The Audubon County Sheriff’s Department reports a man and woman from Brayton were arrested Wednesday night. 22-year old Seth Michael Thompson and 20-year old Krystal Leigh Ann Enloe, both face child endangerment charges. Thompson was also charged with Possession of a Schedule 3 Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The charges against the pair were the result of a search warrant executed at their residence on Broadway Street, in Brayton.

In addition, 54-year old Michael Henry Thompson, of Brayton, turned himself in to the Sheriff’s Office today (Thursday). He was charged with Possession of Marijuana/3rd offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, following the execution of a search warrant. Seth and Michael Thompson also had outstanding warrants out of Audubon County, in association with an investigation into an incident at their home, on November 25th.

Seth Thompson was charged with Possession of Marijuana/2nd offense and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Michael Thompson was charged with Possession of Marijuana/3rd offense and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The Thompson’s and Enloe were released from custody after appearing before the magistrate.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — U.S. senators from seven Missouri River states are asking the Government Accountability Office to examine this summer’s heavy flooding throughout the river basin.The request was supported by 13 senators who are part of the Missouri River Working Group. The group includes senators from Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.The senators want the GAO to review several issues, including whether the Army Corps of Engineers followed its master manual for managing the Missouri River and what role meteorological forecasts played. They also want to know if environmental concerns, such as protecting endangered species, influenced flood-control efforts.

The Atlantic Police Department reports two drug-related arrests Wednesday. Officials say 34-year old Eric Ostrander, and 20-year old Shelbie Brammann, both of Atlantic, were arrested on warrants charging them with Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The pair were booked into the Cass County Jail and held, pending an appearance before the magistrate.

And, no injuries were reported following an accident Wednesday afternoon, in the 400 block of Walnut Street. The A-P.D. says vehicles driven by Alfrieda Johnson Neary, and Diana Schuler, both of Atlantic, collided at around 4:40-p.m., as Schuler was backing out of a parking stall and Neary was traveling north on Walnut Street. Damage from the mishap amounted to $3,700.  Schuler was cited for Moving a vehicle backwards on a highway.

Iowa’s unemployment rate remains well below the national average, but that isn’t much comfort to Iowans who are out of a job. Employment analyst Joanie Ruge, says a recent survey finds those who are employed aren’t feeling confident about their job security. Ruge says, “Almost half of the workers surveyed, 48-percent, believe that their companies might be cutting benefits in the new year and also 41-percent believe their companies might lay off some workers.” 

State labor officials say Iowa’s unemployment rate held steady at six-percent in October compared to the national jobless rate at nine-percent. Despite the fears of firings, Ruge says there were signs of optimism in the survey. “This survey shows that 73-percent of workers actually feel very secure in their company and with their jobs,” she says. “This is certainly a great sign to see that number is pretty high.” 

Ruge says there are numerous stable industries in Iowa that are continuing to grow and add employees. “Health care, pharmaceuticals, anything in information technology, engineering, there are job opportunities in these sectors,” Ruge says. “Where we’ve seen more of a struggle has been in automotive over the last few years. The jobs have really gone away from manufacturing even though we have seen some of the jobs come back.” 

Ruge says many people are taking precautions, cutting back on expenses and putting money into savings, just in case a job is lost. For people who are unemployed, she says to stay focused on networking with both your personal and social networks. Make sure you let people know you are looking for work, she adds, as you never know where that next job might appear. 

(Matt Kelley/Radio Iowa)

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Board of Regents will consider giving final approval to a 3.75 percent tuition increase for in-state undergraduate students.The regents will meet by telephone Thursday to consider the proposal, which would raise tuition at the University of Iowa, Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa by $240. Mandatory fees would go up an additional $50 at Iowa and $45 at UNI.University officials caution the increase could be adjusted upward later depending on how much money lawmakers approve for the universities during budget talks next year.Also Thursday, the board is expected to discuss a plan that would bar state universities from naming academic institutes for current elected officials. The rule comes after criticism of the new center honoring U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin at ISU.