Police in Council Bluffs are looking for two suspects who allegedly robbed a pizza delivery driver late Wednesday night. Authorities say the suspects are two black males. One is about five-feet six-inches tall, weighed about 190-pounds and was wearing a “Gap” sweatshirt. The other suspect was tall, with a slender build.

Officials say the incident happened at around 11:55-p.m., Wednesday. A Papa John’s delivery driver told police she was robbed when she went to deliver an order at the Cottonwood Apartments (800 blk No 34th St, Council Bluffs, IA).

The victim reported that as she arrived at the apartment complex she was met by a male party outside who advised he had made the order and provided the name that the pizza was ordered under. When she requested payment for the pizzas the male party refused to pay and called out to another male party who walked up behind her.

One of the men restrained the victim while the other took several pizzas and an undisclosed amount of money from her vehicle. The two males then fled the area Northbound towards the Featherstone Apartment Complex (901 No 35th St). The female victim reported minor injuries but refused medical treatment.

If anyone has information on the suspects, or who may have witnessed the crime are urged to contact the Council Bluffs Police Department Criminal Investigation Division (712) 328-4728 or Crime Stoppers (712) 328-7867.

AMES, Iowa (AP) – A former teacher in the North Polk Community School District has been accused having a sexual relationship with a teenage student. Twenty-nine-year-old Kevin Muehlenthaler, of Ames, was arrested Wednesday. Court records say he’s been charged with four counts of sexual exploitation by a counselor or therapist.

Authorities say a woman told police she had a relationship with Muehlenthaler between November 2013 and July 2014 when she was a student of 16 and then 17 years old.  The district says Muehlenthaler was employed August 2013 to June 2016 and that the district became aware of the allegations only after he left the district.

Tempers flared as the House Labor Committee spent more than three hours debating the G-O-P’s plan to change the state’s collective bargaining law for public sector unions. Representative Steven Holt, a Republican from Denison, opened the debate at about 3 p.m. “The common-sense reforms in this bill will result in a state government in Iowa that is more responsive and more affordable for the people paying the bill, the taxpayers,” Holt says.

He added “Under the current system that has not been reformed in over 40 years, the taxpayer is at a disadvantage.” Representative Kirsten Running-Marquardt, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, says “corporate handouts” rather than union wages are what’s breaking the state’s bank. “There is no common sense in this bill,” Running-Marquardt said. “This bill isn’t about reform. This bill is about political agendas and attacking Iowa workers. It’s extreme.”

Representative Bruce Hunter, a Democrat from Des Moines, says Republicans have hatched an “evil” plan. “This is how we ‘Make America Great Again’ by literally taking away the rights of 180,000 public employees in the state of Iowa,” Hunter said.

Republicans who hold a majority of seats on the committee advanced the bill last (Wednesday) night, making it eligible for debate in the Iowa House next week. Holt, whose wife is a teacher, says the bill is a “win for the children of Iowa” because it gets rid of the seniority system for teachers. “These changes will allow school districts, the boards elected by the people, to reward high-performing teachers, while more quickly removing those not meeting acceptable standards,” Holt said.

There were two committee hearings at the statehouse earlier in the day. Critics of the bill say their comments are unlikely to sway Republicans who are intent on passing the bill quickly. A public hearing will be held Monday night on the issue. It’s likely the House AND Senate will vote on the bill and send it to the governor early next week.

(Radio Iowa)

A bill to legalize the limited sale and use of fireworks in Iowa has easily cleared a senate committee. Fireworks would be legal in June and just after the 4th of July as well as in early December through the beginning of January. Republican Senator Jake Chapman of Adel says many Iowans want to celebrate New Years and Independence Day with fireworks. “It’s about freedom,” Chapman says. “Look, we’re one of just a handful of states that prohibit the use of consumer-grade fireworks.”

The bill easily cleared the Senate State Government Committee on an 11-to-four vote. Senator David Johnson of Ocheyedan, an independent, attended the committee meeting and argued the bill would give Iowans undesirable new freedoms. “Freedom to blow their fingers off, freedom to take an eye out, to harm a kid, to overload our ERs,” Johnson said.

The bill would let Iowa cities and counties “opt out” and establish ordinances banning fireworks during the two holiday periods. The measure includes new fees for retailers that want to sell fireworks, so the bill has to clear another senate committee that reviews tax policy before the proposal is eligible for debate in the full senate. Nearly all fireworks are illegal to sell and set off today in Iowa. There have been several attempts to legalize fireworks in Iowa over the past few years, but they’ve all fallen short.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 2:40 a.m. CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A plan by Republican lawmakers to quickly pass a bill that would drastically cut collective bargaining rights for Iowa public workers has several similarities to Wisconsin’s signature 2011 law that led to massive protests in that state. Labor experts say the 68-page bill introduced recently by Iowa GOP lawmakers has provisions that mirror Wisconsin’s law, which prohibited public sector unions from negotiating workers’ benefits such as health insurance and working conditions.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana’s large utility companies want state lawmakers to pass a law that critics say would muscle out smaller competitors from the emerging solar energy market. Solar power provides only about 1 percent of the country’s energy, but employment is growing rapidly. Indiana legislators will debate Thursday a proposed law that would eventually eliminate much of the financial benefit Indiana homeowners, businesses and some churches reap from harvesting the sun’s rays.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The head of Iowa’s prison system has ordered a temporary shutdown of several satellite prison units to deal with a $5.5 million budget cut to the agency. The Des Moines Register reports that Iowa Corrections Director Jerry Bartruff said Wednesday that units at Harpers Ferry, Clarinda and Fort Madison, which currently hold nearly 400 prisoners, will be shut down. Bartruff says services also will be suspended at the Sheldon Residential Treatment Facility, which houses 26 offenders.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad has signed into law a K-12 education funding bill that school officials argue is inadequate. Branstad signed the legislation Wednesday. It would add about $40 million to Iowa’s roughly $3 billion K-12 education budget for the spending year that goes into effect in July. Democrats say the amount would lead to bigger classroom sizes, delayed curriculum offerings and teacher layoffs. Republicans say the amount is responsible spending as the state faces some budget constraints.

The Atlantic School Board Wednesday night approved a request from Superintendent Dr. Michael Amstein for No School next Wednesday, Feb. 15th, so that students, parents and district patrons can attend the State Team Wrestling Tournament in Des Moines. Amstein congratulated Athletic Director Matt Alexander for pulling off a very special night Tuesday, with two Varsity basketball games and a hosting a Regional Wrestling Dual, that involved the use of a spotlight on the local wrestlers. Amstein also congratulated Wrestling Coach Tim Duff on putting together a great season and moving the team onto the State Tournament.

In other business, the Atlantic School Board discussed an amended Board Policy pertaining to Student Conduct, with regard to what is a “Dangerous Object.” Superintendent Mike Amstein said the discussion with the District’s Board Attorney followed an incident at one of the District’s facilities.  The Board also discussed a Negative Balance Policy, with regard to the District School Lunch Program. The Policy addresses lunch accounts when a student owes $10 or more. Amstein said the District is fortunate that for the past couple of years, the District has been operated in the black and didn’t have to dip into their General Fund to make up the difference. He said donations have helped to cut the cost and cover students who are behind in their payments, and the Policy simply ensures the District meet Federal and State mandates. Both times the Board waived the second reading of those policies, and approved the changes.

The Board also tabled action on approving the purchase of a 2017 Chevy Suburban from Karl Chevrolet in Ankeny, for $31,938. Transportation Director Dave Eckles said he went out for a quote through a State bid contract. Eckles said even though the vehicle would be purchased through another dealership other than Deter Motor Company, Deter’s could have their nameplate affixed to the vehicle. The School Board, though, was strongly in favor of giving the local dealership a chance to try and match the bid price. If the Board eventually elects to go with the State bid, it will take three-to five weeks for the vehicle to arrive.

The District’s 2005 Suburban was totaled during an accident in Dubuque on January 10th. The 2005 vehicle will be repurchased by the District for the salvage value of $1,050, and repaired. Eckles said he thinks it can be made road worthy again. The old Suburban would only be used as a staff vehicle, however, and not to transport students.

Members of the Atlantic Girls Golf Team were honored Wednesday evening, during a regular session of the Atlantic School Board. Trojan Head Girls Golf Coach Kathy Hobson said “Our season year-after-year consists of 12 playing dates, plus whatever State competition is involved, two rounds of Regionals and then hopefully the State Tournament,” which she says is always their goal.

The Varsity team consists of six players and four scorers. Hobson said “We’ve been very fortunate in Atlantic to have girls that love the sport and love to put in the time and strive for that success.

Coach Kathy Hobson (Left) and members of the Trojan Girls Golf Team.

During the past three seasons these girls have been involved with, the Seniors have compiled a 182-15 record that includes two State Championships, a second-place Runner-up finish, two-years ago. The two Sophomores last year, their record was 64-and 2, and they now have a State Championship under their belt as well.” She said “We hope that success continues.”

Hobson said as whole, for a Golf program, “We’re one of seven schools in the State that have five or more titles in the books.” She said also, “As an educator, I’ve very proud of the fact they are very successful in the classroom,” as well. Over the last three years, the Seniors have earned a distinguished academic achievement award from the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union that’s given for a team GPA of 3.25 or better.

The Iowa Court of Appeals has upheld the sexual abuse conviction of a Fremont County man who argued his victim’s diary should not have been used in his trial. Thomas Ingram, of Farragut, was convicted of third-degree sexual abuse, assault and lascivious acts with a child after being originally charged with several counts involving sexual abuse of his then 12-year-old stepdaughter in 2014. Ingram appealed, arguing the girl’s diary entries that detailed the abuse should not have been used as evidence in his trial.

He also said his lawyer was ineffective for not objecting to the prosecution’s used of an expert witness to vouch for the information in the diary. The Appeals Court Ruled the use of the girl’s diary was not prejudicial because it showed her dislike of the abuse and desire for the abuse to end, allowing the jury to conclude Ingram sexually abused her by force or against her will.

The court said the testimony of the expert witness may arguably have “walked the thin line between proper expert testimony and vouching for the credibility of the victim” but did not cross the lines.

(Radio Iowa)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Thousands of Iowans could get pay cuts if legislation discussed in the Iowa House is approved. A GOP-led subcommittee Wednesday approved a bill banning local governments from increasing the minimum wage, a move that would reverse action taken by some of Iowa’s largest population counties.

The bill, introduced by Johnston Republican Jake Highfill, will be considered Thursday by the House Local Government Committee. The legislation would require cities and counties to abide by the state minimum hourly wage of $7.25. It would mean higher wages approved in Polk, Linn, Johnson and Wapello counties would be repealed.

Supporters of the bill say Iowa shouldn’t have a patchwork of wages, but others say local governments should be able to take action since the state hasn’t raised its minimum wage since 2009.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad has signed into law a K-12 education funding bill that school officials argue is inadequate. Branstad signed the legislation Wednesday. It would add about $40 million to Iowa’s roughly $3 billion K-12 education budget for the spending year that goes into effect in July.

The Republican-controlled House and Senate voted along party lines to approve the bill. GOP lawmakers supported the bill after hours of debate in which Democrats argued the small increase would lead to bigger classroom sizes, delayed curriculum offerings and teacher layoffs.

Republicans say the amount is responsible spending as the state faces budget constraints. Branstad recommended about $78 million more for K-12 education last month, though he didn’t reference that fact in a press release announcing his decision.