DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Officials have revoked an online lender’s Iowa license over allegations of exorbitant interest rates. The Iowa Superintendent of Banking said Monday that CashCall Inc. must pay $1.5 million in restitution costs and stop lending money to Iowa residents. The state’s Division of Banking says the settlement offers restitution for more than 3,400 illegal loans by the company.

The California-based CashCall was accused of charging borrowers illegally high interest rates. Officials say that violated state lending laws. As part of the agreement, CashCall neither admits nor denies wrongdoing. The company has tried to argue that its lending activity is beyond Iowa’s jurisdictional reach because it originated through another company that offered loans on an Indian reservation in South Dakota.

The driver of a car that struck a building in Audubon, Friday afternoon, was transported to the hospital and cited for Failure to Maintain Control. The Audubon County Sheriff’s Department reports 65-year old Ruth Elaine Young, of Audubon, was attempting to park in a diagonal parking space at around 2:20-p.m.,  when she stepped on the accelerator pedal instead of the brake.

Her 1997 Infiniti drove over  a curb and struck the side of the Community Insurance building, causing $8,000 damage to the business and $6,000 damage to the car. Young was transported to the Audubon County Hospital by Audubon Fire and Rescue.

Three northern Iowa girls who reported a possible abduction attempt have admitted to police in Corwith the story was a hoax. KCCI-TV said the story about a man who was following the girls around a park sparked a statewide alert about another attempted abduction, but in follow-up interviews the girls admitted it didn’t really happen.

Authorities said filing a false report can result in criminal charges, but no charges have been filed in this one so far.

Two people were arrested for allegedly driving while under the influence Friday, in Cass County. The Sheriff’s Dept. reports 24-year old Justin Dale Hardisty, of Cumberland, was arrested on charges of OWI/ 3rd or Subsequent Offense, and Driving While Barred. Hardisty was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remained held today (Monday) on $7,000 bond.

And, 36-year old Kelly Monta Watson,  of Omaha, NE, was arrested Friday on charges of OWI/1st Offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Watson was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released the following day on $1,000 bond.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – First Lady Michelle Obama will appear in Des Moines Friday to campaign for Democratic Senate candidate Bruce Braley. Braley spokesman Jeff Giertz said Sunday that Obama and Braley will attend a rally at Drake University Friday afternoon. The event will stress the importance of early voting in the competitive Iowa Senate race.

Braley, a four-term congressman from Waterloo, is locked a tight race against Republican Joni Ernst, a state lawmaker and officer in the Iowa National Guard from Red Oak. They are vying for the seat held by retiring Democratic Senator Tom Harkin.

Republicans are hoping to win in Iowa in their drive for the six-seat gain they need to grab the Senate majority. Obama has been stumping for Democrats in a number of tight races around the country.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad and top aides say they weren’t aware that a former state official was gay when the governor asked him to resign and cut his pay. In affidavits filed last week, Branstad, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds and four aides said Christopher Godfrey wasn’t singled out because of sexual orientation.

Godfrey, the state’s former workers’ compensation commissioner, is suing over what he calls their heavy-handed and illegal attempts to force his resignation. After he declined, the governor cut Godfrey’s pay by $40,000, to the lowest allowed for the position. Godfrey’s lawsuit alleges discrimination based on sexual orientation, extortion and defamation.

Godfrey’s attorney has filed a motion arguing that Branstad’s lawyer has a conflict and should be removed. The affidavits are part of an attempt to defeat that motion.

In an update to our story Sunday morning (and earlier today) about a rollover accident Sunday in Cass County, authorities say a Montgomery County man was arrested on a charge of OWI/1st offense. 22-year old Timothy Alan Carlson, of Elliott, was also cited for Failure to Maintain Control.

Sheriff’s officials say the accident happened on Osage Road just west of 550th Street southwest of Lewis, at around 1:38-a.m. A Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy arrived to find a 2003 Ford F-250 pickup that had rolled several times before coming to rest in a farm field. The driver – identified as Carlson – was examined at the scene by Griswold Rescue personnel, but refused transport the hospital.

Carlson was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released later that day on his own recognizance. Damage to Carlson’s vehicle is estimated at $10,000. Damage to crops in the field is estimated at $250.