State officials are planning to host an “Iowa Financial Literacy Summit” on May 5th for educators, students and their parents. Governor Terry Branstad says students from middle school and high school are the target audience for the summit, so they’ll be prepared to make good decisions about borrowing money for college. “Unfortunately many young people today take on too much debt because there’s a lot of sources and it’s really easy to borrow money,” Branstad says. “The problem is you’ve got to pay it back and you’ve got to pay it back with interest.”

Only three out of every 10 students at Iowa colleges or universities graduate debt-free. Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds says the three state-supported universities are taking steps to address the high level of debt among the student bodies. “To fundamentally change the debt mindset and to increase financial awareness, we must encourage financial literacy — beginning at an early age,” Reynolds says.

Officials in the Iowa Department of Education are organizing the Financial Literacy Summit and Ryan Wise, the agency’s deputy director, says the “temptation” of credit cards and borrowing too much money leaves many students stuck with significant debts before they even land their first full-time job. “It has never been easier for young people to spend money they don’t have,” Wise says.

In addition to the summit in May, the state education department has a “work team” that is evaluating the financial literacy curriculum being used in Iowa’s K-through-12 classrooms.

(Radio Iowa)

The City Council in Massena will meet this evening, beginning at 7 o’clock. On their agenda, in addition to other, regular business matters,  is a Resolution setting the date and time for a public hearing to vacate 1st Street, the setting of a date for a City-wide Clean-up day, and discussion on an Urban Renewal Plan amendment.

A man from Lorimor was arrested this (Monday) morning on assault and drug charges. Sheriff’s officials say 37-year old Corey Matthew Brown was arrested at 2:30-a.m. in Lorimor, and charged with domestic abuse assault, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of paraphernalia. Brown was being held without bond in the Union County Jail, pending an initial court appearance.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say a 48-year-old man accused of abducting his 9-year-old stepdaughter in Solon will be returned to Johnson County to face domestic abuse, weapons and other charges. The abduction of Brianna Crane on Saturday prompted officials to issue an Amber Alert. The Iowa Public Safety Department says the girl was dropped off safely to law enforcement by a third party around 1:30 a.m. Sunday through an arranged meeting.

Her stepfather, Kenneth Johns, was arrested about 9:35 a.m. Sunday after holding officers at bay for about 2 1/2 hours at a residence in Davenport.

A public hearing will be held Tuesday morning (March 10th) in Greenfield, with regard to the Fiscal Year 2016 Adair County Budget. The 9:30-a.m. hearing takes places as part of the Adair County Board of Supervisor’s meeting, which begins at 9-a.m.

Following the hearing, the Board will act on a Resolution approving the FY 2016 Budget, and other budgetary matters, including the Capital Projects Plan for FY2016 and a Compensation Schedule Resolution.

w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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The Creston Police Department reports two people were arrested recently, and two thefts were investigated. Officials say 22-year old Christian Robert Edward Mills, of Creston, was arrested Sunday morning on OWI/1st offense and Possession of a Concealed Weapon, charges. Mills was later released from the Union County Jail on $2,000 bond. And, 38-year old Sara Nicole Exline, of Afton, was arrested at the Union County Law Enforcement Center Friday afternoon, on charges that include Driving While Suspended, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Meth, and Possession of Marijuana. Exline was later released on $2,000 bond.

Authorities said also, a Creston resident reported on March 5th that his Snap-On brand air hammer was stolen from 410 West Adams St. sometime between 5:10-p.m. March 4th, and 7:10-a.m. March 5th. The loss was estimated at $350. And, an Afton resident reported that his Snap-On 1/2-inch drive impact wrench was stolen from the same location (410 W. Adams St.), sometime between 5:15-p.m. March 4th and 8-a.m. March 5th. The loss was estimated at $450.

The 7:06-a.m. report w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A San Francisco-bound jet has made an unscheduled stop in Sioux City to get help for an ailing crew member. JetBlue Airways says in a news release that Flight 415 from New York City made a priority landing at 7:25 p.m. Sunday because of a medical issue on board. Airline spokesman Morgan Johnston said Monday morning that it was his understanding that the first officer was taken to a local hospital for treatment and has already been discharged.

The flight of the Airbus A-321 carrying 159 passengers and six crew members originated at John F. Kennedy Airport. Johnston says another plane and crew were sent to Sioux City to carry the passengers on to San Francisco International. The plane was scheduled to land there by 4:35 a.m.

A traffic stop early this (Monday) morning in Red Oak, resulted in the arrest of a 21-year old man on alcohol and other charges. Red Oak Police say Steven Austin Ripley, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 3-a.m. near the intersection of West Bridge and Broadway Streets. Ripley was charged with OWI/2nd offense, and Driving While Suspended. He was also cited for having an Open Container of alcohol as a driver, which is a $330 fine. Ripley was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held on a $2,000 cash bond.