OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Figures from a survey of supply managers in nine Midwest and Plains states have risen for the third month in a row, suggesting more improvement in the regional economy. A report issued today (Friday) says the Mid-American Business Conditions Index rose to 50.6 in March from 50.5 in February and 48.3 in January. The survey results are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests economic growth. A score below that suggests decline.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he says a strong U.S. dollar and economic weakness among the nation’s chief trading partners continues to slow regional growth. The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

Police in Council Bluffs say a man from Omaha was arrested Tuesday night after he was found with two unregistered handguns, live ammunition and a bag of marijuana at a Council Bluffs casino. Sgt. Dave Dawson told the Omaha World-Herald 29-year old Jarrod Ober allegedly walked into Ameristar Casino around 10-p.m. Tuesday, with a loaded gun in a holster and another loaded gun tucked into his pants. Ober was charged with Carrying Weapons and Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana.

According to an arrest affidavit, Ameristar Casino security began investigating after the 29-year-old left behind a black and green bag filled with marijuana and ammunition inside the casino gift shop. After finding the bag, security searched his room and found two empty gun cases on the TV stand.

The Council Bluffs Police Department was called and officers spoke with the man, who admitted to carrying the weapons and leaving the bag in the gift shop. Police found 66 grams of marijuana. The Glock 42 was loaded with six live rounds, and the Glock 23 was loaded with 15 live rounds. The bag had additional ammunition.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

WEST UNION, Iowa (AP) — A man is facing multiple charges after he allegedly threatened to kill a northeast Iowa police chief. Authorities say 32-year-old Joshua Sargent was released on bond from the Fayette County jail Wednesday after being arrested on burglary charges. Moments after his release police say Sargent called Fayette police Chief Richard Pisanti and threated to kill him. Deputies found Sargent a few miles from the jail, armed with a knife. He is back in custody and faces additional charges.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Leaders in the split Iowa Legislature say they’re still negotiating a deal over the state budget, but they remain tight-lipped on releasing more details. Lawmakers for the Democratic-controlled Senate and the Republican-majority House said yesterday they’re working together to reach an agreement on the budget that goes into effect in July.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s $4.2 billion Medicaid program is about to switch to private management, and lawmakers are still debating what state oversight should be in place under the new system. Senate President Pam Jochum, a Dubuque Democrat, says she’s receiving correspondence from Medicaid patients who express confusion and concern about their services once privatization goes live Friday.

GRINNELL, Iowa (AP) — Governor Terry Branstad has signed a bill into law that legalizes the use of gun suppressors in Iowa. Branstad signed the bill Thursday at a firearms supplier in Grinnell.

The debate over fireworks has been reignited in the state senate. A bill to make it legal to sell and set off fireworks cleared a subcommittee this morning (Thursday) with the backing of Democratic Senator Bill Dotzler of Waterloo. “If you look at the polling about fireworks, I think the majority of Iowans are in support of it,” Dotzler said. Dotzler envisions making it legal to set off fireworks from Christmas Eve through the 3rd of January and in late June and early July — for the Independence Day holiday.

“People on the 4th of July like to celebrate the founding of our country and it’s always been a tradition across America and I think Iowa’s kind of ready for it,” Dotzler says. The bill’s future is uncertain, however, as supporters have not agreed on the details, like exactly when it would be legal to SELL fireworks in Iowa. Opponents have killed similar efforts to legalize fireworks over the past several years. Senator Janet Petersen, a Democrat from Des Moines, says legalizing fireworks is unpopular in her district.

“I guess there’ll be a few 12 year olds around the state who’ll be disappointed with my vote,” Petersen says. A brief public hearing at the statehouse today (Thursday) on the bill attracted two opponents and no supporters. Iowa Firefighters Association vice president Marv Trimble of Garrison says during his 35 year career, he’s responded to both fires and injuries caused by fireworks.

“First of all, you never know what it is usually because even if it is fireworks, people don’t say it’s fireworks when they call,” Trimble says. “…Most of the time people will not admit it was fireworks until everything else is eliminated as a cause and then they will admit: ‘Yeah, we were using fireworks.'” Last year the Iowa House passed a bill legalizing fireworks in the state. The Republican leader in the Iowa House smiled today (Thursday) when reporters told him the issue had been revived in the Iowa Senate, but he’s wary of predicting ultimate victory s for fireworks supporters this year. The only fireworks which ARE legal to sell and ignite in Iowa today are sparklers and snakes.

(Radio Iowa)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Leaders in the split Iowa Legislature say they’re still negotiating a deal over the state budget, but they remain tight-lipped on releasing more details. Lawmakers for the Democratic-controlled Senate and the Republican-majority House told reporters Thursday they’re working together to reach an agreement on the budget that goes into effect in July.

Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, a Council Bluffs Democrat, says there’s been “frank discussions” and there are “significant differences,” but he refused to provide more information. House Speaker Linda Upmeyer, a Clear Lake Republican, says there’s been progress but GOP leaders “have to take things off the table” that the Senate may want. She refused to elaborate.

Both sides agree there’s about $7.35 billion available, most of which is expected to be status quo from the previous budget.