DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Ten AmeriCorps programs in Iowa will receive $2.7 million for projects that include mentoring youth at risk for dropping out of school, building Habitat for Humanity homes, and improving public lands and trails through habitat restoration. U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin says the money comes from the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that encourages volunteer work. The focus of many of the programs is getting young people involved in community service.

Grants go to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley, Community Corrections Improvement Association, the Des Moines Independent Community School District, city of Dubuque, Graceland University, Habitat for Humanity of Iowa, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa Legal Aid, Iowa Western Community College and the United Way of East Central Iowa.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad is set to sign legislation that expands low-income health care in Iowa. Branstad is scheduled to sign the bill Thursday in Mason City. The location was selected to acknowledge two lawmakers from the region — Republican House Majority Leader Linda Upmeyer and Democratic Sen. Amanda Ragan — who helped broker the final deal.

Under the plan, Iowa will accept federal dollars offered to states that expand Medicaid under President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul. The state will use the funding to create a new health plan for some poor residents and will pay the premiums for other low-income Iowans to get insurance on the new health care exchanges. The plan will require federal approval. Branstad says he’s optimistic that will happen.

(Updated 7-a.m.)

Firefighters from Atlantic were called to the scene of a residential deck fire early this (Thursday) morning. Fire Chief Mark McNees says the call about the fire at 505 West 14^th Street came in at around 12:45-a.m. He says the Thor Jordan family had a barbeque charcoal grill earlier in the evening. Apparently, some ashes blew out from the bottom and started the deck on fire. A neighbor noticed the smoke and fire, called 9-1-1 and awoke the family. 

No injuries were reported. McNees said the damage was primarily confined to the home’s deck. The Chief issued a reminder to persons who barbeque on their decks to make sure the embers and ashes are cool before you leave grills unattended.

He says the home owners will probably need to replace their deck due to the amount of damage it sustained.

Fire crews were on the scene for about 40-minutes.

Haupert says the man was within his rights when he shot and killed the dog, because under Iowa law it’s legal to kill a dog that is threatening or attempting to attack. Haupert said he interviewed the man Wednesday and believes he felt seriously threatened by the dog. The sheriff says after the man shot the dog, he drove to the owners’ home about a block away and informed them of what happened.