The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest at around 12:20-a.m. today (Thursday), of 19-year old Payton Ray, from Lenox. Ray was taken into custody on a charge of Sexual Abuse in the 3rd degree. He was brought to the Adams County Jail and held on a $10,000 cash only bond. No other details surrounding the charge was made available.

Governor Kim Reynolds says policymakers should be “looking for whatever” they can to find a solution for Americans in danger of losing health insurance. Just one company will be offering insurance next year on the Affordable Care Act “exchange” in Iowa — and premiums could go up even higher if federal subsidies aren’t extended. “I think there’s one thing that we should all agree on and that is not doing anything is not an option,” Reynolds says.

Iowa’s insurance commission has proposed a “stop gap” measure he believes would help the 72-thousand Iowans who’ve bought individual insurance policies on the exchange, but it needs approval from federal officials. Governor Reynolds says she and her staff are talking with Trump Administration officials weekly about the issue.

(Radio Iowa)

Officials say negotiations are underway with an agency in the executive branch of state government about personnel matters in the Iowa Senate — but it’s unclear if the agency would take over the investigation of alleged sexual harassment in the Senate G-O-P Caucus Staff office.

Senate Republican Leader Bill Dix publicly announced Wednesday afternoon that discussions with the Department of Administrative Services are part of his “on-going” response to a jury’s decision that the state should pay two-point-two MILLION dollars to a former Senate G-O-P staffer who testified she was sexually harassed while at work. Dix said last Friday he had asked a senate staffer he hired last January to handle the investigation and determine if the allegations are “truthful.”

Governor Kim Reynolds says she has a “zero tolerance” policy when it comes to sexual harassment in the executive branch. And she says Dix has made it clear the same policy is in force now in all corners of the legislative branch. “The Senate is conducting an investigation into the full scope of what came out at the trial, so I’m appreciative in the steps that they are taking,” Reynolds says, “and I have faith in Senator Dix that he will take the necessary steps and has, it’s my understanding, taken the necessary steps.”

Reynolds said yesterday (Wednesday) it’s “not a bad idea” to have an “outside” review of the allegations about a “toxic” work environment in the Senate G-O-P Caucus Staff office.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:35 a.m. CDT

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Two Iowa teenagers have filed federal lawsuits alleging they were placed in solitary confinement for months at Wisconsin’s troubled youth even after they both tried to kill themselves. The Wisconsin State Journal reports one of the girls alleges a guard helped her hurt herself after she became suicidal in solitary by walking on top of her cot after she placed her head beneath it.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A Lebanese man accused of helping smuggle guns bought in Iowa to his home country has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison to violating the federal Arms Export Control Act. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa says 42-year-old Fadi Yassine was sentenced Wednesday for a conviction of one count of conspiracy for brokering firearms shipments to Lebanon in 2014 and 2015. Yassine was arrested Feb. 5 in New York as he entered the U.S. from Lebanon.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Several law enforcement agencies are searching for a man accused of leading officers on a chase from Iowa to South Dakota and injuring a sheriff’s deputy. Authorities say the search is centered in Sioux Falls. Police spokesman Sam Clemens says the suspect struck the squad car of a sheriff’s deputy from Iowa’s Lyon County, sending the officer to the hospital.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — University of Iowa officials say the Gerdin family has committed $5 million for renovations and new programming at the athletic learning center that bears the family name. The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports that center will be getting more study rooms, a commons area and a cafe. Work on the center is expected to be finished by spring 2018.

One vote broke a three-three tie on a Resolution to place on the ballot in November, a Public Measure asking for an increase in the City of Atlantic’ Hotel-Motel Tax. The tie was broken by Atlantic City Councilperson Kathy Somers. Voting against the Resolution was Council persons Halder, Jimerson and Casady. Council members Brink, Hartkopf and Hayes, voted in favor. If approved by the voters later this year, it would bump the current four-percent Hotel-Motel tax to seven-percent, beginning January 1st, 2018.

Prior to the vote, a number of persons, most of them with ties to local hotels or motels, spoke in opposition of the resolution. Among them was Dale Gross, who said while he is and always has been “Pro-Atlantic,” the increased tax, if approved, will hurt the City more than help it in efforts to further improve the parks and recreation system.

Gross said one thing he’s garnered from his travels and stays in various cities, is how much he “Hate(s) that tax.” He said “It is probably one of the most underhanded and hidden taxes that we’ve ever seen in our lifetime.” And, that while it seems to be “Universal,” he firmly believes that if we’re taking $50,000 out of guests’ money, we can probably find a way to adjust the budget of our parks and rec department.”

Like most the other speakers, Gross said when people come to stay in Atlantic, they’re not here to see an attraction. He said they’re here because they are visiting their families (or in town on business). The budget this year for the Local Option Sales Tax that is applied toward Parks and Rec improvement, according to City Clerk Barb Barrick, is $155, 930. Former City Councilman Steve Livengood has dealt with the issue of putting a Hotel-Motel Tax before the voters when he was on the Council. Livengood, who is on the Schildberg Recreation Committee, said the issue should be put on the ballot.

During further discussion among the Council before the vote to place the Measure on the ballot, Councilman Dana Halder said he was “torn” on which way to go. He said the hotel-motel owners gave up a lot when they agreed to work with the City on a 4-percent tax that went into effect in 2011. He said coming back and asking for more money seems unfair. Halder said a committee is working on promotions that would bring more people into town who will stay at those hotels and motels, thereby bringing in more money for parks and recreation.

He said on the other side of the coin, it’s his duty to allow the citizens to have a say on it. Halder said also, the Parks and Rec Department needs to work within its budget and cut back in some areas if necessary. The measure will come before the voters on November 7th.