Gasoline prices are expected to be the lowest in a decade for Iowans during the Labor Day holiday weekend ahead. Rose White, at Triple-A-Iowa, says those falling gas prices along with rising wages are helping to boost Iowans’ disposable income — which should lead to a boost in travel for the last vacation of summer. “Thirty-five-point-five million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home during the Labor Day holiday, the highest volume for the holiday since 2008,” White says. “This will mark the fourth consecutive year of overall travel growth for the Labor Day holiday period.”

A motor club survey finds most travelers, about 86-percent, will be getting from Point A to Point B using a motor vehicle. “Those hitting the roadways will find very favorable fuel prices,” White says. “In Iowa, the state average is $2.51 and that’s down 83 cents from prices we saw a year ago. Just during the last week, they’ve fallen from $2.65 down to the current level of $2.51.” Not everyone has cemented a complete schedule for the three-day weekend, and there’s help if you need suggestions.

“If you haven’t yet made travel plans, there’s a wealth of information that can be found on the website traveliowa.com,” White says. “Families are encouraged to visit the site to learn more. If you enjoy camping, visit IowaDNR.gov.” For Iowans who are flying this weekend, airfares are expected to be one-percent lower for Labor Day compared to last year.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — The trace of a pesky insect that slowly kills ash trees has been reported in Dubuque County in eastern Iowa. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship says emerald ash borer was confirmed in Dubuque. The discovery means the insect has been confirmed in 28 Iowa counties. The emerald ash borer is a small, metallic-green beetle. Its larvae chew into the layer of wood under the bark, cutting off the flow of water and nutrients to an ash tree.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Officials of the Gazette Company in Cedar Rapids say they have agreed to sell television station KCRG to an Atlanta, Georgia company for $100 million. KCRG-TV9, an ABC affiliate, serves Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Waterloo and Dubuque. The sale to Gray Television is effective Oct. 1.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Cedar Rapids will need to install thousands of new curb ramps and make changes to parks, buildings and parking lots under an Americans with Disabilities Act settlement with the federal government. City officials say the price tag could top $15 million. The federal government is giving the city four years to make all the changes.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An August business survey of suggests an economic slowdown ahead for Iowa and eight other Midwest and Plains States. The Mid-American Business Conditions Index dropped to 49.6 last month. Survey organizers say any score under 50 points to a decline.

The latest survey of the CEOs of Iowa’s largest companies shows they’re expecting the state’s economy will be cooling off in the coming six months. Elliott Smith is executive director of the Iowa Business Council (IBC). “The release of our third quarter survey did indicate a bit of a tempering of enthusiasm, I think, for some of the economic activity that we’ve seen lately,” Smith said. The survey employs a 100 point scale, with a score over 50 considered “positive sentiment.” The IBC’s third quarter Overall Economic Outlook Survey Index was 59 — eight points lower than last quarter and six points lower than one year ago.

“I think we are seeing some impact of international economic activity finally resonating here in the state, simply because so much of Iowa’s business activity itself rests on export trade and international business,” Smith said. The survey shows most of the CEOs anticipate steady or increased hiring levels, sales and capital spending between September and February. But, Smith notes the numbers in all three of those categories are down from previous surveys.

“Yes, the survey did back off a little bit from its previous optimism, but I think we’re still in for a decent remainder of 2015,” Smith said. ” The numbers still remain solidly in positive sentiment territory, so I don’t know if there’s any need to raise red flags of warning yet.”

(Radio Iowa) – more online at www.iowabusinesscouncil.org

The Red Oak Police Department announced the arrest Tuesday of 17-year-old Dakota Girouex of Red Oak for Driving While Revoked (a serious misdemeanor).  Girouex was arrested at 3:25pm at the intersection of North 5th Street and East Elm Street in Red Oak.  Girouex was taken to the Montgomery County Jail and cited into Juvenile Court and released to her parents.