MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — A conference next month will focus on the best ways to raise awareness about the dangers of radon gas. The Environmental Protection Agency is working with health officials in Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri and Iowa to put on the conference in Manhattan, Kansas, on March 7.

The odorless colorless radon gas is the nation’s second-leading cause of lung cancer, behind smoking, and is the most common cause in nonsmokers. The meeting will highlight ways to help the public reduce radon exposure. Organizers say anyone interested in attending the free meeting should register before Tuesday online at http://svy.mk/2kOzd96 .

(Updated) — COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – A western Iowa jail inmate infected with HIV has been charged with felony assault after officials say he threw a carton of his urine on a detention officer in Council Bluffs. The Daily Nonpareil reports that 52-year-old Charles Perkins, of Youngstown, Ohio, is charged with assault by inmate with bodily fluids or secretion. He faces up to five years in prison if convicted.

Police say the incident occurred Feb. 8 at the Pottawattamie County Jail. Investigators say Perkins told them he intended to throw the urine on another inmate, but his aim was off and hit the jail officer.

The officer is being evaluated for HIV exposure. Perkins’ public defender declined to comment to the Daily Nonpareil about the case.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Who knew unemployment insurance could be so risque? At least 78 Iowa businesses received letters this week from Iowa Workforce Development that mistakenly directed their questions about unemployment insurance payments to a phone sex hotline.

The Des Moines Register reports that the agency’s Feb. 13 letter went to people who had return-payment notices. It informs them to call the Unemployment Insurance Tax Bureau, then gives a telephone number. But instead of answers, callers to the number get a seductive female voice giving out less than work-friendly sentiments.

Iowa Workforce Development Unemployment Insurance Administrator Ryan West says the erroneous number was a typo and that correct letters were mailed late Friday. West said no employee is expected to be disciplined.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — For decades, Iowa represented the crossroads of prairie populists and checkbook conservatives. Now it has become solidly Republican like many of its Midwestern neighbors. Iowa’s rush of new legislation has been the most intense of the four states that flipped to complete GOP control in the November election.

In an all-night session last week, Iowa lawmakers approved a bill similar to one enacted in Wisconsin six years ago that strips most public sector unions of long-held collective bargaining rights, including health insurance.

Among other items, Republicans also are pressing to eliminate state money for all Planned Parenthood services and outlaw the use of fetal tissue for medical research. There’s also talk of a tax cut, despite a $110 million shortfall in the current budget year.

School Board members in Griswold, CAM and Audubon are set to hold their regular monthly, separate meetings Monday evening. The Griswold School Board will gather for a 5:30-p.m. session in the Central Office at the Middle School/High School Building. During the meeting, the Board will act on approving a Construction Manager in advance of the possible of constructing a new District building. They’ll also act on approving Chemical Application bids and mowing specifications. The meeting will conclude with a closed session.

In Anita, the CAM School Board meeting gets underway at 6:30-p.m., Monday, and it will begin with a Public Hearing on the plans, specifications, Form of Contract and Cost Estimates for a new addition to the Massena building. Following the hearing, the CAM School Board will act on approving a Resolution for the Plans, Specs and Form of Contract, review the construction bids, and then act on awarding the Contract for the project. Other discussion and/or action items on their agenda include that which pertains to the Greenhouse, mowing bids, a bleacher stairs project in the high school gym, and a review of the school vehicle fleet along with discussion on plans to upgrade those vehicles.

Up on Audubon, the School Board for the Audubon School District will start with a work session at 6:30-p.m., followed by their regular session at 7. Action items on their agenda include: The purchase of Baseball Field Property; Setting the date for the Fiscal Year 2018 School Calendar Public Hearing, as well as discussion on possible action with regard to an Administrative Survey. The Board will also discuss FY 2018 Calendar and Staffing Options.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 4:40 a.m. CST

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — The Sioux City Council has voted to delay outfitting its police officers with body cameras until at least next year, citing a lack of state policy governing the cameras’ use. The Sioux City Journal reports that council members don’t want to rush in only to have legislation or courts change the standards for maintaining and using video as evidence. Mayor Bob Scott says the city needs direction on how much body-camera video police departments are required to store and for how long.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A retired Catholic priest in western Iowa has been given a suspended jail sentence and ordered to register as a sex offender for invading the privacy of several male students who accused him of ogling them in a high school restroom. The Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil reports that the Rev. Paul Monahan was sentenced Friday. The 83-year-old Monahan got a suspended sentence of 30 days in jail for each of five counts.

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (AP) — Two people have died in a crash involving a pickup and two semitrailers at a central Iowa intersection. The Des Moines Register reports that the crashed happened early Friday morning at the intersection of Highways 14 and 96 north of Marshalltown. The Iowa State Patrol says pickup driven by 32-year-old Brandon Paul Skidmore, of Marshalltown, and semi driver, 33-year-old Kaleia Shana Grant, of Springdale, Arkansas, were killed.

ANAMOSA, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say two people suffered injuries from smoke inhalation in a blaze that saw multiple fire departments called to a downtown building in the eastern Iowa town of Anamosa. Cedar Rapids television station KCRG reports that the fire was reported early Saturday morning in an apartment above the Thou Art Gallery on Main Street. The Anamosa fire chief says a man jumped from a second-floor window in the apartment to avoid the flames, and a woman used stairs to flee another apartment.