DES MOINES, IOWA – Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased slightly to 3.1 percent in March. The state’s jobless rate was 3.8 percent one year ago. The U.S. unemployment rate dropped to 4.5 percent in March. Beth Townsend, Director of Iowa Workforce Development, says “Unemployed Iowans continued to leave the labor force in March. The reduction in Iowa’s total labor force represents a smaller pool of qualified applicants and is making it difficult for businesses to fill positions. Total nonfarm employment showed little hiring among Iowa businesses this month resulting in a net decline in jobs.”

The number of unemployed Iowans decreased to 51,900 in March from 53,800 in February. The current estimate is 12,100 lower than the year ago level of 64,000. The total number of working Iowans increased to 1,640,200 in March. That figure was 500 higher than February and 2,900 higher than one year ago.

Seasonally Adjusted Nonfarm Employment
Iowa businesses pared jobs for the first time since November, lowering total nonfarm employment down to 1,580,600 jobs. This month’s decline was small in magnitude (-500), and generally due to losses in the private services sector. Government also contributed to this month’s drop with 500 jobs lost this month. Public sectors now lag behind last year’s mark by 700 jobs, whereas the state combined is up 8,100 jobs versus last March.

Within private sectors, leisure and hospitality posted the largest decline this month (-2,000). All of the losses in this sector this month were posted in arts, entertainment, and recreation. Accommodations and food services were unchanged since February. Most other sector declines this month were minor and included losses of 200 jobs in trade, transportation, and warehousing. This sector was hampered by larger than expected cutbacks in retail trade. Information services and professional and business services each shed 100 jobs in March. Job gains were led by construction (+1,100). This sector has added 2,700 jobs since January. Education and health services increased this month (+700) and have added jobs for four-consecutive months. Several sectors experienced incremental gains including manufacturing, finance, mining, and other services.

Annually, six of the ten private sectors have added jobs, led by professional and business services (+4,400). These gains have been fueled by increased staffing in administrative support and waste management services (+2,700). Education and health services have advanced steadily (+3,500), and finance has added jobs consistently since August and is up 3,100 jobs. Alternatively, losses continue to be led by manufacturing (-3,600) and primarily the result of cutbacks in durable goods factories (-3,100). Construction regressed slightly from last year’s historic highs and actually trails last year’s mark (-2,000). Information continues to reorganize and streamline services and is down 1,300

Visit www.iowalmi.gov for more information about current and historical data, labor force data, nonfarm employment, hours and earnings, and jobless benefits by county.

Police in the eastern Iowa town of Clinton say a message was posted on social media about 9:30 last (Thursday) night which threatened the safety of students and staff at Clinton High School. The threat, posted on Instagram, indicated something would happen at the school today. Clinton School Superintendent Deb Olson says police quickly determined who posted the threat. “We’ve visited that person’s house, talked to the parents and had things taken care of by about 1:30 this morning,” Olson says. “Obviously, there will be ramifications to this.”

On his Twitter account this morning, the principal of Clinton High School said disciplinary action is already underway. Olson says school is in session as usual in Clinton this morning and extra precautions are being taken.  “Not only will Officer Sparks be there early today, our school resource officer,” Olson says, “but there will be extra patrols around the building this morning as well.”

Clinton police were able to determine the threat was “not credible,” according to Olson. “I am fully satisfied that the threat does not exist any longer and that we will move forward today,” Olson says. “I would just reassure everybody in our community that things are as they should be.”

No names were released.

(Radio Iowa)

Sheriff’s officials in Pottawattamie County report a Wisconsin man was arrested on drug charges this (Friday) morning, while his passenger was arrested for interference with official acts, following an investigation into a reported reckless driver traveling on Interstate 80 in a red KIA SUV. A Deputy who was dispatched to the 29-mile marker at around 4-a.m. located the suspect vehicle as it was traveling east on I-80. He followed it to the Love’s Travel Center where it pulled-off and stopped, and after an investigation, 21-year old Brian Lovelle Bell, and 21-year old Cheyenne Lashawn Williams, both of Milwaukee, WI., were taken into custody. Bell was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance (3.6 grams of marijuana), and Williams was charged with Inference with Official Acts.

At around 11:45-p.m. Thursday, Deputies in Pottawattamie County arrested 47-year old Gary Lynn Walker, of Omaha, following a traffic stop on Highway 92 at 440th Street. Walker displayed signs of impairment and was arrested for OWI/1st offense, and Possession of 88.8 grams of meth, after the substance fell out of his shorts while Walker was being taken into custody. He was also arrested for Possession and Delivery of drugs, tax stamp violations and prohibited acts. During a search of his vehicle, authorities found $1,251 in cash, 1.8 grams of marijuana, a blue bag with drug distribution items, a cell phone and prescription pills. The property was seized into evidence.

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

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OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. (AP) – Authorities say two workers were treated for smoke inhalation after a fire at a construction site at Offutt Air Force Base near Omaha. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said in a news release that a section of duct caught fire around 1:50 p.m. Thursday in a lower level of the U.S. Strategic Command headquarters building project, where welding was being done. The Corps of Engineers is in charge of the project.

Offutt firefighters and fire crews from adjacent Bellevue responded to the site near the base’s southern entrance. The two workers were treated at the site and were taken to a hospital for further evaluation before being discharged. Their names haven’t been released. The fire cause is being investigated.

Police in Creston report an Adair County man was arrested on drug charges at around 1:23-a.m. today (Friday). 38-year old Michael Ross Waddingham, of Orient, was arrested near the intersection of Townline Road and Osage Street, on a charge of Possession with the intent to sell or manufacture/Methamphetamine – under 5 grams, and Introducing intoxicants or drugs into an Institution (Jail). Waddingham was being held in the Union County Jail on a $10,000 cash bond.

At the same time and place, 23-year old Dakota Eugene Brown, of Creston, was arrested for Driving While Suspended. He was later released from the Union County Jail on a $300 cash bond. Creston Police said also, at around 12:45-a.m. today (Friday), 31-year old John Lyle VanScoy, of Creston, was arrested on Highway 34 on charges that include eluding, driving while barred, OWI/1st offense, Possession of a Controlled Substance/2nd Offense, Possession of drug paraphernalia, and interference with official acts. He was later released on a $5,000 cash bond.

Thursday afternoon, Creston Police arrested 19-year old Tyson Malik Smiley, of Creston, for Theft in the 5th Degree. He was released from custody on a Promise to Appear in Court. At the same time and place, 19-year old Alijah Djon Shemar Thomas, of Des Moines, was arrested on a charge of Forgery. He was later released on a $5,000 cash bond.

The area’s top news at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Republican-controlled Iowa Legislature has approved a budget bill that would give up millions in federal Medicaid money to remove funding for Planned Parenthood. The Senate voted 28-21 Thursday night along party lines for the roughly $1.7 billion health and human services budget bill. The House approved the bill Wednesday. It now heads to Gov. Terry Branstad.

The legislation would create a state-run family planning program that excludes organizations that provide abortions. Iowa would give up federal Medicaid money and instead spend about $3.1 million in state dollars.

Democrats criticized the decision amid budget constraints. Several areas of state government are receiving less money in the roughly $7.2 billion budget that goes into effect in July. Lawmakers are nearing adjournment, but it’s unclear when they’ll complete their work.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa lawmakers are headed back to the Capitol as they attempt to adjourn the 2017 legislative session. Lawmakers were scheduled Friday to try to pass a bill that helps make up the roughly $7.2 billion budget. The so-called standing appropriation bill includes policy and spending across several state agencies.

The GOP-controlled chambers debated into Thursday night to complete spending bills on health and human services and administration and regulation. They’ve already approved most budget bills that will require Gov. Terry Branstad’s signature.

It’s unclear what day lawmakers will actually adjourn. There’s no official end date, though their reimbursements for daily expenses ended Tuesday. GOP lawmakers also appear at odds over bills that fund water quality initiatives and expand medical marijuana.

A man and woman from Nebraska were arrested early this morning in Council Bluffs, in connection with a reported stolen vehicle. A Council Bluffs Police Officer on routine patrol at around 1:25-a.m. today (Friday), located in the 100 bock of S. 32nd Street, an occupied, 2007 Nissan Versa that was reported stolen out of Papillion, NE., on April 19th.

Watts

Mooney

26-year old Brittany Watts, and 25-year old Dakota Mooney, both of Omaha, were arrested for Theft 2nd Degree/Possession of a Stolen Vehicle. Watts was also found to have valid extraditable warrants out of Sarpy County, NE.

Council Bluffs Police would like to remind the public to make sure they secure their vehicles and not to leave their vehicles running when unattended.