Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa health officials say half of all potential contracts for Medicaid services have been signed ahead of the state’s switch to privatized care on Jan. 1. The Iowa Department of Human Services says the four private companies taking over the state’s Medicaid program have signed a total of more than 62,000 contracts with medical providers.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa officials say they’re trying to figure out how to respond to excessive alcohol consumption at multiple state beaches. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources said it’s collecting informal public comments on ways to reduce alcohol-related incidents on beaches at state parks and state recreation areas. Iowa State Parks Bureau Chief Todd Coffelt says the inquiry is in response to reported cases of excessive alcohol consumption at multiple state beaches.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Federal education officials say Iowa and Nebraska have the top high school graduation rates in the country. Data released by the Education Department show Iowa ranked first among all states with a graduation rate of 90.5 percent for the 2013-2014 school year. Nebraska came in second with a graduation rate of 89.7 percent for the same period.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The value of Iowa farmland has declined for the second year in a row. An Iowa State University survey says the statewide average is about $7,600 an acre, compared to $8,700 two years ago. Researchers say they’re not expecting a rebound soon because of falling farm income and stagnant commodity prices.

Fifteen Iowa cities will benefit from a combined total of more than $9.1 million in low-cost water quality loans through the State Revolving Fund. Among them, is Underwood, which is receiving $313,000 for a sewer lift station and force main, and, Winterset, which is receiving $1.4-million for sewer treatment improvements.

State Revolving Fund Construction Loans are a low-cost construction financing option available for Iowa cities and municipalities for water quality initiatives. Planning & Design Loans are zero percent loans that assist with the first-phase of project expenses. The Iowa Finance Authority and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources jointly administer the State Revolving Fund in Iowa.

The State Revolving Fund has awarded Iowa communities and municipalities more than $2.5 billion in Construction Loans and $130 million through Planning & Design Loans since the program’s inception. More information is available at IowaSRF.com.

More than 200 Iowans will be getting refunds after they unknowingly enrolled in an expensive buying club. A Tennessee-based company that operates the website SavingsGalore.com has agreed to stop enrolling Iowans and make some $20,000 in refunds. The Iowa Attorney General’s Office reports the company failed to post clear notices and disclosures about when a consumer is being signed up for a buying club membership.

In many cases, Iowans discovered unexpected membership charges to their credit or debit cards, but they’d gone unnoticed for months or even years. According to the A-G’s office, consumers who signed up for the buying club will be contacted by the state about their refund.

(Radio Iowa)