Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Closing some of Iowa’s four state mental hospitals might be needed, but people who work in the field warn that any changes should be made carefully. The Des Moines Register reports Governor Terry Branstad said last month he plans to close state mental institutions at Clarinda and Mount Pleasant and move any remaining patients to the other two state institutions this summer.

SOUTH SIOUX CITY, Neb. (AP) — South Sioux City is still waiting for nearly $1.4 million in reimbursement from state and federal agencies almost four years after extensive flooding along the Missouri River. The Sioux City Journal reports city officials are still working to finish up the last paperwork needed to obtain reimbursement for flood-related expenses.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A new downtown Sioux City casino has announced plans to convert a grass-covered outdoor spot into a hard surface that will be used for outdoor events, such as concerts, as well as more parking. The Sioux City Journal reports that the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in downtown Sioux City plans new landscaping, decorative street lamps, a beer garden, an expanded restaurant patio and a barrier to control concert noise also are part of the $850,000 project awaiting city approval.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Two Californians are accused of using fake credit cards and identification in a scheme to defraud Iowa banks and credit unions. The Sioux City Journal reports the 45-year-old man and 53-year-old woman were arrested Thursday.

A trio of area school district Boards of Education are set to meet Monday evening. In Anita, the CAM School Board meeting gets underway at 5:30-p.m., in the High School Media Center. On their agenda is a report on Assessment data, along with a discussion of questions posed by the Adair-Casey School Board,who sent sent letters to neighboring districts with regard to possible Whole Grade Sharing opportunities (The Adair-Casey Board is set to meet Wednesday evening to the discuss related matters).

The CAM School Board will also: Set the time & date for a public hearing on an early start date for the 2015-16 school year; act on…a Driver’s Education contract & student fees, audit bids; and receive the CAM Education Association’s opening proposal. The Board will hold an exempt session for negotiations, prior to adjourning for the evening.

The Griswold School Board is set to meet at 5:45-p.m., in the Central Office Board Room. On their agenda is action on: The second reading of Board Policies;a Fully Automated Timing System (FAT) for the track; Lawn Chemical application bids; Lawn mowing specifications; the 20-15-16 School Calendar; Sports lighting bids; and, Insurance specifications. They’ll also hold a Financial Work Session for discussion purposes only.

And, in Elk Horn, the Exira-EHK School Board will meet beginning at 7-p.m., Monday, in the Family and Consumer Science room at the High School. Action items include: Contracts with Tony Santisteban – Boy’s Varsity Track Coach, and Kelli Nielsen, Asst. Varsity Track Coach; Administrative matters (Including the Modified Allowable Growth/Dropout Prevention budget, and a Budget Guarantee for the 2015-16 School Year), and approval of the Baseball Scoreboard.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Two Californians are accused of using fake credit cards and identification in a scheme to defraud Iowa banks and credit unions. The Sioux City Journal reports the 45-year-old man and 53-year-old woman were arrested Thursday. Both face several forgery charges and one charge each of ongoing criminal conduct.

Court documents say the pair visited two credit unions in Sioux City and requested $9,800 cash advances on credit cards. When the bank called to verify the credit card, an accomplice would provide answers.

When police searched the car they rented, the pair had a map of credit unions throughout Iowa. Authorities say the pair had attempted to get cash from Iowa credit unions and banks more than 100 times in the past three weeks.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Closing some of Iowa’s four state mental hospitals might be needed, but people who work in the field warn that any changes should be made carefully.  Gov. Terry Branstad said last month he plans to close state mental institutions at Clarinda and Mount Pleasant and move any remaining patients to the other two state institutions this summer.

Ron Honberg with the National Alliance on Mental Illness told the Des Moines Register it can be dangerous to close facilities like this quickly. Suzanne Watson is CEO of the new, nine-county Southwest Iowa Mental Health and Disabilities Region. She hopes to open a crisis center by the time the Clarinda hospital closes, but she would like to have more time to prepare.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Even as lawmakers work through Gov. Terry Branstad’s latest proposal to expand broadband Internet in Iowa, officials and service providers say the effort will last for years and cost far more than the $5 million now under discussion. Supporters of Branstad’s legislation say it’s intended to bring attention and jumpstart work on a long-term broadband expansion the governor believes is vital to ensuring Iowa’s rural economy remains competitive as the nation relies more heavily on technology.

Under Branstad’s bill, Robert von Wolffradt, the state’s chief information officer, will oversee a grant program to help service providers with costs. Von Wolffradt says the $5 million program never was intended to pay for all Iowa’s broadband needs. Service providers say Branstad’s bill would help with an initiative that’s been ongoing for years.