Two students who escaped from court ordered custody at the Clarinda Academy this (Thursday) morning escaped, but were captured about three hours later. Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers reports the students, both from Minnesota, absconded from the Clarinda Academy at around 4-a.m.  They were apprehended at around 7-a.m. in the back yard of a residence in the 400 block of E. Lincoln Street in Clarinda, after a brief foot chase. They have since been returned to the facility for At-Risk and Delinquent youth, where they were ordered held by Ramsey County, Minnesota juvenile court authorities.

Assisting with the search and apprehension of the students were the Clarinda Police Department, Clarinda Academy staff, Clarinda Fire Department firefighters and the Clarinda CRHC/EMS staff.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Legislature has approved most bills needed to finalize the roughly $7.2 billion state budget, an indication that adjournment is near for the session.

The Republican-controlled chambers have voted in support of several budget bills over the span of days that address spending on everything from education to economic development. Lawmakers are scheduled back at the Capitol on Thursday, though it’s unclear what day they will finish work.

The Senate must still vote on funding for health and human services. Both chambers must finalize the so-called standing appropriation bill, which includes state spending for a variety of purposes across several state agencies. It is often the last bill passed in the session and attracts last-minute and sometimes controversial proposals that lawmakers hope to tack on before adjournment.

Police in Council Bluffs say a man from Missouri suspected of robbery was arrested late Wednesday night after a scuffle with officers and a brief foot pursuit. Officers responded to the Horseshoe Casino at around 11:37-p.m. for a reported robbery. No weapon was used during the incident. After checking the area the suspect, later identified as 22-year old Donovan Ayers, of St. Louis, MO., was located in front of the Hilton Garden and Suites and was positively identified by the victim.

Authorities say as Ayers was being placed in handcuffs he fought with officers and fled on foot. Officers located Ayers hiding in the area marsh in front of Bass Pro Shop and taken him custody. One officer suffered minor injuries while trying to arrest Ayers. Ayers was treated at Mercy Hospital for a minor injury and then taken to Pottawattamie County Jail.

He was charged with Theft in the 1st degree, Assault on a Police Officer, Disorderly Conduct in a place of Business, Interference with Official Acts, and Eluding.