DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa courthouses have a variety of security features, with about half banning guns and fewer providing secure areas for judges and staff to work outside courtrooms.     A gun incident in March at the Madison County Courthouse has sparked another push from the Iowa State Bar Association for upgraded security procedures at courthouses statewide. The group published a report on the issue in 2005.

The Des Moines Register reports a review show a majority of courthouses lack safety features recommended by the bar association. Those features include metal detectors or entryways that are monitored by deputies.

Guy Cook, a Des Moines attorney and president of the bar association, says a lack of basic security such as restricted entrances has the potential to create dangerous situations.

SIDNEY, Iowa (AP) – A southwest Iowa pastor has pleaded not guilty to charges he sexually abused a 5-year-old girl. The Omaha World-Herald reports 66-year-old Roger C. Kissel, of Sidney, pleaded not guilty to second-degree sexual abuse, lascivious acts and indecent exposure.

When he was arrested in February, Kissel was a pastor at the nondenominational Sidney Cowboy Church. Sidney Police Chief Austin Richardson says the allegations aren’t connected with the church. The crimes are alleged to have occurred over several months in 2013.

Kissel posted bond and has been released from the Fremont County Jail.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

MERRILL, Iowa (AP) – A company has purchased a former corn oil plant in northwest Iowa with the intention of starting it up again. Prairie Sun Foods LLC purchased the former Plymouth Oil plant for $3 million. The sale includes all the equipment in the plant and the acreage on which it sits. Company officials say the plant will produce food-grade corn oil and gluten-free corn germ flour. Up to 30 employees will be hired, including some former Plymouth Oil workers.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Public Radio is asking for additional funding from the state’s three public universities, a departure from a plan to become financially independent of them. Documents released Tuesday show IPR is asking the Board of Regents to approve $945,000 in funding for the budget year beginning July 1. The regents will consider the request next week.

SIDNEY, Iowa (AP) – A southwest Iowa pastor has pleaded not guilty to charges he sexually abused a 5-year-old girl. Sixty-six-year-old Roger C. Kissel of Sidney pleaded not guilty to second-degree sexual abuse, lascivious acts and indecent exposure. The crimes are alleged to have occurred over several months in 2013.

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (AP) – An Alliant Energy official says the utility has received the necessary permits for a power plant in Marshalltown and expects to begin construction this summer. Alliant, with Iowa operations based in Cedar Rapids, previously said its planned natural gas-powered plant will cost roughly $750 million and generate about 600 megawatts of electricity.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A bill meant to further relieve the financial stress of disabled veterans in the state has won the unanimous support of the Iowa Senate.  The Senate voted 50-0 Tuesday to expand a homestead tax credit already in place for disabled veterans. The legislation now goes to the House for consideration.

Under current law, eligibility for the credit is limited to disabled veterans who have an income of $35,000 or less and have acquired their home through certain federal programs. The proposal would make the tax credit available to disabled veterans regardless of income and how the home was purchased, and extend the credit to surviving spouses or children.

Sen. Herman Quirmbach, a Democrat from Ames, says the bill is a small way to better help disabled veterans financially.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – More than 100 slot machines have been delivered for the new Hard Rock casino in Sioux City. General manager Todd Moyer told the Sioux City Journal that officials spent more than nine months researching machines and games and visiting other Iowa casinos to check the competition. Moyer says Hard Rock’s selections included “the best of the best” slot machines.

The slots will accept bets ranging from a penny to $25 per play.  Up to 850 machines should be installed for the opening of the $128.5 million project. The opening is expected to occur by late July or early August.