AMES, Iowa (AP) — Authorities are investigating a state organization that trains and certifies Iowa firefighters due to allegations involving the certification process. The Department of Public Safety on Friday announced the investigation of the Fire Service Training Bureau, located at Iowa State University in Ames. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation’s inquiry will examine the scoring and certification process for those who took classes from the bureau.

Authorities also say Randal Novak, who had served as bureau chief since 2001, was placed on paid administrative leave on April 25 and retired June 2. John McPhee, the certification and accreditation coordinator was placed on paid administrative leave April 25. He has worked for the bureau since 1998. Kyle Gorsh, a state fire marshal special agent, will serve as interim bureau chief.

The announcement came one day after The Associated Press made inquiries on the matter. Novak said Thursday his retirement had nothing to do with any problems in the bureau.

The Republican-led House has narrowly rejected a proposal to ban so-called “DREAMERS” from enlisting in the military. President Obama issued an executive order deferring all deportations for young adults who were brought into the country illegally when they were children. Republican Congressman Steve King argues those young people do not belong in the military.

“They broke the law to come into America, then they lied to get into the military and then they took an oath to support and defend the constitution of the United States,” King said during remarks on the House floor. “So I’d say: Which of those three times were they really honorable?'” King and other Republicans accuse the president of trying to get “backdoor amnesty” for these so-called “DREAMERS” who enlist in the military.

“I think there’s something missing from this debate,” King says. “It’s an assumption that if we have someone in the military, that somehow they’re legal. The president can’t legalize people that unlawfully present in America…He just asserts that executively and we have to go to court, then, to reverse it and get the courts to change that.”

The ban King supported lost by one vote in the U.S. House. Critics of the ban say the military needs the “best and brightest” and those who have known no other home than America should be able to serve. Two years ago the U.S. military began enlisting undocumented immigrants with special medical or language skills. If they wind up serving in a combat zone, they are granted U.S. citizenship.

(Radio Iowa)

After Sunday’s mass shootings in Orlando, Florida, many Iowans are being inspired to contribute to various funds to bring relief and awareness, but they also need to beware. Jim Hegarty, head of the Better Business Bureau in Omaha-Council Bluffs, is warning Iowans to stay watchful for con artists.

Hegarty says, “Offshore scammers are already setting up fictitious sites, they’re sending bogus emails and often, when we see a tragedy like this, we’ll see click-bait used to download malware into people’s systems.” He says steer clear of online videos that claim to have new information on the shootings and if you do want to give money, stick with organizations you’ve dealt with before.

“Make your contributions to well-known, established charities,” he says, “and it would be best if you initiate the gift yourself, call the charity.” The Better Business Bureau maintains a website that’s devoted to helping people sort out legitimate charitable organizations from those that are questionable.

“Give-dot-org provides people with charitable accountability information on charities that operate all over the country,” Hegarty says. “Look at the charity. Check out their review and make sure they’re meeting the charitable accountability standards you’d want them to meet before supporting them.” He says to be very careful as a host of “Go Fund Me” efforts are showing up on social media in the past week and they aren’t likely all reputable.

(Radio Iowa)