Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — Republican Governor Terry Branstad now has the final say on payments for all Medicaid-funded abortions in Iowa. Branstad yesterday signed a health care bill that includes a provision that changes the rules for how the state reimburses abortions for Medicaid patients. Previously the state Medicaid program approved the dollars after extensive review. But under the new rules, Branstad, a practicing Roman Catholic, will have to sign off on those reimbursement dollars.

INDEPENDENCE, Iowa (AP) — Republican Ben Lange says he won’t run in next year’s elections for Iowa’s 1st Congressional District seat. The 34-year-old attorney from Independence lost in 2010 and 2012 to Representative Bruce Braley, a Democrat who is running for the U.S. Senate instead of seeking re-election. Lange cited family demands in his announcement on Wednesday.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say the suspicious death of a Des Moines hammer attack suspect wasn’t the result of a crime. The Des Moines Register) reports that a police spokesman said that although the cause of Larry Western’s death on April 25th was undetermined, the case is not a homicide.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Johnson County and its sheriff’s department have reached a settlement with a transgender woman over the courthouse’s bathroom policy. The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports the settlement with 56-year-old Jodie Jones of Iowa City, means deputies will receive new training on civil rights matters and the county will clarify its policy on public restroom use.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The economy in rural areas of 10 Midwest and Plains states remains strong as healthy rainfall this spring helps crops get established. The overall economic index for the region grew to 60.5 in June from May’s 58.8. That suggests growth in the months ahead. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss, who oversees the monthly survey, says the bankers are optimistic because of the consistent growth in the national economy and improving crop conditions.

The confidence index grew to 60 in June from May’s 54.5. The indexes range from 0 to 100, with 50 representing growth neutral. Any score above 50 suggests economic growth in the months ahead. The index is based on a survey of rural bankers in Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming.

Deputies in Audubon County arrested an Atlantic man Tuesday night on weapons charges. 17-year old Jacob Quentin Dvorak was taken into custody at around 10:30-p.m. on charges that include Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon, Carrying Weapons, and Assault Displaying a Dangerous Weapon. The charges follow an investigation into an incident which allegedly occurred on Main Street in Exira at around 2-a.m., Tuesday.

Dvorak was transported to the Juvenile Detention Center in Council Bluffs. The incident remains under investigation. Atlantic Police assisted in the investigation.

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad now has the final say on payments for all Medicaid-funded abortions in Iowa.  Branstad on Thursday signed a health care bill that includes a provision that changes the rules for how the state reimburses abortions for Medicaid patients. Previously the state Medicaid program approved the dollars after extensive review. But under the new rules, Branstad will have to sign off on these reimbursement dollars.
 
Iowa’s Medicaid program covers a small number of abortions each year due to rape, incest, fetal deformity or to protect a mother’s life. The new rules effect reimbursements after the abortions, not authorizing the procedures ahead of time.
 
Abortion rights advocates say Iowa would likely be the first state to set such a policy.