Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

AMES, Iowa (AP) — The president of the board that governs Iowa’s three public universities says he’s backing a tuition hike that’s been criticized by Gov. Terry Branstad. Board of Regents President Bruce Rastetter said Thursday that the $300 increase for undergraduate students is necessary to maintain quality.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A Cedar Rapids woman has pleaded guilty in a scheme to defraud an elderly Illinois couple out of thousands of dollars. Tea Ware pleaded guilty Thursday to two counts of mail fraud and one count of using a fictitious name. Ware admitted she would call and falsely tell an elderly woman that she had won a lottery or sweepstakes, but could only claim the winnings if she paid a fee.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The city of Des Moines and the Animal Rescue League are re-evaluating their longstanding partnership after concerns about the agency’s euthanasia rates and transparency. The Des Moines Register reports that the city delayed a $2.2 million contract with the agency last month after animal supporters questioned the agency’s kill rate and cooperation with residents. But despite the city’s reservations, it’s expected to approve the agency’s three-year contract Monday night.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Work has begun in Iowa on an oil pipeline despite repeated attempts by landowners and environmental groups to stop it. The Iowa Utilities Board signed a final order Wednesday allowing construction on the $3.8 billion, 1,150-mile pipeline. And Lisa Dillinger, a spokeswoman for Texas-based Dakota Access, which is building the pipeline, confirmed Thursday that work is underway.

Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope reports that an investigation following a call about a truck in a ditch Thursday, resulted in two arrests. Deputies called to the 1500 block of Western Avenue subsequently took into custody, 32-year old Skip Skalak, of Malvern, and 33-year old Tammy Hammers, of Thurman.

Tammy Hammers

Skip Skalak

Skalak was arrested for driving revoked with other pending charges. He was transported to the Fremont County Law Enforcement Center being held on $300 bond. Hammers was found to be in possession of Methamphetamine, and also charged with 4 counts of Unlawful possession of Prescription Medication (271 units) Possession of drug paraphernalia, Failure to Affix Drug Tax Stamp. Her bond was set at $10,300.

Deputies are still investigating the incident. The Fremont County Sheriff’s Dept. K9 Unit assisted in the arrest.

JACKSON, Neb. (AP) — Two Council Bluffs residents, including a 9-year-old girl, have died in an early-morning crash in Nebraska. The Dakota County (Nebraska) Sheriff’s Office says deputies were called around 3:30 a.m. Thursday to a single-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 20 near Jackson, Nebraska. The vehicle went over an embankment and into a creek on the side of the highway.

The driver, 45-year-old Christopher Cox, was able to get out of the vehicle and climb to the road. Cox, who had been released from the hospital, told police that he swerved to avoid hitting a deer. Two passengers, 57-year-old Connie Fauzae and 9-year-old Espionza Lara, were pronounced dead at the scene.

A third passenger, 10-year-old Jose Lara, was taken by helicopter to a Sioux City hospital. He is on life support.

During the past year, the Iowa Department of Transportation has been working on improving the lanes of Interstate 29/Interstate 80 east of the Missouri River in Council Bluffs. Beginning Monday, June 13th, construction crews will shift traffic overnight on westbound I-80 and northbound I-29 between 24th Street and the Missouri River bridge, according to the Iowa DOT’s District 4 Office in Atlantic.

Once traffic is shifted, a fourth lane for I-29/I-80 will be added at the 24th Street on-ramp. Traffic staying on westbound I-80 at the I-29/I-80 interchange will shift over to the new permanent westbound lanes. Motorists are urged to use caution while becoming accustomed to shifting onto these new lanes.

The Iowa DOT is in the process of reconstructing I-80, I-29 and I-480 in the Council Bluffs metropolitan area. This comprehensive interstate redesign will modernize the highway system and improve mobility and safety of approximately 18 miles of interstate. Motorists are encouraged to allow for extra travel time while this interstate improvement takes effect.