(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Congresswoman, Ashley Hinson, a Republican from Marion, is co-sponsoring legislation to reauthorize and modernize the bipartisan Childcare and Development Block Grant, or CDBG program. It sends federal dollars to states to help them with childcare access. Hinson says the legislation will expand family eligibility. “It raises the state median income threshold…it will bump that up to 150 percent. It still requires families below 85 percent of that are served first,” she says, “So I think that’s where we will see the expanded eligibility.”

She says increasing the affordability of care for more working parents is important. Hinson says the update would give states more options. That is what I am focused on. And this is where I think this bill will be very helpful there because it does grant states flexibility,” according to Hinson. “So it gives them the options to help support child care educators, professional development opportunities, and again, recruitment and retention efforts.” She says there’s another component that could help providers.

“It also makes sure that input and operational costs are included in calculating reimbursement rates. Because when I visited, I think eight different childcare facilities and had roundtables with providers and with parents who are looking at options. They need increased certainty. And they need to make sure that they can long-term be solvent,” Hinson says. Hinson says the lack of childcare disproportionately impacts Iowa’s rural areas.

(Radio Iowa) – Many thousands of Iowans are doing their holiday shopping online and they’ll need to be on the lookout for scams as they surf for sales. Bao Vang, spokeswoman for the Better Business Bureau, says so-called “holiday” apps are springing up and you’ll need to steer clear. Vang says, “Be wary of any free apps as they might contain advertisements, lead you down nefarious links that might take your money or steal your personal information.”

If you get an offer for a free gift card this holiday season, Vang says be sure to read all of the fine print. “That sounds enticing, we all want free items, low-cost,” Vang says. “Scammers have been known to take advantage of this weakness by sending folks phishing emails, requesting personal information in order to receive gift cards.” Vang says to do your research before clicking “yes” on a free gift card offer.

You can also go to BBB’s ScamTracker online to find out more about potential scam offers.

(West Des Moines, Iowa) – Officials with the West Des Moines Police Department report a Union County man faces Attempted Murder and other charges, following a stabbing incident. Authorities say at around 5:30 this (Monday) morning, officers responded to a report of a person who had been stabbed in a vehicle outside of the Hy-Vee store located at 1725 Jordan Creek Parkway.

When Officers arrived on scene, the alleged suspect had left the scene prior to their arrival.  A short time later police located a 37-year-old male victim at a local hospital, suffering from a stab wound to the leg.  With the full cooperation of Hy-Vee, West Des Moines Detectives along with the Crime Scene Identification Unit immediately began an investigation and processing the crime scene.

At approximately 10:00am, West Des Moines Police Detectives arrested 30-year-old Dakota Nordstrom, of Creston, Iowa on the following charges:

• Attempted Murder
• Willful Injury Causing Serious Injury
• Going Armed with Intent
• Burglary 1^st Degree

Nordstrom has been transported to the Dallas County Jail where he remains held on the charges.

(Sidney, Iowa) – Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope, today (Monday), said there were 19 arrests that took place from November 14th through December 4th. Beginning with the most recent arrests:

• 33-year old Derrick Miller, of Nebraska City, NE., was arrested Sunday, for OWI/1st offense. He was later released on bond.
• There were four arrests on December 2nd:
  • 41-year-old Danielle Denny, of Omaha, was arrested for Theft in the 5th, and Failure to Appear. She was booked and then released.
  • 34-year-old Steven Wentland, Jr., of Riverton, was arrested for Domestic Abuse/3rd offense, Contempt of Court, and Simple Assault. He was later released on bond.
  • 35-year-old Lyndsey Cottrell, of Des Moines, was arrested Dec. 2nd in Fremont County, for Violation of Probation. She was being held on $20,000 bond.
  • 31-year-old Larry Joseph West, of Randolph, was arrested for Violation of a Court Order.
• On December 1st, 37-year-old Megan Rasmussen, of Randolph, was arrested in Fremont County, for OWI/1st offense and Driving Under Suspension. She was released on bond.
• On November 29th, 55-year-old Mark Gosch, of Nebraska City, NE., was arrested in Fremont County for Possession of a Controlled Substance (PCS), and Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia. He was later released on bond.
• On the 27th, 36-year-old Mallory Lawrence, of Tabor, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. She was released on bond.
• The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office says 33-year-old Zachery Decker, of Dickinson, ND., was arrested Nov. 26th, for PCS, and Poss. of Paraphernalia.
• Three arrests were reported on Nov. 23rd in Fremont County: 37-year-old Robert Dingess, of Portland, OR, was arrested for PCS and Poss. of Paraphernalia; & 40-year-old Louisa Homan, of Hamburg, was arrested for False Reporting to 911, and, 25-year-old Tia Campbell, of Omaha, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. She was released on bond.
• On the 18th, Robert Fender, 55, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for PCS/3rd offense, and Poss. of paraphernalia. Bond was set at $5,000.
• On Nov. 17th, Deputies arrested 47-year-old Billy Foster, of Clarinda, for Poss. with the Intent to distribute (more than 5 grams)/Meth, and Theft in the 1st Degree. He was being held in the Fremont County Jail on $60,000 bond.
• On Nov. 16th, Amber Fichter-Harris, 28, of Shenandoah, was arrested for Unlawful Poss. of prescription drugs, PCS, and Poss. of Paraphernalia.
• Five people were arrested on separate charges Nov. 15th, in Fremont County:
  • Edward Bailey, 63, of Hamburg, was arrested for being a  Fugitive From Justice. He was released to another agency.
  • Brian Barrett, 41, of Hamburg, was arrested for Leaving the scene of an injury accident. He was released on bond.
  • Michael Doe, of Columbus, OH, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault. He was later released on bond.
  • and Sara Cramer, 45, of Hamburg, was arrested for PCS. She was released on bond.
• And finally, the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office says 37-year-old Eric Ambler, of Coralville, was arrested Nov. 14th, for Failure to Appear. He was released on time served.