DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A Senate panel has approved a bill that would require Iowa businesses to provide reasonable accommodations to pregnant employees. Members of a labor and business relations subcommittee approved the bill Tuesday. It now heads to a full committee for consideration. The bill would define reasonable accommodations as anything from modifying equipment that a pregnant employee must use to assisting them with their work schedule. The bill states the action cannot impose an undue hardship on the business or employer.

A few business groups oppose the bill. The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa says the bill would affirm a decision by the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, which enforces the state’s civil rights act. The commission said in 2013 that employers must provide such accommodations to pregnant employees.

A woman from Red Oak was arrested Tuesday night on a Possession of drug paraphernalia, charge. Red Oak Police say 22-year old Joslin Nicole Davies was taken into custody at around 9:45-p.m. and brought to the Montgomery County Jail, where she was being held on $300 bond.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says officials continue to monitor the Mississippi River after a derailed train leaked ethanol into the water. The DNR has begun using air pumps in the water where three train cars went off the tracks Feb. 4 and tumbled into the river. A total of eight cars that derailed appeared to spill ethanol.

MUSCATINE, Iowa (AP) — A woman has filed a lawsuit against the city of Muscatine and the former police officer accused of sexually assaulting her. Forty-eight-year-old Tomas Tovar is currently facing a third-degree sexual abuse charge in connection to an incident that occurred nearly two years ago. The woman’s civil suit was filed last week. The Associated Press generally does not name victims of sexual assault.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The newly appointed acting chief of Iowa’s corrections system says the department will keep employing some workers at state mental health institutions in Clarinda and Mount Pleasant that have been ordered to close. Jerry Bartruff, who recently took over corrections, says about $2 million will be transferred from the state Department of Health and Human Services to corrections to continue administrative staffing and other jobs that had been shared between the agencies at both facilities.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A plan to increase the state fuel tax to pay for road improvements is moving forward in the state Legislature. Lawmakers in the state House and Senate said Tuesday that identical legislation had been introduced in both chambers to hike the tax by 10 cents. That would provide $215 million annually for the state’s network of bridges and roads, many of which are in disrepair. The hearing process is expected to start wednesday in both chambers, with full votes coming perhaps later in the month.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports 39-year old Tabatha Louise Hamilton, of Clarinda, was arrested today (Tuesday), for a parole violation. She was already incarcerated in the Page County Jail on other, pending charges. Hamilton was being held in the jail without bond.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Net income for U.S. farmers is expected to fall by nearly 32 percent this year because of low crop prices and increasing expenses, placing many farmers in an unprofitable situation. The U.S. Department of Agriculture released estimates on Tuesday that show 2015 is expected to be the second year in a row that farmers will see their income fall. Income was down 16 percent from 2013 to 2014.

The report estimates net farm income will be $73.6 billion in 2015, down from $108 billion in 2014. It was at a record $129 billion in 2013. The report also anticipates that as income falls, expenses will increase by one-half percent. Government programs that pay farmers when commodity prices are low are expected to increase 15 percent this year.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A plan to increase the state fuel tax to pay for road improvements is moving forward in the state Legislature. Lawmakers in the state House and Senate said Tuesday that identical legislation had been introduced in both chambers to hike the tax by 10 cents. That would provide $215 million annually for the state’s network of bridges and roads, many of which are in disrepair.

The hearing process is expected to start tomorrow in both chambers, with full votes coming perhaps later in the month. Iowa’s fuel tax — now 22 cents per gallon for gasoline, including fees — hasn’t been raised since 1989.

Sen. Tod Bowman, a Democrat from Maquoketa, and Rep. Josh Byrnes, a Republican from Osage, expressed optimism that the legislation could find support in both chambers.

The operator of a snowmobile was injured last week in Harlan, when the machine spun out and hit a sign before tossing the driver off. The Harlan Police Department says Tanner Weed, of Harlan, was driving a 2006 Polaris snowmobile westbound on the shoulder of Exchange Street on Feb. 2nd, when machine crossed the road, it hit a patch of ice and started to spin. Weed was ejected from the machine when the snowmobile hit the curve sign. He was transported to Myrtue Medical Center to be treated for leg injuries.

Police in Harlan arrested a 60-year old Harlan man Monday, after they investigated a report of a car hitting a retaining wall at the Town and Country Credit Union. Robert Bogler was charged with OWI and Failure to Maintain Control. He was taken into custody after he left the scene and officers tried to stop his vehicle. Police followed him to his residence, where he was placed under arrest. The incident caused damage to the retaining wall and vehicle. A dollar amount of the damage was not given in the Police report.

Harlan Police made several arrests on Saturday. Officials say 35-year old Nicholas Gaer, of Harlan, was arrested as a result of the investigation into the theft of a van taken from the lot of Express Lube and Tire. The stolen van was located at the Sleep Inn, Harlan. Gaer was taken into custody at the Sleep Inn and transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with two counts of burglary 3rd, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of stolen property.

32-year old Carly Summers was arrested Saturday, following a traffic stop. Summers was taken to the Shelby County Jail where she was charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and violation of one way traffic designation. 44-year old Eddie Peterson, of Harlan, was taken into custody Saturday, following a traffic stop. Petersen was taken to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with driving under suspension, possession of drug paraphernalia and failure to prove security against liability – non accident.

And, two subjects were arrested Saturday after officers responded to a call in reference to two persons fighting outside the Lincoln Pines Apartments. 37-year old Clinton Gardner and36-year old  Paula Burnison, both of Harlan, were both taken into custody and transported to the Shelby County Jail where they were both charged with intoxication in public.

Last Thursday, Harlan Police arrested 61-year old Thomas Myers, of Earling, after authorities received a report of an intoxicated male who would not leave the bar. Myers was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with intoxication in public and disorderly conduct. And, on Feb. 2nd, two subjects were arrested in connection with an alleged drug purchase caught on video at the Casey’s store. 49-year old Joell Onstad was taken into custody and transported to the Shelby County Jail where she was charged with possession of a controlled substance. As a result of the investigation a warrant was issued for 40-year old Billie Jo Thompson, of Dow City, for the delivery of a controlled substance. Thompson was arrested on that warrant on February 5th by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.

Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says those who question her status as a “combat veteran” are questioning thousands of other men and women who honorably served their country. Ernst, a Republican from Red Oak, was asked about the issue Monday and says the criticism is likely generated by liberals after she gained attention on the national stage by winning her Senate race and then giving the Republican response to the president’s State of the Union address.

“It’s very unfortunate, because I am very proud of my service. And by law I am defined as a combat veteran,” Ernst says. “I have never once claimed that I have a combat action badge. I have never claimed that I have had a purple heart. What I have claimed is that I have served in a combat zone. I have serve with 150 soldiers who supported our warriors up in Iraq and we all gave very honorable service.” An article in the Huffington Post questioned Ernst calling herself a combat veteran because she never came under fire. Ernst, is lieutenant colonel in the Iowa National Guard and did a tour of duty in Iraq leading a transportation company.

“There are many, many other soldiers, airmen, seamen out there who have served, that haven’t actually been hand-to-hand fighting with the enemy, maybe they haven’t been under fire. It was only by luck and the blessings of God that my soldiers did not encounter an assault, that we did not run over an I-E-D,” Ernst says. “To dishonor our service by saying we are not worthy of being call combat veterans, is insulting to the majority of men and women who served their country honorably,” Ernts says.

Ernst says the men and women she served with are no less valuable soldiers than anyone else. “You know it’s unfortunate, I think they are throwing a bucket of cold water on those who stepped forward, raised their right hand and said they will defend our country against all enemies, whether foreign or domestic,” Ernst says. “I will honor those veterans and continue to do so until the day I die.”

Ernst says all soldiers who served in a combat zone in Iraq “encountered difficulties” and it’s unfortunate they are being disparaged.

(Radio Iowa)