DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court is clearing the way for Iowa to collect sales taxes on digital goods and services. The court ruled Thursday that states can force companies operating online to collect taxes, reversing decades-old decisions that had stymied efforts to collect sales taxes on many online transactions. Earlier this year, Iowa legislators approved expanding sales tax to digital goods like e-books, subscription services like Netflix, ride-sharing apps like Uber and physical goods purchased online. The new sales taxes will go into effect in January.

The nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency estimates the expansion will bring in $42 million to the state in the fiscal year beginning July 1. That climbs to about $103 million in the next fiscal year. It was unclear before the court’s ruling whether the new taxes would be collected. The expected revenues would help reduce the estimated cost of property tax cuts in the same legislation.

Members of the Exira-EHK School Board met Wednesday evening during a regular session. Superintendent Trevor Miller said District construction projects are going well, and crews are scampering around trying to wrap things up by the first week of August. Miller said progress on the various projects, like the Exira school’s playground, are dependent on cooperation from Mother Nature.

Miller said also the Exira-EHK Board approved a new, acceptable use policy for Technology for 2018-19. He said the policy change will make school-issued laptop computers a cooperative “buy-in” for $20, instead of a fee. It’s also optional. The policy makes it more affordable for the student and their family to have it repaired if something happens to the 1:1 laptop device, like a shattered screen.

Without the buy-in, the parents would have to come-up with $300 to replace the Chromebook laptop. He said also, the Board approved the bread, milk and diesal fuel bids from the same sources as last school year. And, they have agreed to purchase and International 65-passenger bus for $82,500, which will replace a bus that no longer passes inspection. The new bus brings their fleet up-to-date.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports man from Minden was arrested at around 2:45-a.m. today (Thursday),on a warrant for two counts of Child Endangerment. A Pott. County Deputy observed 39-year old Michael Hillis‘ vehicle outside 211 Park in Minden, with the lights and TV on inside the residence. After about 10 minutes of knocking to serve a warrant, Hillis finally came to the door and was subsequently arrested once the warrant was confirmed. Hillis repeatedly said he didn’t understand the warrant and thinks the courts have it out for him. At jail he was given a hard copy of the warrant to read himself to better understand it. Hillis was booked into the jail and held on $5,000 bond.

32-year old Jeremy  Bo Ariel Gil, of Council Bluffs, who was serving time in the Pott. County Jail, was served with a warrant, Wednesday afternoon, for Felony Theft in the 2nd Degree (Pick pocketing).  Gil was returned to the custody of jail staff. A woman from Nebraska was arrested on drug charges in Pottawattamie County. 34 year old Alicia Faye Rogers, of Fremont, NE, faces charges that include Possession of Controlled Substance Methamphetamine, Unlawful Possession of Prescription Pills, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. In her possession authorities found .6 gram of methamphetamine, 29 1/2 Gabapentin, and 27 Chlopromazine pills, as well as drug paraphernalia. Rogers’s bond was set at 1,000.

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Roman Catholic Diocese of Des Moines intends to conduct a legal review of $844,000 in Polk County grants that aided nine area Catholic schools. On Wednesday Bishop Richard Pates told The Des Moines Register there is “a legitimate question of legality” regarding the publicly financed grants used to buy equipment for the nine Catholic schools and one Christian academy in 2012 and 2013. Iowa state officials say they won’t challenge Polk County’s decision to provide the grants.

Several Catholic school supporters formed a new Iowa corporation called Education for the 21st Century to apply for and receive the county grants. The county Board of Supervisors awarded the corporation a $400,000 grant in 2012 and a $444,000 grant in 2013. The group is now defunct.

The National Weather Service in Des Moines said a storm survey team may be sent to the Perry area, today (Thursday), where a tornado reportedly touched down three-miles north of town at around 2:30-p.m., Wednesday. Large trees were uprooted. The twister was one of seven reported across the State. One tornado was confirmed to have taken place two-miles northwest of Scranton, in Greene County. The rope-like twister was caught on video by employees of Scranton Manufacturing, and professional storm chasers. Other, unconfirmed tornadoes were observed near: New Providence and Hubbard, in Hardin County; near Paton, in Greene County; and two separate instances happened west and southwest of Chillicothe, in Wapello County.

In other areas, funnel clouds were observed near: Steamboat Rock, in Hardin County; 3 miles west of Adel, in Dallas County; near Harcourt,in Webster County, and near Gilbert, in Story County. There were no reports of injuries. The Weather Service said a preliminary assessment indicates the tornadoes were a weak EF-0, with wind speeds less than 73-miles per hour. The storms also brought heavy rain to parts of the area. 1.25-inches was reported to have fallen three-miles west of Oakland, at around 4-p.m., Wednesday.

The Creston Police Dept. reports a man from Adair County was arrested late Wednesday night on two Union County warrants for: Domestic Assault, and Violation of a Protection Order. 28-year old Spencer Leitzel, of Greenfield, was taken into custody in Creston at around 10:18-p.m. He was being held in the Union County Jail while awaiting a bond hearing.

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, approved an order to temporarily close certain streets as necessary, for this Sunday’s “Welcome Home” event for Company K, 168^th Infantry Battalion, who left from Atlantic during World War II and whose remaining members never received a proper homecoming. The streets affected would be closed from 10-a.m. Until 3-p.m. Steve Livengood, who is heading-up American Legion Post #43’s celebration of those soldiers, in memorium, spoke during the Council meeting of the streets that needed to be closed for the event.  They include Chesnut Street from the Atlantic Depot to Poplar Street, including the intersection, for eastbound traffic at the intersection of 2^nd and Poplar Streets.

Poplar Street will remain open because it is a State Highway. The plan is for a walk featuring over 100 people, to start at the Rock Island Depot and move south to 2^nd Street. At 2^nd, the participants will turn west and move toward the intersection of 2^nd and Poplar, before moving into the Atlantic Bottling Company’s parking lot at the southeast corner of the intersection. From the parking lot, participants will individually cross Poplar Street and into the parking lot of the American Legion Memorial Building (The former Armory). Walkers will be carrying photos of those who served in Company K, 168^th Infantry Battalion.

The Council also approved an order to temporarily restrict parking on the east side of Palm Street from 7^th – to 10^th, on July 28^th. The restriction is necessary so driver of pickups and trailer coming to the Cass County Fair for the Tractor Pull event, have room to negotiate the turn onto the Fairground driveway. And, Mayor Dave Jones reminded residents the City is cracking down on fireworks usage in the City limits.  He says you cannot set-off fireworks on City Streets, alleys and other public property.

According to City Ordinance, it is not legal to set off fireworks within 300-feet of any public school buildings, assisted living facility, or hospital. Fireworks can only be shot-off on private property. Atlantic Police will crack down on issuing warnings and tickets to those who were warned last year about violating the ordinance. Violators will be subject to a $250 fine plus $85 in court costs. Anyone who was previously found guilty of violating the ordinance, may be subject to a $600 fine plus court costs if they are a repeat offender. The ordinance allows residents of Atlantic to set off fireworks from Noon until 10-p.m. July 2nd and 3rd. Displays are allowed on July 4th, from Noon until 11-p.m.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say four people suffered minor injuries in a fire at a Cedar Rapids apartment complex. Firetrucks were dispatched around 5:25 p.m. Wednesday to the 12-unit complex. The Cedar Rapids Fire Department says firefighters used a ladder to rescue one person. The fire was brought under control within 10 minutes of firefighters’ arrival. The department says two of the injured were sent to a hospital and two declined hospitalization. The fire cause is being investigated.