FORT MADISON, Iowa (AP) – Eighteen inmates were disciplined on suspicion of using or possessing synthetic drugs at the Iowa State Penitentiary during a dangerous outbreak that has been contained.

Disciplinary records show inmates who smoked powerful synthetic marijuana acted violently, vomited, screamed and hurt themselves falling. One suffered a seizure, one had to be sprayed with chemicals and several had to be transported in wheelchairs for treatment. Inmates used everything from batteries to razor parts as heat sources to smoke the drugs, which were concealed inside foil and latex glove fingers. One inmate made a pipe from a playing card.

The incidents happened between March 22 and May 5. Department of Corrections spokeswoman Lettie Prell says the prison, which tightened its security for mail and visitors, doesn’t expect any more cases. Inmates were punished with detention and loss of earned time.

ANKENY, Iowa (AP) – The parents of an Ankeny baby have been accused of injuring their son. Ankeny police say in a news release that 23-year-old Anthony Weber and 20-year-old Jennifer Stoddard are charged with two felonies each: neglect or abandonment of a dependent person and child endangerment causing serious injury.
Both remained in Polk County Jail today (Friday).

Officers and medics were called to the couple’s apartment on April 28 because the baby was having trouble breathing. Police say the child was taken to a hospital, and hospital workers later told police the child had injuries consistent with weeks of abuse.

Police say the child remains hospitalized with serious injuries.

DES MOINES, IOWA – Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 3.1 percent in April. The state’s jobless rate was 3.8 percent one year ago. The U.S. unemployment rate dropped to 4.4 percent in April.

Beth Townsend, Iowa Workforce Development Director, said “The Iowa economy provided little clue in terms of long-term trend in April, with slight change in most economic measures.There was another small decrease in total nonfarm employment for the state, a possible sign that businesses are a little more apprehensive about hiring to begin the summer season compared to previous years. This was particularly true in construction which is down slightly compared to last year’s record highs.”

The number of unemployed Iowans remained at 52,100 in April. The current estimate is 11,900 lower than the year ago level of 64,000. The total number of working Iowans decreased to 1,640,000 in April. This figure was 200 lower than March and 3,300 higher than one year ago.

Seasonally Adjusted Nonfarm Employment: Following a hiring surge to begin the year, total nonfarm employment has been sluggish over the past two months, shedding 1,400 jobs since February, and now rests at 1,579,700 jobs in April. While job growth was particularly anemic in goods-producing sectors, half of all private sectors shed jobs this month. Among public entities, government shed jobs for the fourth consecutive month and pared 500 jobs in April. Government trails last year’s mark by 1,300 jobs due primarily to reductions at the local level.

Construction was down 1,500 jobs in April to lead all sectors. This sector continues to trail last year’s historic highs slightly, but may exceed those marks as the summer projects hit their peak. Manufacturing also lost jobs this month (-700) stemming from reductions in durable goods factories which have now decreased in three of the last four months. Smaller drops this month included other services (-500), information (-300), and trade and transportation (-300). Alternatively, job gains this month were largest in education and health care (+1,800) and were fueled by larger than expected hiring in health services and social assistance. Financial activities expanded again this month and added 800 jobs. This month’s increase marks the eighth-consecutive gain dating back to August 2016. Smaller gains in April included professional and business services (+400) and leisure and hospitality (+300).

Annually, Iowa has added 8,000 jobs over the past twelve months. Health care industries have boosted the education and health services super sector to a gain of 5,300 jobs. Professional and business services remains up 3,900 jobs due primarily to hiring in professional, scientific, and technical services. The financial activities sector has steadily trended up over the past several months and is now up 3,500 jobs annually. On the other hand, annual losses are now evident in four private super sectors in Iowa and continue to be led by manufacturing (-4,100). Durable goods factories continue to struggle with weak demand and retooling factories are down markedly versus one year ago (-3,700). Information continues to adjust to the changing economy and trails last year’s level by 1,500 jobs. Construction is also down annually (-1,300), although this loss is compared to historic highs reached last year and this sector may be recovering from a weak start to the summer building surge.

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.

Officials with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) serving Nebraska, South Dakota, the Kansas Plains and Southwest Iowa, are advising consumers to use caution if solicited by Professional Fundraising Association LLC. The BBB says it has received reports from Nebraska residents that this company is going door-to-door allegedly raising funds for veterans and active soldiers.

According to the BBB of Northeast Florida and The Southeast Atlantic, “the head of Professional Fundraising Association, located in Brooklet, Ga., has ties to several businesses whose fundraising efforts on behalf of veterans have come under criticism by BBB and law enforcement authorities.” Additionally, Professional Fundraising Association is not a charity and has an “F” rating with the BBB. Locally, it does not have a Peddler’s Permit which is required for for-profit door-to-door solicitation companies in many Nebraska communities.

BBB President and CEO Jim Hegarty said: “Just because the solicitor claims they are collecting money for veterans’ causes, doesn’t mean the funds are really going there. Charity fraud varies from outright scams to a misrepresentation of how much of a donation actually goes to help veterans. Be sure that your donation ends up helping veterans by following these tips from BBB Wise Giving Alliance.”

How to Protect Yourself from Veterans Charity Scams:

Mistaken Identity: Watch out for name confusion. Many veterans’ charities include virtually the same words in a different order or slightly different form.
Is a Peddler’s Permit required? Verify with your local city offices to see if for- profit soliciting groups are required to have a Peddler’s Permit. Charities usually do not need one.
Check for identification: All door-to-door solicitors should have an ID badge. If not, report this by calling the non-emergency police number in your city.
Program Descriptions: Look for a clear description of the organization’s programs in its appeals and website. If it says it is helping veterans, does it explain how (financial assistance, shelter, counseling), and where it is doing so?
Telemarketing Cautions: Telemarketing can be a costly method of fund raising unless carefully managed. If called, do not hesitate to ask for written information on the charity’s programs and finances.
On-the-Spot Donation Decisions: Be wary of excessive pressure in fund raising. Don’t be pressured to make an immediate on-the-spot donation. Charities should welcome your gift whenever you want to send it.
Donating Used Clothing and Other Goods: Find out how the charity benefits from the collection and resale of used clothing and other in-kind gifts. Sometimes the charity receives only a small portion of the resale price of the item or may have a contractual arrangement to get a flat fee for every household pick-up, no matter what the contents.
Check with Outside Sources before Giving: Visit BBB Wise Giving Alliance’ at give.org to access reports that summarize rigorous evaluations in relation to 20 holistic BBB Charity Standards that address governance, results reporting, finances and appeal accuracy. Also, you can find a list of Veteran Service Organizations (VSO) at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website and information about Military Service Organizations (MSO) at the U.S. Military Community Information and Outreach website.