PELLA, Iowa – After a seven-month long investigation, authorities have charged a day care provider with Involuntary Manslaughter in connection with the death of a 17-month old girl, in June 2015. 32-year old Valerie Wackerly, of Pella, plead guilty to the charge Thursday, and faces up to five-years in prison and fines amounting to as much as $7,500. The child in her care died two-days after she was improperly placed in a car seat and allowed to nap in a darkened room, unsupervised. The cause of death was determined to be mechanical/positional asphyxia.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Governor Terry Branstad and House Republican leaders have different views this session on the impact of a tax bill that would cut available state revenue by more than $95 million. The House overwhelmingly voted 82-14 Thursday for legislation that would make retroactive tax changes to better mirror federal guidelines. The non-partisan Legislative Services Agency projects the bill would reduce available state revenue by more than $95 million. Branstad didn’t support the measure in his budget recommendations.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Hundreds of people calling for a higher minimum wage marched several blocks through downtown Des Moines and gathered near the venue of a Republican presidential debate. At least 500 people joined Thursday night at a downtown square and then walked to an area to rally about a block from the Iowa Events Center, the site of the GOP debate. The march and rally were the latest actions taken by a group that earlier in the day included workers at fast food restaurants who walked off their jobs to demand $15-an-hour wages.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — With just days to go until the Iowa caucuses, the state’s longtime Republican governor says that the federal government has failed to assure the American people that they are safe. Governor Terry Branstad, who is likely serving out his last term in office, is declining to publicly endorse anyone in this year’s crowded Republican field, but he applauds those who have made national security a central theme in their campaign platforms — anyone, that is, except Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. Iowans are gearing up for the country’s leadoff vote on February 1st.

The Atlantic Police Department is reporting three recent arrests. On Wednesday, 28-year old Aaron Macias, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Cass County warrant for Failure to Appear in court on an original Controlled Substance violation charge. On Jan. 22nd, 21-year old Elizabeth Simmons, of Boone, was arrested on a warrant out of Boone County, for Failure to Appear. And,  28-year old Tanya Duranceau, of Atlantic, was arrested January 20th for Child Endangerment. Duranceau posted a $2,000 bond and has an arraignment hearing on Feb. 8th. Trial was set for March 29th.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Some Iowa fast food workers have walked off the job in Des Moines to demand $15-an-hour wages, and they are planning other protests that include a demonstration outside the venue of a Republican presidential debate. Workers held a strike at 6 a.m. Thursday at a McDonald’s in northeast Des Moines. Other events are planned Thursday, ending with a short march through downtown and then rally at the Iowa Events Center, site of a GOP debate.

Wiley King, a Wendy’s worker who walked off the job Thursday, says the strike included workers from McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s and Long John Silver’s. King says they hope media attention during the Iowa caucuses will help them draw attention to the needs of low-wage workers. Organizers hope to draw 1,000 people to the rally.

(DES MOINES) – On Tuesday, Rep. Steve Holt (R-Denison) and Sen. Jason Schultz (R-Schleswig) hosted members of the AHSTW FFA chapter to the floor of the Iowa House of Representatives. The students met with legislators and toured the Capitol for FFA’s Day on the Hill.

Pictured here are Sen. Jason Schultz, members of the AHSTW FFA chapter, their advisor Jeff Mayes (seated) and Rep. Steve Holt.

Authorities in Harrison County say a woman was critically injured during a rollover accident this (Thursday) morning. The Omaha World-Herald says Harrison County 911 emergency dispatchers reported that the accident occurred around 6:55 a.m. just south of Mondamin.The woman was taken by medical helicopter to Creighton University Medical Center. No other details are currently available.

An Atlantic woman was arrested at a motel in Omaha Wednesday morning following an incident that caused injuries to an Omaha Police Officer and resulted in the arrest of two other people. KETV in Omaha reports the incident occurred at around 1:45-a.m. Wednesday, when authorities were trying to serve a felony warrant for 19-year old Selena Hansen, of Atlantic, who was staying at a hotel near 90th and Burt Streets.

When police arrived, officials saw other individuals in a Ford Explorer in the hotel parking lot. The SUV tried to leave, it struck an Omaha Police Department cruiser, causing an Officer to be injured. Authorities took the driver, 30-year old Misael Diaz,  into custody. Police found a defaced gun in the vehicle and determined the car had been stolen.