OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A new survey of bankers in rural parts of 10 Plains and Western states suggests they’re optimistic about the economy over the next few months. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the Rural Mainstreet Survey, and he says the signings of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement and the China trade agreement have boosted economic confidence across the region. The overall February survey index declined, however, to 51.6.

Organizers say scores above 50 suggest a growing economy, while scores below 50 indicate a shrinking economy. Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming were surveyed.

(Radio Iowa) — Republicans on a Senate committee have voted to place new limits in medical malpractice cases that involve the death of a patient. A bill that cleared a Senate committee this week would set 750-thousand dollars as the new cap on so-called “non-economic” damages that a family, children or spouses could receive. Senator Zach Whiting, a Republican from Spirit Lake, says these are the kind of intangible losses that are commonly referred to as “pain and suffering.” “There’s a concern, particularly in the medical community, that uncapped non-economic damages could have a negative impact on access to care for Iowans….as a physician may no longer see a high-risk patient,” Whiting says. “…They may no longer offer high-risk or cutting-edge procedures.”

Critics say the bill is unfair to families who’ve lost a loved one due to a medical mistake. Senator Rob Hogg, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, voted against the bill in committee. “If you pass this bill and it becomes law, you will take away from the jury the right to say that when medical professionals just totally screw up and kill somebody…recovery is limited to $750,000,” Hogg said.

In 2017, the Republican-led Iowa legislature enacted a 250-thousand dollar limit for emotional pain and suffering damage awards when health care providers are found liable for medical negligence. However, that “cap” or limit does not apply if a patient dies.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A March trial has been scheduled for a man suspected of killing a 74-year-old Davenport resident. Nineteen-year-old Charlie Gary III has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder. Gary also faces robbery and burglary counts in the death of Robert Long, whose body was found by police on Jan. 7 inside his Davenport home. The trial starting date of March 16 was set Thursday. Police have said Gary admitted to investigators that he broke into Long’s home and strangled the older man.

BURLINGTON, Iowa (The Hawk Eye) — Another defendant in a southeast Iowa slaying has been acquitted of first-degree murder but convicted of assault causing serious injury and of conspiracy to commit murder. The Hawk Eye reported that the verdicts were handed up Thursday on Chicago resident Caesar Davison. He was one of five men charged with killing Demarcus “Peanut” Chew on Sept. 10, 2017, outside his mother’s apartment in Burlington.

Andre Harris and Derrick Parker have been sentenced to 15 years, and Antoine Spann was given 20 years. Emmanuel Spann was found guilty earlier this month of first-degree murder and conspiracy and is facing a life sentence.

(Radio Iowa) — Iowa could be joining the SWARM of 16 other states that have declared one of nature’s colonizers as an official state symbol. Some legislators say Iowa’s current standing is unbelievable. “Iowa is one of two states without an official state insect,” Senator Chris Cournoyer of Le Claire said. She is among the members of a Senate Committee who’ve voted to give that distinction to the honeybee. “This bill has certainly created a lot of buzz, so I appreciate your support,” she said. Cournoyer points to the impact honeybees have on the state. “Iowa has 45,000 or more honeybee hives that produce about four million pounds of honey, valued at over $8 million (each year),” Cournoyer said, “and honeybees provide an estimated $92 million of economic value to Iowa’s crops from their pollination.”

Senator Roby Smith of Davenport became the author of this honeybee recognition plan after attending two recent events that showcased the state’s bee industry. “Honeybees are very important to agriculture in Iowa,” Smith says. Smith’s resolution, which is ready for a vote in the senate now, says honeybees are critical to the survival of plants and humans. It’s unclear if the proposal will survive through all the steps of the legislative process.

Things could get sticky for the bee in the House. A lawmaker there has proposed naming a black and orange butterfly — called the regal fritillary — as the state insect. If you’re unfamiliar with Iowa’s official symbols, the state tree is the oak, the state flower is the wild rose, the state rock is the geode and the state bird is the goldfinch.

Sheriff’s officials in Pottawattamie County report 45-year old Eric M. Wheelock was arrested Thursday night, following a traffic stop for running a stop sign, near Crescent. Wheelock was found to be in possession of marijuana (1st offense), and drug paraphernalia and charged with those offenses.

Late Thursday morning, 33-year old Joseph Brian Samuelson, of Council Bluffs, was arrested on two Pott. County warrants for Violation of a No Contact/Protective Order – Contempt of Court, and Violation of Probation. In addition, Samuelson and 43-year old Tema Elaine Hill, were arrested on separate charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance/1st offense, while Samuelson additionally charged with Driving While Barred. His bond on the latter charge was set at $2,000. Hill’s bond was on the Possession of Meth charge was set at $1,000. She was also being held in the Pott. County Jail on a “Hold” from another agency.

(Radio Iowa) — A House committee has unanimously voted to jump-start the process of restoring felon voting rights for the 2020 election. In 2005, then-Governor Tom Vilsack issued an executive order that automatically restored voting rights when paroled felons complete their sentences. Governor Terry Branstad rescinded that policy in 2011. Last night, the House State Government Committee voted to add the language from Vilsack’s order to an election-related bill. Republican Representative Bobby Kaufmann, the chairman of the committee, says it’s a new pathway for Iowa to stop being the only state in the country that requires released felons to get approval from the governor before they may vote.

Last year, Governor Kim Reynolds called on the legislature to permanently resolve the matter and draft a constitutional amendment that would automatically restore felon voting rights. Her fellow Republicans in the House took steps last year to do so, but the Republican-led Senate has not. This week, a Senate committee voted to set up a system that would kick in IF a constitutional amendment is approved by Iowans. It would require felons to pay the full amount of court-ordered victim restitution before they may vote. It also would forever bar felons convicted of murder, manslaughter and certain sex crimes from voting.