SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – After fighting for months to remain open, Sioux City’s floating casino has ended two decades of legalized gambling on the Missouri River. The Sioux City Journal reports the Argosy Sioux City closed with little ceremony Wednesday. A female voice announced over the public address system, “Attention, the Argosy Casino is closed.”

The closure followed an Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission order requiring the Argosy to cease operation because it wasn’t partnered with a state-licensed local nonprofit group, as required by state law.

Argosy fought the order but last week the Iowa Supreme Court ruled the casino needed to close.

On Friday morning the new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sioux City will open in the city’s downtown.

w/ Ric Hanson

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WINTERSET, Iowa (AP) – A commission has recommended to the Iowa Supreme Court that a former prosecutor who beat a client that he’d had a sexual relationship with should be barred from practicing law for at least four years. The Des Moines Register says the Iowa Supreme Court’s Grievance Commission also criticized Anthony Zane Blessum for his lack of remorse. Among other findings, the commission said in its recommendation to the Supreme Court that Blessum had neglected his duties for the client.

In March 2013 Blessum pleaded guilty to assaulting the woman on June 11, 2012. He was given seven days in jail, probation and was told to pay her nearly $7,000 in restitution. Blessum was Madison County attorney from 1987 through 1997.

Blessum’s lawyer says Blessum was disappointed by the commission’s findings.

Authorities in southwest Iowa are asking for the public’s help in locating a pickup that was reported stolen early this (Thursday) morning out of Red Oak. Red Oak Police reported a white and silver 1998 Dodge RAM 1500 pickup (Iowa license plate 472 YKT) was stolen from the 100 block of west Maple Street. The victim believes the vehicle…possibly driven by a female…was on its way to Council Bluffs.

The pickup has a broken back window covered with duct tape. If you have any information as to the location of the vehicle, call the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center at 712-623-6500. If you see the pickup, do not approach the vehicle or driver, just call 9-1-1 immediately.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Legal concerns have forced the University of Iowa to suspend a promotion offering free tuition to five randomly selected students who purchased football season tickets. Athletic director Gary Barta says he has decided to temporarily shutter the offer after questions were raised about whether it complies with state raffle laws.

Iowa says the free tuition package is worth roughly $8,000. The award also can be used to cover fees, books and related supplies for the upcoming fall and spring semesters. The Hawkeyes also were planning prizes such as $500 in school supplies and $1,000 gift cards to a local grocery store chain in an effort to boost lagging student ticket sales.

Iowa has seen those numbers drop from 10,000 to roughly 7,000 in less than two years.

A woman from Villisca was arrested Wednesday afternoon in Montgomery County, following an investigation into a single-vehicle accident. Authorities say they received a call about a vehicle in the ditch one-quarter of a mile west of Q Avenue on Highway 34, at around 4:35-p.m., Wednesday. An investigation determined 55-year old Martha L. Freeman, of Villisca, was traveling east on Highway 34, when her vehicle entered the ditch and became stuck.

Freeman was charged with OWI/1st Offense and brought to the Montgomery County Jail, where she was held on $1,000 cash bond.

Authorities in Montgomery County report several recent arrests. At around 3:05-p.m. Wednesday, Red Oak Police arrested 44-year old Shelby Joann Olivares, of Red Oak, on a charge of Public Intoxication. Her bond was set at $300. A little after 9-p.m. Wednesday, Red Oak Police arrested 52-year old Jack Ray Steinspring, of Red Oak, on a charge of Driving While Suspended. His bond was set at $566.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department says deputies located a 16-year old female runaway from Webster City, Wednesday night. The teen — who had been reported missing, earlier in the day — was walking along southbound Highway 71 at around 9:45-p.m., when she was located. She was transported to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center and held pending the arrival of a parent or guardian. No charges were filed.

At Around 9:50-p.m., Wednesday, Red Oak Police arrested 24-year old Cassie Ann Phelps, of Red Oak, on a charge of Trespass. Phelps was taken into custody in the 100 block of west Prospect Street, following an investigation into an incident that occurred earlier in the 100 block of Miller Avenue. Phelps was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $300 cash bond.

And, at around 1:05-a.m. Thursday (Today), 24-year old Netosha Nichole Stalder, of Clarinda, was arrested in Red Oak, on a charge of Improper Use of Registration. She was also found to have a revoked driver’s license and Failed to provide proof of insurance. Her bond was set at $1,000.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

A new report released by the Associated General Contractors of America shows employment gains in Iowa’s construction industry. There was a four percent increase in the number of construction-related jobs in Iowa this June compared to the same month a year ago. The group also analyzed data from the nation’s top metropolitan areas. It found construction employment jumped nine percent in the Des Moines metro and six percent in Cedar Rapids during that 12-month period.

The Associated General Contractors of America is the trade association for the construction industry. The group’s chief economist says there’s growth in construction in about two-thirds of the country, while construction job losses are being recorded in states like New Jersey, West Virginia and Arizona. Missouri was the only neighboring state to record job losses in construction — the decline there was just one percent. Minnesota had the largest jump in construction jobs in the region — an eight percent increase in June of this year compared to June of last year.

Metro areas on Iowa’s borders saw little to no growth in construction employment during the period. There was a one percent increase in construction jobs in the Quad Cities during the period, while the report found no construction job gains in the Omaha/Council Bluffs metro.

(Radio Iowa)