DES MOINES, Iowa – As families plan for the upcoming school year, State Treasurer Roby Smith is reminding Iowans how the College Savings Iowa 529 plan can be used to achieve a variety of education savings goals, including K-12. “College Savings Iowa continues to expand the mindset that 529 plans can only be used for traditional two- and four-year college,” Smith said. “For families that want to put money aside to pay for K-12 tuition at a public or private school, while also receiving all the tax benefits 529 plans provide, College Savings Iowa could be the answer.”

Up to $10,000 per year per student can be withdrawn from a College Savings Iowa account to pay for tuition expenses in connection with enrollment at a K-12 institution. “We’re here to help support families in their education savings journey, whatever that may be for them and their student,” continued Smith. “It’s what College Savings Iowa is all about.”

In addition to K-12 tuition, money invested in College Savings Iowa can be used to pay for tuition; room and board; computers; textbooks and other qualified education expenses at any eligible higher education institution in the U.S. or abroad. This includes colleges, universities, trade schools and apprenticeship programs. Additionally, up to $10,000 can be used for repayment on any qualified education loan of the Beneficiary or a sibling of the Beneficiary.

As a 529 plan, College Savings Iowa also offers tax advantages such as tax-deferred earnings and tax-free qualified withdrawals. Plus, there is an added tax benefit of deducting up to $5,500 in contributions per Beneficiary account from 2024 Iowa income taxes.

To learn more about the Plan, visit CollegeSavingsIowa.com or call (888) 672-9116. Connect with College Savings Iowa on Facebook, Instagram and X to stay informed on current events and updates. For additional details about the Plan, read the Program Description.

(Wapello, Iowa [KCCI-TV] – A shortage of court reporters in Iowa is causing some disruptions and delays. Southeast Iowa’s District 8, for instance, covers 15 courthouses, but only has 11 court reporters. KCCI reports experts say the decline is due to retirements outpacing the number of people graduating from court reporting school. There are also fears that the job will become obsolete as technology advances. Wapello County Attorney Steviee Grove disagrees. She said court reporters are the official word.

Iowa Judicial Branch court reporter’s position.

The Iowa Supreme Court is certifying some voice writers as court reporters to help with the shortage. The judicial system is also exploring higher-income opportunities and tele-work.

(Radio Iowa) –  Triple-A reports the average price for a gallon of diesel fuel in Iowa fell three cents a gallon over the past week. Wednesday’s average price for diesel in Iowa was 31 cents a gallon lower than the national average. Unleaded gasoline was averaging three-28 ($3.28) a gallon in Iowa yesterday (Wednesday). That’s the same as last week.

(Creston, Iowa) – A Union County man was arrested Wednesday evening on a drug charge and warrants. According to the Creston Police Department, 30-year-old Patrick Riley Iiams, of Creston, was arrested at the Bomgaars Store in Creston, just before 6-p.m.  Iiams was charged with Possess Drug Paraphernalia. He was also taken into custody on warrants for Domestic Abuse Impeding flow of Air/blood, and for Failure to appear on a charge of Theft in the 5th degree and Consumption of alcohol in a public space/1st Offense.

Iiams was being held without bond in the Union county jail until seen by a judge.

(State News) – Two separate crashes in Iowa Wednesday, resulted in two deaths and one person injured. The Iowa State Patrol reports a crash late Wednesday morning in central Iowa’s Jasper County, claimed the life of a man from Polk County. 41-year-old Michael Croy, of Des Moines, died when the car he was driving collided head-on with a pickup truck. The accident happened south of Newton. Croy was traveling north on County Highway S 74 at around 11:50-a.m., when for reasons unknown, his vehicle crossed the center line of the road and collided with a southbound pickup driven by 62-year-old Karl Peters, of Monroe (IA). Croy died at the scene. Peters was transported to a hospital in Newton. Both men were wearing their seat belts. The crash remained under investigation.

And, at around 6:12-p.m. Wednesday, a pedestrian died in northern Iowa’s Cerro Gordo County, when they were struck by an SUV. The accident happened in Mason City, as the SUV, driven by a 17-year-old female from Mason City, was traveling southbound on Plymouth Road. The pedestrian who was struck, was identified as 42-year-old Jennifer Dawn Buls-VRBA, of Mason City. She was transported to the hospital in Mason City, where she died from their injuries.

The accident remains under investigation.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Red Oak Police report 35-year-old Kristin Kay Harrold, of Red Oak, was arrested Wednesday evening, on charges of Public Intoxication and Simple Assault/1st offense. Harrold was taken into custody at around 7:20-p.m. and transported to the Montgomery County Jail, where her bond was set at $300.  And, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports 24-year-old Phillip William Currin, of Villisca, was arrested Wednesday afternoon, for Driving While Barred. Bond for Currin was set at $2,000.