Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Legislature has taken another step toward adjournment by agreeing to budget spending targets, but lawmakers still must decide details over what areas of state government will actually get some of the limited new dollars available. It’s unclear whether the split Legislature will reach consensus in time for an adjournment scheduled on April 19th.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The trial of a man accused of fatally shooting a woman inside the Coral Ridge Mall last summer is scheduled to begin Tuesday. Twenty-two-year-old Alexander Kozak is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of 20-year-old Andrea Farrington. Kozak’s trial, which was moved to Story County because of media attention, is expected to last two weeks.

WEST BEND, Iowa (AP) — A group of seven northwest Iowa grain elevators are being sold to a farmers cooperative in the area. The Sioux City Journal reports MaxYield Cooperative in West Bend is buying the elevators in Superior, Gruver, Milford, Everly, Spencer, Langdon and Greenville. The deal also includes an LP gas storage facility in Royal. The purchase price was not disclosed. The deal is expected to close by May 1st.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The three northern Iowa counties being sued by a Des Moines water utility have received $900,000 in donations to cover most of their legal bills, but officials won’t identify the donors. The Register reports Sac, Buena Vista and Calhoun counties released about 260 pages of legal records.

Authorities in western Iowa are searching for a man who failed to return from a work release program this weekend. 25-year old Colton Edward Benson-Blaine was listed as escaped from the Council Bluffs Work Release Facility after he failed to return from his place of employment. Benson is described as being a white male, 6-feet 2-inches tall, weighing 232 pounds. He was blonde hair, blue eyes, and a scar on his right wrist.

Benson-Blaine was serving a 12-year sentence for out of Shelby and Pottawattamie Counties for Voluntary manslaughter, Operating a Vehicle without consent and Voluntary Absence. His sentence began Aug. 5th, 2011. He was transferred to Work Release on March 16th, 2016 under the authority of the Iowa Board of Parole.

If you see him, notify the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, Council Bluffs Police, or your local law enforcement agency.

Colton Edward Benson-Blaine

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Legislature has taken another step toward adjournment by agreeing to budget spending targets, but lawmakers still must decide details over what areas of state government will actually get some of the limited new dollars available.

It’s unclear whether the split Legislature will reach consensus in time for an adjournment scheduled on April 19, but some legislative leaders believe it’s possible. It will come down to a set of budget groups that must allocate funding based on the spending targets. Many areas of state government will receive little new money.

Lawmakers agree there is about $7.34 billion to spend on the state budget that takes effect in July. It’s also unclear whether lawmakers will pass legislation before the session wraps up that addresses water quality initiatives or medical marijuana.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The three northern Iowa counties being sued by a Des Moines water utility have received $900,000 in donations to cover most of their legal bills, but officials won’t identify the donors. The Des Moines Register reports Sac, Buena Vista and Calhoun counties released released about 260 pages of legal records.

One of Calhoun County’s attorneys, David Wollenzien, says the counties are trying to get permission from donors to share more, but they don’t believe they’re required to identify them because state law exempts donations from foundations that support government.

The lawsuit filed last year by Des Moines Water Works alleges the three counties that oversee 10 agricultural drainage districts should be required to obtain federal water pollution discharge permits because they release pollutants into rivers much like regulated factories.

The Atlantic High School Building Trades Program steering committee is looking for someone to assist with the implementing the course. The program, “Project Renovate,” will initially enroll AHS juniors and seniors, and provide opportunities not accessible in a classroom environment, for students to work and learn in a construction field.

Industrial Technology teacher Derek Bair developed curriculum for the course, and students are in the process of registering for next year’s classes. The course will benefit those students who are interested in entering the world of work upon completion of high school, or those who might enroll at a technical college, upon graduation.

A steering committee for the program consists of local contractors, carpenters and land developers, who have been providing program guidance and development. The committee currently has two construction projects under review. They are looking for an individual who may be interested in assisting with the course.

The steering committee continues to work bi-monthly to help the program gain momentum and move forward. For more information, contact AHS Principal Heather McKay at 712-243-5358, Joann Runyon, Atlantic Middle School School-to-Work Coordinator, at 243-1330, or Superintendent Dr. Michael Amstein, at 243-4252.

Or, e-mail projectrenovate@atlanticschools.org.