Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:25 a.m. CST

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — State officials are confirming that 15 cases in just one small Iowa county were mistakenly recorded as felony convictions on the list they use to identify ineligible voters. The Associated Press reviewed all 359 Carroll County entries as part of an investigation into the error-riddled list, which has been blamed for causing confusion and wrongly disenfranchising eligible voters. Fifteen of the cases _ or more than 4 percent _ were misdemeanor convictions that did not result in the loss of voting rights. A spokesman for the Iowa Secretary of State’s office says the errors were corrected Thursday.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — State budget experts say revenue projections for the current fiscal year and next year are running ahead of their October predictions. The three-member Revenue Estimating Conference says Thursday that state income is up about 2 percent from the previous year. The group projects a 2.9 percent increase for next year, or about $234 million higher than the current year. That would bring tax collections to nearly $8.25 billion. The estimate for next year is important because Gov. Kim Reynolds must base her 2021 budget on the figures released Thursday. The higher estimate could give the governor some additional money as she prepares her budget for next year.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Opponents of a power line in southwestern Wisconsin are taking their fight to federal court. The plaintiffs say state regulators have conflicts of interest that should have kept them from approving the power line project. The lawsuit was filed Wednesday by the Environmental Law & Policy Center on behalf of the Driftless Area Land Conservancy and the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation. The groups say the Public Service Commission chairwoman and a commissioner have outside interests that should disqualified them from voting on the 100-miles high voltage line, known as Cardinal-Hickory Creek. The $492 million project was approved in September.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats will hold four debates in each of the early primary states as voting gets underway next year. The Democratic National Committee announced Thursday that some of the debates are scheduled to be held just days before voters head to the polls. The first primary debate of the new year will be on Jan. 14 in Des Moines, Iowa. The second is scheduled for Feb. 7 in Manchester, New Hampshire. Democrats will debate in Las Vegas on Feb. 19, three days before the caucuses there. And in South Carolina, they’ll hold a debate on Feb. 25, four days before that state’s Democratic primary.

Sheriff’s officials in Fremont, County, Thursday, received a report of a burglary that occurred at the Riverside Inn in Riverton, Iowa. Deputies observed structural damage to the building as well as damage to objects inside the business. Surveillance video, showing, a male, whom deputies had prior contact with, 42-year old Christopher Dos Santos, of Riverton, in the bar during the early morning hours of Dec. 12th. allegedly stealing items.

Christopher Dos Santos (Fremont Co. S/O photo

While on scene, deputies observed Dos Santos walking past the exterior of the bar and placed him under arrest at that time. Dos Santos admitted to the burglary and stolen items from the bar were later located inside Dos Santos’ residence.

Dos Santos was charged with Burglary 3rd Degree and Criminal Mischief 2nd Degree, both Class D Felonies and 2 counts of Theft 5th a Simple Misdemeanor. More charges are pending in the case.

The Cass County Community Foundation is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted from organizations providing charitable services in Cass County. As part of this spring grant cycle, approximately $115,000 is available to support Cass County nonprofit organizations and community projects. The deadline to apply for funds through the online application process is February 1.
Beginning December 15, application details, a fact sheet, and a link to the application form can be found online by selecting Cass County under County Listing at www.swiowafoundations.org. Applications will only be accepted through the online system.

Made possible through the State of Iowa County Endowment Fund Program, this cycle of grants is funded by a percentage of the state’s commercial gaming tax revenue, which is distributed annually to participating community foundations associated with counties without a state-issued gaming license. Only organizations providing services in Cass County are eligible to apply. They must be able to demonstrate broad community/county support and be an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) Public Charity, a local municipality, or a fiscally sponsored project. Requests for general operating support will not be considered.

The Cass County Community Foundation aims to improve the quality of life in Cass County by supporting community needs in the areas of civic engagement, culture, health, education, and social services. The objective of the grant program is to fund projects that will have a permanent impact on, and in, Cass County.

Please contact Stacey Goodman (stacey@omahafoundation.org) or Tess Houser (tess@omahafoundation.org) at 800-794-3458 with application-related questions. All completed grant applications will be considered at the March board meeting, with applicants being notified of funding decisions by the end of March.

Board members of the Cass County Community Foundation are Chair, Nicholas Hunt of rural Atlantic; Vice Chair, Gary Maas of Anita; Secretary/Treasurer, Roland K. Landsness, Esq. of Atlantic; Royal Bierbaum of rural Griswold; Kristi Burg of Massena; and Mark D. Kyhnn, CPA of Atlantic.