COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (WOWT) – An old, but ongoing scam continues to fool more victims. The latest to fall for it is a woman who doesn’t need more stress in her life by losing money. WOWT-TV in Omaha reports a Council Bluffs woman had wanted an emotional support/therapeutic animal as a companion while she underwent treatment for cancer. She thought a teacup Shih Tzu puppy would fit the role, and paid for one online.

The woman made a $100 down-payment, but the seller, who claimed to be from Winterset, wanted the funds on a money app, which the Better Business Bureau (BBB) says can be a red flag. BBB in Omaha President Jim Hagerty said he suspects the puppy seller is much farther away, possibly in West Africa.

BBB’s scam tracker reports show more than 1,500 victims of a puppy scam in the last year. One of the ways you can tell it’s a scam, Hagerty says, is that the person never allows you to physically visit the puppy. Therefore, you should never send them money UNTIL you can see the dog in person.

The victim paid more than $300 total through money apps and never received the dog. The BBB says the average loss in a puppy scam in a puppy scam is $1,000. Nearly 20% of reported online scams are tied to phony pet sales.

(Radio Iowa) – The board of a northwest Iowa community college has accepted a settlement with international students who accused the school of human trafficking. Western Iowa Tech Community College in Sioux City will pay two-point-three million dollars to settle a lawsuit involving ten students from Brazil. College President Terry Murrell talked to reporters after a special board meeting Wednesday afternoon and took full responsibility for the program’s problems. “We got too deep into something we were not overly familiar with, and we didn’t do a good job. And not doing a good job certainly had implications to those students,” Murrell says. “To those students, I would say, ‘We wish you luck and hope you are able to pursue your education and career goals.”’

Murrell says he thought the program would have success like others at the school when it was launched in 2019. “The J-1 Program is complex, it’s complicated,” he says, “and I don’t think we appreciated that when we stepped in, and all of that is my fault.” In April, the college’s board of directors approved paying three-million dollar to students from Chile who filed a lawsuit in 2020. The students said they were promised a free, two-year program with internships but were instead forced into working manual labor jobs to pay off tuition.

Murrell disputed that claim, saying the students were free to leave at any time and were paid for every hour they worked, plus free tuition and other amenities. He expects insurance to cover most of the cost. The dismissal of the lawsuit, which also includes college employees, is expected to be finalized in federal court in 60 days.

(by Sheila Brummer, Iowa Public Radio)

DES MOINES, Iowa – As families plan for the upcoming school year, State Treasurer Roby Smith is reminding Iowans how the College Savings Iowa 529 plan can be used to achieve a variety of education savings goals, including K-12. “College Savings Iowa continues to expand the mindset that 529 plans can only be used for traditional two- and four-year college,” Smith said. “For families that want to put money aside to pay for K-12 tuition at a public or private school, while also receiving all the tax benefits 529 plans provide, College Savings Iowa could be the answer.”

Up to $10,000 per year per student can be withdrawn from a College Savings Iowa account to pay for tuition expenses in connection with enrollment at a K-12 institution. “We’re here to help support families in their education savings journey, whatever that may be for them and their student,” continued Smith. “It’s what College Savings Iowa is all about.”

In addition to K-12 tuition, money invested in College Savings Iowa can be used to pay for tuition; room and board; computers; textbooks and other qualified education expenses at any eligible higher education institution in the U.S. or abroad. This includes colleges, universities, trade schools and apprenticeship programs. Additionally, up to $10,000 can be used for repayment on any qualified education loan of the Beneficiary or a sibling of the Beneficiary.

As a 529 plan, College Savings Iowa also offers tax advantages such as tax-deferred earnings and tax-free qualified withdrawals. Plus, there is an added tax benefit of deducting up to $5,500 in contributions per Beneficiary account from 2024 Iowa income taxes.

To learn more about the Plan, visit CollegeSavingsIowa.com or call (888) 672-9116. Connect with College Savings Iowa on Facebook, Instagram and X to stay informed on current events and updates. For additional details about the Plan, read the Program Description.

(Wapello, Iowa [KCCI-TV] – A shortage of court reporters in Iowa is causing some disruptions and delays. Southeast Iowa’s District 8, for instance, covers 15 courthouses, but only has 11 court reporters. KCCI reports experts say the decline is due to retirements outpacing the number of people graduating from court reporting school. There are also fears that the job will become obsolete as technology advances. Wapello County Attorney Steviee Grove disagrees. She said court reporters are the official word.

Iowa Judicial Branch court reporter’s position.

The Iowa Supreme Court is certifying some voice writers as court reporters to help with the shortage. The judicial system is also exploring higher-income opportunities and tele-work.

(Radio Iowa) –  Triple-A reports the average price for a gallon of diesel fuel in Iowa fell three cents a gallon over the past week. Wednesday’s average price for diesel in Iowa was 31 cents a gallon lower than the national average. Unleaded gasoline was averaging three-28 ($3.28) a gallon in Iowa yesterday (Wednesday). That’s the same as last week.

(Creston, Iowa) – A Union County man was arrested Wednesday evening on a drug charge and warrants. According to the Creston Police Department, 30-year-old Patrick Riley Iiams, of Creston, was arrested at the Bomgaars Store in Creston, just before 6-p.m.  Iiams was charged with Possess Drug Paraphernalia. He was also taken into custody on warrants for Domestic Abuse Impeding flow of Air/blood, and for Failure to appear on a charge of Theft in the 5th degree and Consumption of alcohol in a public space/1st Offense.

Iiams was being held without bond in the Union county jail until seen by a judge.

(State News) – Two separate crashes in Iowa Wednesday, resulted in two deaths and one person injured. The Iowa State Patrol reports a crash late Wednesday morning in central Iowa’s Jasper County, claimed the life of a man from Polk County. 41-year-old Michael Croy, of Des Moines, died when the car he was driving collided head-on with a pickup truck. The accident happened south of Newton. Croy was traveling north on County Highway S 74 at around 11:50-a.m., when for reasons unknown, his vehicle crossed the center line of the road and collided with a southbound pickup driven by 62-year-old Karl Peters, of Monroe (IA). Croy died at the scene. Peters was transported to a hospital in Newton. Both men were wearing their seat belts. The crash remained under investigation.

And, at around 6:12-p.m. Wednesday, a pedestrian died in northern Iowa’s Cerro Gordo County, when they were struck by an SUV. The accident happened in Mason City, as the SUV, driven by a 17-year-old female from Mason City, was traveling southbound on Plymouth Road. The pedestrian who was struck, was identified as 42-year-old Jennifer Dawn Buls-VRBA, of Mason City. She was transported to the hospital in Mason City, where she died from their injuries.

The accident remains under investigation.