(Radio Iowa) – The former executive director of the Des Moines area Metro Waste Authority has pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud after investigators say he improperly collected at least one-point-eight million dollars. A special investigation released by the state auditor in December indicated Jeff Dworek created a shell company, submitted fake invoices to the Des Moines area’s Metro Waste Authority and collected the checks himself. He was also accused of signing off on improper payments to a company controlled by an associate. The Des Moines Register was first to report that a federal judge has accepted Jeff Dworek’s guilty plea. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for November.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — More than 6,700 people filed unemployment claims last week in Iowa, and the number of continuing claims is nearly 105,000, a decrease of more than 5,000 from the previous week. Iowa Workforce Development says there were 6,765 claims for unemployment insurance in the week ending Aug. 1, and benefit payments totaled more than $29.9 million for the week. Manufacturing had the highest number of claims with more than 1,400. Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation benefits ended July 25, which means the $600 weekly additional benefit stopped and claimants will see a decrease in their benefits. However, laid off workers in Iowa may be eligible for state extended benefits.

DES MOINES – Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Education today announced that $26.2 million is now available to districts, nonpublic schools, and colleges and universities primarily to increase internet connectivity for students for the 2020-21 school year. Using the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund, authorized under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, $19.3 million in awards will go to all 327 school districts and nonpublic schools.The remaining $6.9 million will be earmarked for public and private two- and four-year colleges and universities.

“During an unprecedented pandemic, we have had to adapt, innovate, and change the way we do business. Expanding high-quality broadband connectivity is more important than ever for telelearning, telework and telehealth,” said Gov. Reynolds. “This funding will play a critical role in our children’s education, helping to close significant gaps in broadband access for rural schools.”

“This is an important step toward ensuring our students and teachers have reliable access to the internet,” said Ann Lebo, director of the Iowa Department of Education. “In an increasingly technology-driven world, it is essential that we overcome the digital divide.”

The education department will send the awards directly to districts, which may use them to lease hotspots, provide a discount on broadband internet service or loan devices to qualifying households. The award amount for each district is based on the estimated number of households that lack internet access or struggle to afford it. Allocations are based on a survey the state conducted in June as well as information from the American Community Survey of the U.S. Census Bureau.

The $6.9 million earmarked for public and private colleges and universities may be spent to improve connectivity for students or provide professional development for faculty in online instruction. It will require an application to the department.

Officials with the Cass County Health System (CCHS) report they are currently having issues with their phone lines.  It appears Verizon customers are having difficulty connecting.  CCHS is therefore asking everyone to call 712-778-1618. You will be routed to the appropriate location.

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

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CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a man has suffered life-threatening injuries in an explosion at a home just outside the Cedar Rapids city limits. The Linn County Sheriff’s Office says the explosion occurred around 2 p.m. Thursday as 24-year-old Joshua Thomas, of Marion, was working on the property. Officials say Thomas suffered severe burns from the blast and was taken by a medical helicopter from the scene of the explosion to an Iowa City hospital.

Officials say Thomas was the only person on the property at the time of the explosion. Fire investigators were working to pinpoint the cause of the explosion, but Sheriff Brian Gardner said officials had narrowed down that it was fueled by natural gas or propane.

Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers reports a traffic stop at around 5:15-p.m. Thursday resulted in a woman’s arrest on a Felony drug charge. 46-year old Holly Ann Oliphant, of Lenox, was arrested for felony possession with intent to deliver, 62 grams of a substance believed to be methamphetamine. Oliphant was arrested following a traffic stop at 22nd and Tarkio Streets for failure to obey a stop sign. During an investigation, the K-9 “Raiko” alerted to the presence of drugs in the Toyota Vena Oliphant was operating.

Holly Oliphant was arrested without incident and booked into the Page County, where she was held without bond, pending an initial court appearance.

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:05-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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(Radio Iowa) — The City of Dubuque is joining the growing list of local governments to issue a face covering mandate, defying the governor’s opinion that local orders are unenforceable. Weeks ago, the White House Coronavirus Task Force labeled Dubuque County as a COVID-19 red zone. Police Chief Mark Dalsing (DOLL-sing) says regardless of officers’ personal views, they will enforce the measure, with a focus on education.

“For the most part, we’re probably going to see compliance. Maybe they go around the corner and stop complying, but we can do what we can do,” Dalsing says. “There is a possibility that somebody is going to try to make a political stand and force the issue, and we’ll see where that goes.”

City council members say they’re very worried about a resurgence as schools reopen, and are deeply troubled by the county’s death toll of 31 people. The mandate will go into effect Saturday (tomorrow) and the city intends to start enforcing it on Monday.

(By Kate Payne, Iowa Public Radio)