Sustainable Iowa Land Trust. The organization seeks to preserve land in Iowa for farming and to make it more affordable for beginning farmers.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad has chosen Beth Townsend to serve as director of Iowa Workforce Development. Townsend has been serving in the role in an interim capacity since the previous director retired last month. The appointment must now be confirmed by the Iowa Senate. Former director Teresa Wahlert retired last month.

Police in Council Bluffs are investigating the circumstances surrounding a stabbing incident. Officers were called to the area of 8th Street and Creek Top at around 1:20-p.m., Tuesday, in an attempt to locate a possible victim of a stabbing. When they arrived at the scene and located the victim, 44-year old Jackie Henry, a transient, the man refused to give officers information about the incident. Officers did observe a small stab wound to Henry’s lower right side. The man was transported to Jennie Edmundson Hospital for treatment to his injuries. The investigation will continue as information arises.

The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, will consider a request from the Nishna Valley Trails group for $50,000 in funding, for the organization’s latest project. The funds, if approved, would be combined with $50,000 from the County (if approved), and would amount to less than 16-percent of the NVT’s fundraising goals. Dave Chase, one of the leaders of the organization, will appear before the Council during their 5:30-p.m. meeting at City Hall to explain the reason for the request and how the funds will be used.  The City of Atlantic’s Community Promotion Commission will consider a request from NVT for $10,000, during the Commission’s meeting at Noon, on Thursday.

The Atlantic City Council will also act on Resolutions pertaining to: The authorizing of bids for the 2015 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project; Accepting easements for the 19th Street Expansion and Turnabout Project; Approving a Change Order for additional services for 2015 Street Improvement projects; and, the setting of the date for a Public Hearing on an Urban Renewal Plan amendment.

A single vehicle accident was reported this (Tuesday) morning just before 9-30 in Montgomery County on 110th street near the home at 23-81 110th Street. Upon arrival by emergency personnel a pick up truck owned by Lance Kinser of Lyman was found in the south ditch facing southeast.

The vehicle had been driven by Carrie Kinser also of Lyman and had been traveling west on 110th street. The vehicle crossed the center line and had entered the south ditch where it overturned and came to rest in the position it was found. Kinser was still in the vehicle at the time and was determined she had lost consciousness for a period of time following the accident and had regained consciousness and was complaining of head,wrist and leg pain.

Following extrication Kinser was transported to Montgomery County Hospital by Red Oak Rescue and later transported by medical helicopter to University of Nebraska Medical Center for further treatment of her injuries. The severity of her injuries is not known at this time. The truck sustained 4-thousand dollars in damage and was considered a total loss.

Personnel from Elliott Fire Department; Grant Fire Department and the Red Oak Fire and Rescue assisted with the accident. The investigation into the accident is continuing and charges are possible as a result of the accident.