DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa’s chief justice is expected to address the Legislature in the annual “state of the judiciary” address. Chief Justice Mark Cady of the Iowa Supreme Court is scheduled to speak Wednesday morning before a joint session at the Capitol.

Gov. Terry Branstad’s proposed budget shows the judicial branch is requesting more than $182 million for the fiscal year that begins July 1. That’s an increase of more than $8 million over the current year. In past speeches, Cady has emphasized the importance of securing the money. He has said it helps the state’s court system improve efficiency and attract the best employees.

DES MOINES, Iowa – It’s been a steadily changing trend in Iowa – and more often, there’s a focus on the future and quality of life in residential construction and renovations. According to Siobhan Spain, program director for the Best Development Awards, at 1000 Friends of Iowa, the state has one of the largest housing stocks in need of attention in the nation. The group now is honoring those communities and residents addressing the issue with an eye on social, economic and environmental sustainability.

“These ‘smart growth’ principles that we acknowledge in the winners this year really understand the connection between residential and the community,” she said. “And they really inspire the community that they can really make a change for the better.”

Among the winners of this year’s Best Development Awards is Madison Flats in Des Moines, an apartment building on a formerly contaminated site that’s hoped to spark further development in that neighborhood.

Other awards for commercial, civic and mixed-use developments went to projects in Slater, Stanton, West Union and Woodbine. Spain noted that this was the first year of recognizing stormwater management, which can be key in flood mitigation. “That went to the Green Alley program up in Dubuque,” she said. “So, that’s exciting and that’s really great to be able to acknowledge wonderful projects that are happening in Iowa that focus on flood management and wastewater.”

Spain said Dubuque’s 12-phase, 20-year project retrofits alley infrastructure within the Bee Branch Watershed with what is known as “pervious” pavement. It allows stormwater to soak into the ground, reducing runoff by up to 80 percent. Award information is online at new.1000friendsofiowa.org.

(Iowa News Service)

A Villisca woman who was arrested early Tuesday morning for a drug-related OWI, was arrested again late Tuesday afternoon, on a charge of Theft in the 4th Degree. Red Oak Police say 21-year old Amanda Lee Smith was taken into custody just before 5-p.m. at 106 W. CoolBaugh Street. Smith was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $1,000 bond.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

STORM LAKE, Iowa (AP) — A northwest Iowa woman has been convicted of charges she pretended to be a nurse to obtain prescription drugs to sell. Police say 30-year-old Kayleen Leedahl, of Royal, pleaded guilty to three counts of felony obtaining or attempting to obtain a prescription drug by deceit. Court documents say she will also pleaded guilty to five misdemeanor counts of the same charge. Police and court documents state Leedahl posed as a nurse over a nearly four month period in 2013.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — An eastern Iowa man has been arrested after allegedly bringing two teenage girls to Chicago from Iowa and forcing them into prostitution. Prosecutors say 18-year-old Ferid Mahalbasic, of Waterloo, is charged with involuntary sexual servitude of a minor and involuntary servitude. Prosecutors say Mahalbasic convinced the girls, age 17 and 18, to post ads online promising sexual acts in exchange for money.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration wants to provide greater access to fast broadband service in towns and cities across the country by encouraging the Federal Communications Commission to remove legal barriers to competition by Internet service providers. It also wants to help local communities improve their service with government loans and grants. The modest proposals do not require congressional approval and are part of a series of measures President Barack Obama is rolling out before his State of the Union address next week. Obama will be in Cedar Falls, Iowa, on Wednesday to detail his broadband plans.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa Workforce Development administrative law judge has filed a lawsuit against the state, former IWD Director Teresa Wahlert and other administrators alleging retaliation and defamation. Susan Ackerman was one of several judges to criticize Wahlert’s management at a legislative government oversight committee hearing last year. It is the third lawsuit from former IWD employees naming Wahlert, who retired suddenly on Friday.

Gov. E. Terry Branstad today (Tuesday) signed a proclamation directing a special election to be held on Feb. 10, 2015, for Iowa House District 23, following the resignation of Mark Costello who won a special election for the Iowa State Senate. Costello replaced U.S. Senator Joni Ernst in the Iowa State Senate.

House District 23 is comprised of Fremont, Mills and a portion of Montgomery County. The district
includes the communities of Glenwood, Hamburg, Malvern, Pacific Junction Red Oak, Sidney and Tabor.

A full district map can be found here: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/DOCS/DistrictMaps/2013/House/House%20District%2023.pdf