DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s unemployment rate remained at a national low of 2.4 percent in December. Iowa Workforce Development reported Friday that the rate didn’t change as the number of unemployed resident remained at an estimated 40,600. The number of residents with jobs rose slightly to 1,651,300. Iowa’s rate compared to the national December rate of 3.9 percent. Iowa had the nation’s lowest unemployment rate, ahead of the 2.5 percent rates in Hawaii and New Hampshire. It was the third straight month that Iowa had a 2.4 percent rate.

The Mayor of Glenwood, Ron Kohn, has proclaimed a “Snow Emergency” for the City of Glenwood, effective 5-p.m. today (Friday). Under the proclamation, no vehicle or apparatus is allowed to be unattended or abandoned on any public street or City-Owned parking lot, other than designated overnight parking areas. The Snow Emergency parking ban will continue until the snow stops, and all roads are plowed.

Two separate arrests were reported Thursday, in Mills County. The Sheriff’s Office reports 36-year old Curtis Joseph Aldridge, of Creston, was arrested at around 12:15-a.m., near the intersection of Highway 275 and 34. He was taken into custody for Providing False Identification Information, Driving Under Suspension, Failure to show proof of insurance, Unsafe turn or Failure to give a turn signal, Open Container and Interference with Official Acts. His bond was set at slightly more than $2,216.

And, at around 10:45-a.m. Thursday, Mills County Deputies arrested 24-year old Jason Thomas Meidl, of Council Bluffs. He was taken into custody at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office on a warrant for Probation Violation. His bond was set at $10,000.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Attorneys are seeking a new trial for a black Iowa teenager convicted of murder after a juror reported other members of the jury made racially charged comments before the conviction. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that jurors testified Thursday about comments allegedly made last year during the trial of 18-year-old Doncorrion Spates. He was found guilty of murder in the 2016 shooting death of Otavioius Brown.

One juror who was called by the defense said a male juror made a comment about African Americans being involved in gangs. The juror said a female juror also commented that black people are “desensitized to killing people.” Five jurors called by the prosecution said they didn’t hear any racial comments and that race didn’t play a role in their decision. Court officials say the hearing will continue at a future date.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A new website is helping nonprofits in the Omaha and Council Bluffs area to connect generosity with need. The Omaha World-Herald reports that the SHARE Omaha website launched Thursday. The site includes information about what local nonprofits need in terms of volunteers, money or items. More than 200 nonprofits are listed on the site. The site features nonprofits in Douglas, Sarpy, Dodge, Saunders and Washington counties in Nebraska, and Pottawattamie, Mills and Harrison counties in Iowa.

SHARE Omaha Executive Director Marjorie Maas says the platform has an all-inclusive approach and lists organizations of various sizes and with various missions. She says the goal is to make it easier for local residents to find nonprofits that need help. David Scott of the Suzanne & Walter Scott Foundation proposed the idea in Omaha after seeing a similar project in North Carolina.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A former jailer accused of assaulting a Polk County Jail inmate has pleaded not guilty. Polk County court records say 45-year-old Jason Herndon entered the plea last week to an assault charge. His next court hearing is scheduled for Feb. 14. The records say the inmate suffered a small cut on the inside of his lip Dec. 3. The Des Moines Register reports that Herndon quit his job after being placed on leave.

The inmate told investigators that Herndon was cursing at inmates and calling them names that day. The inmate says that when he protested, Herndon entered his cell and choked him.

More State and area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — A man accused of punching a woman, hitting her with a baseball bat and burning her has been sentenced to 40 years in prison. Dubuque County District Court records say 44-year-old Lonnie Vandamme Jr. was sentenced Wednesday. He’d pleaded guilty to kidnapping, willful injury and domestic abuse. Court records say the woman told police the beatings occurred at his apartment in March after they argued. She said he also menaced her with a knife and threatened to kill her. The records say she suffered burns, a broken eye socket, a broken rib and severe body bruising.

Red Oak Police report two arrests took place Thursday night. At around 9:50-p.m., 26-year old Dustin James Danick, and 28-year old Kirsten Lynn Wilwerding were both taken into custody for Violation of a No Contact Order. They were brought to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $300 bond each.