DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Department of Human Services is on the verge of taking a less-confrontational approach toward adults accused of minor acts of child neglect.

The state Legislature has approved a bill creating the new process, and it’s now awaiting Gov. Terry Branstad’s signature.

The new approach allows for “family assessments,” in which caseworkers can work with families and let them describe their situation without fear of being placed on the state child abuse registry.

Agency spokesman Roger Munns says the change would better balance the rights of adults with the need to protect children. Cases involving sexual, physical and substance abuse will still require a traditional investigation.

Some child advocates back the change but say the state needs to ensure quick evaluations if there is any risk to a child.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) – MidAmerican Energy Co. is seeking permission from the Iowa Utilities Board to increase electricity rates, saying it’s the first base-rate increase the utility has sought since 1995.

The Quad-City Times reports that if approved, the rate would go into effect in August. MidAmerican says the increase would cost the average residential customer an additional $2.73 a month in 2013 and continue to rise over the next few years. By 2016, the average residential customer would be paying about $8 more a month than the current rate.

MidAmerican spokeswoman Tina Potthoff says the rate increase request is not related to the utility’s announcement Wednesday of a $1.9 billion wind energy project.

The Audubon Police Department reports three recent arrests. On Saturday (May 11th), 74-year old Bille Jean Rustvold, of Audubon, was arrested on a warrant for Failure to Appear. Rustvold was transported and held at the Audubon County Sheriff’s Office. On May 5th, police officers in Audubon arrested 20-year old Dalton Levi Jacobsen of Audubon, for Simple Assault. His arrest was the results of an investigation into an incident that occurred on February 18th, 2013. Jacobsen was cited and released on promise to appear.

And, on May 3rd, 20-year old Aaron Michael Tesdal, an escapee from the Ottumwa Correctional Facility, was apprehended by Audubon Police. Tesdal was held at the Audubon County Jail until released to the Oakdale Department of Corrections.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports an incident in the 100 block of E 2nd Street in Villisca on Friday night (5/10) at approximately 9:29pm resulted in the arrest of a 21-year-old woman.  Chelsie Lorraine Westerhausen of Villisca was arrested for simple domestic assault and was taken to the Montgomery County Jail.  She was being held on no bond pending an appearance before a magistrate.