OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A monthly survey of business leaders suggests economic conditions continue to improve for nine Midwest and Plains states. A report released Wednesday says the Mid-America Business Conditions Index rose to 58.8 in October from 58.2 in September. The August figure was 57.5. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he says national and regional indices indicate the manufacturing sector is expanding at a very healthy pace.

The survey results are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests growth in that factor. A score below that suggests decline. The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 4:15 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — One of three private insurance companies that help run Iowa’s Medicaid program plans to withdraw in a month. The Iowa Department of Human Services announced Tuesday that AmeriHealth Caritas will end its Medicaid coverage at the end of November. The state agency also announced it would spend more money as part of new contracts with the remaining companies, Amerigroup and UnitedHealthcare. The move means about 215,000 Iowans will transfer to the remaining companies.

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Authorities say slippery conditions from rain and snow likely caused a rock climber to fall to his death from the First Flatiron in Boulder. Carrie Haverfield, a spokeswoman for the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, says investigators believe deteriorating weather conditions caused 31-year-old Erik Kleiber to fall about 430 feet from the iron-shaped rock formation Thursday. The Daily Camera reports it does not appear that the Boulder man was using any climbing equipment.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The FBI credits a new computer algorithm for identifying more than 200 previously unknown bodies found in locations throughout the country since the 1970s. The new system is able to make matches from low-quality prints or even a single finger or thumb. The cases range from a Texas man found in the mid-1980s in Iowa to an 18-year-old runaway who was found shot to death in 1999 in Arizona. Many of those identified died in the desert after crossing the border from Mexico into the U.S.

NEW VIENNA, Iowa (AP) — Authorities are blaming a manure runoff from a dairy farm for killing about 60,000 fish in eastern Iowa. The fish kill was reported Oct. 9 in two creeks in Dyersville. The farm is about 3 miles east of New Vienna. The Iowa Natural Resources Department has issued a notice of violation and is expected to seek restitution for the fish, including minnows, white suckers and creek chubs.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — One of three private insurance companies that help run Iowa’s Medicaid program plans to withdraw in a month.

The Iowa Department of Human Services announced Tuesday that AmeriHealth Caritas will end its Medicaid coverage at the end of November. The state agency also announced it would spend more money as part of new contracts with the remaining companies, Amerigroup and UnitedHealthcare.

DHS described the additional spending as a 3.3 percent rate increase, but officials did not provide more specifics. Department director Jerry Foxhoven says the extra spending will be funded through existing agency dollars.

The move means about 215,000 Iowans enrolled in the health care program for poor and disabled people will transfer to the remaining companies. DHS then plans to hire another company to offer coverage beginning next summer.

The Harlan Police Department reports two recent arrests. On Sunday, 38-year old Christopher Thomas Hanshaw, of Council Bluffs, was arrested following a traffic stop at the intersection of Hwy 59 and Cyclone Ave.  Hanshaw was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while suspended, financial liability coverage, windshield requirements, and careless driving.

And, on Oct. 25th, 45-year old Larry Monroe Lange, of Harlan, was arrested following a report of disturbance in the 1400 block of 7th Street.  Lange was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with assault with bodily injury and trespass.

Last Saturday, 29-year old Charlie Bennett Hadfield, of Earling, was cited by Harlan Police, for possession of drug paraphernalia following a traffic stop in the 1600 block of Willow Street.

Harlan Police report also, that on Saturday, Larry Wingert, of Avoca, was driving a 1996 Ford F-150 pickup and pulling up to the Harlan Kwik Rx Pharmacy.  When Wingert tried to stop, his brakes failed, causing the vehicle to strike the front door of the business. No dollar amount of the damage was reported, and there no injuries reported.