DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — U.S Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack says he isn’t worried about farmer profitability this year, when huge corn and soybean crops have pushed prices for the commodities below the cost of production. Vilsack tells The Associated Press that many U.S. farmers have contracts that will pay $4 or $5 a bushel of corn and about $13 for a bushel of soybeans, so they should be OK.

He also notes that lower commodity prices will help livestock producers, who in recent years have struggled with the high cost of feed. For those who won’t earn enough to cover their costs, he notes the farm bill offers aid so farmers can survive difficult years.

Vilsack spoke with the AP after touring a food processing company in Marshalltown with U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley.

w/ Mark Saylor

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Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

ALTOONA, Iowa (AP) — Democrats with presidential dreams are coming to Iowa with little fanfare, entourage or recognition. They’re undeterred by talk of a Hillary Rodham Clinton candidacy in 2016 or her plans to visit the leadoff caucus state next month to honor retiring Sen. Tom Harkin.

But former Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia, Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and a few others have nothing to lose if Clinton runs, and lots to gain if she doesn’t. Other Democrats who have visited Iowa include Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley and former Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer.

An independent who is supported largely by Democrats, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, will be in Iowa when Clinton attends Harkin’s fundraiser. On the GOP side, some potential candidates are further along in Iowa, with paid staff on the ground.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Chiefs offensive tackle Donald Stephenson has been suspended by the NFL for the first four games of the regular season for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. Stephenson was a fill-in starter last season but was expected to anchor the right side of the line this year. He remains eligible to participate in all preseason practices and games, including Saturday night’s game against Minnesota.

Stephenson will miss games against Tennessee, Denver, Miami and New England, and be eligible to return to the active roster Sept. 30. The Chiefs play San Francisco the following Sunday. The Chiefs were already without wide receiver Dwayne Bowe for the season opener after he was suspended by the league for an incident involving marijuana last November.

Atlantic Fire Chief Mark McNees issued a statement Friday afternoon, with regard to developments in the case of a young girl allegedly being treated for cancer, and the arrest of her mother for making the whole thing up. On the AFD’s Facebook Page, McNees said… “The Atlantic Fire Department is saddened to hear of the events surrounding the family of Super Riley. This is now a family and legal matter. Riley was made an honorary member of our department because of her desire to become a firefighter someday, and our desire to make her dream come true.

Under the current circumstances she needs our support more than ever and will remain an honorary member and we wish her nothing but the best in her future.”

Police in Red Oak arrested a local man Friday afternoon, following a disturbance at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital. Authorities say 24-year old Eric Alan Vannausdle, of Red Oak, was taken into custody just before 1-p.m., on a charge of Disorderly Conduct. Bond was set at $300.

Officials say the man allegedly made a loud and raucous noise in the hospital, causing unreasonable distress for the patients and staff. The E-R also reported Vannausdle was acting in a “very aggressive” and “Violent manner.”

The Red Oak P-D was assisted at the scene by deputies with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) board, Friday, awarded direct financial assistance and tax benefits to six companies for job creation and expansion projects. The awards will assist in the creation of 184 jobs and will result in $30 million in new capital investment for the state. Additionally, one project was approved for start-up funding. The board approved assistance for planned or proposed projects located in Burlington, Carter Lake, Davenport, Iowa Falls, Marion, Oelwein and Waukee.

In Carter Lake, Lone Mountain Truck Leasing provides financing and maintenance services to owner-operators pursuing ownership of a semi-truck to operate their business. The proposed project would relocate the corporate office from Nebraska to Carter Lake to a new office campus that would consolidate truck maintenance operations and corporate offices where truck/tractor sales and leasing activities are conducted. The project would have a capital investment of $1.3 million. The IEDA board awarded the company tax benefits through the HQJP program to create 39 jobs, 19 of which are incented at a qualifying wage of $20.95 per hour.

An inquiry by officials with the Atlantic Community School District into how to best provide for a child with special needs resulted in an investigation that resulted in the arrest of the child’s mother. Cass County Attorney Dan Feistner revealed that information during a 20-minute press conference Friday afternoon, in Atlantic.

Leatha Kaye Slauson (Cass Co. Sheriff’s Office photo)

According to Feistner, the woman was arrested on two felony charges. 30-year old Leatha Kaye Slauson, of Atlantic was originally arrested Thursday on a single Class-D felony charge of Child Endangerment causing bodily injury. Feistner said since then, an additional charge of Distribution of drugs to a child under the age of 18, which is a Class B felony in the state of Iowa. Her preliminary hearing was set for Sept. 2nd at 2-p.m.  Leatha Slauson was being held without bond in the Cass County Jail. If convicted on the charges, she faces up to 30-years in prison and fines amounting to $7,500.

Cass Co. Atty. Dan Feistner (Left) & Atlantic Police Chief Steve Green.

Feistner said Slauson is accused of distributing Cannabis Oil to her 4-year old daughter Riley. Leatha Slauson told the community of Atlantic her daughter was diagnosed last fall with terminal, metastatic colorectal cancer. The medical condition, as it turns out, was a hoax. That was determined through numerous sources and interviews with the child’s mother.

Numerous fundraising efforts were initiated to help the family with their medical and travel costs, and to help Riley attain her dream of visiting Disney World. Feistner said thousands of dollars have been raised for the family, but an exact amount was not known. Two websites established for the girl, however, have totaled over $7,600 in donations. Feistner said an investigation into the matter continues. The child’s father has not been charged and has cooperated with authorities. The Iowa Department of Human Services has been notified and the father currently has custody of Riley and her four other siblings.

Atlantic Police Chief Steve Green suggested citizens no longer donate to the Super Riley Fund established for the little girl, but that they should not stop contributing to other, legitimate causes.
Green, whose wife had cancer last year, contributed to Riley’s cause. Regardless of how hurt the community may be, he says he’s proud of Atlantic, and that “everybody’s gonna heal.”

A Facebook page dedicated to “Super Riley” in support of her alleged illness, was removed late Friday afternoon.