OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A Minnesota-based health care insurer says it will offer individual policies on and off the Affordable Care Act marketplaces in Iowa and Nebraska starting later this year. Medica says it won’t be selling group policies in the two states. The company is based in Minnetonka, Minnesota.

It will start selling policies on Nov. 1 for coverage beginning Jan. 1, using the Midlands Choice network in both states. The network is the same one used by CoOportunity Health, of Des Moines, which has been liquidated.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press….

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Agriculture economists say bird flu could cost the two states hardest hit, Iowa and Minnesota, nearly $1 billion and the virus is still spreading. The estimates include sales losses to feed suppliers, trucking companies, and processing plants. Economists say exact figures are difficult to know because it’s unclear how long barns must remain empty before they’re declared virus-free. Iowa, the nation’s leading egg producer, has lost about 20 million chickens laying eggs, more than a third of the total.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Two more Iowa turkey farms in Sac County have tested positive for the bird flu and state agriculture officials say they’ve found the virus among a backyard duck flock and a backyard chicken flock, both in Sioux County. The new discoveries announced by the Iowa Department of Agriculture bring to 56 the number of cases reported in the state in 14 counties.

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Three women have filed a sex discrimination lawsuit against the West Des Moines police chief, claiming they were fired or overlooked for promotions because of their gender. The lawsuit was filed against the city of West Des Moines and Police Chief Shaun LaDue, who took over the department in 2012. The lawsuit claims LaDue retaliated against the women and promoted less qualified men over them. The lawsuit also claims female administrative staffers were segregated from other employees. Two of the women still work for the department.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Investigators suspect that a former Iowa lawyer facing fraud charges was getting help from an ex-business partner while on the run from the FBI. Search warrant documents unsealed Monday show investigators believe former Coralville attorney Dennis Bjorklund received financial and other assistance from Thomas Harbit, who worked as a substance abuse counselor at Bjorklund’s office. Harbit has denied knowing Bjorklund’s whereabouts and hasn’t been charged.

(Post updated 4-a.m., 5/19)

The Iowa State Patrol says two people were in custody Monday after shots were fired at an officer with the Iowa Department of Transportation on Interstate 29 near Missouri Valley. Trooper Scott Miller told the Omaha World-Herald a man and a woman were arrested, but their names were not immediately released.

The final design of signs to be placed around Sunnyside Park.

The Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department’s Board of Directors, Monday, approved the purchase of signs designed with art work from a local Girl Scouts Cadette Troop, that ask patrons of area parks not to smoke around playground equipment and other areas. The art work was sent to J&J Graphic Designs, who will print the design on metal signs, along with the Atlantic Parks Dept. and Girl Scouts logos.

The dozen signs will cost $25 each, for a total of $300, with the local Girl Scouts Troop picking up half the cost, and the Parks & Rec Dept. paying for the balance. The roughly 11″x14″signs will be placed at various locations within Sunnyside Park. They will be clear coated which will help to clean off any graffiti defacing the signs.

Parks and Rec Director Roger Herring and Board complimented the Cadettes for taking the initiative and getting clean air awareness signs placed in the park, something the City hasn’t been able to do for a number of years because it can’t create an ordinance or policy to that effect. The signs respectfully ASK people to refrain from smoking, and don’t threaten them with fines. In related news, the Junior Girl Scout Troop from Atlantic on May 9th, completed a bridge project in Sunnyside Park, and worked to install walkway pavers.

And, Herring announced Monday the Atlantic Pool will tentatively be opening this Saturday, May 23rd. Guards will begin clean-up of the area and staff will begin filling the pool on Tuesday. Herring said new pumps have been installed, but there are no heaters for the pool, so unless the sun helps to warm things up soon, that first splash into the water may be a bit icy.

Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers late Monday evening announced a Clarinda Academy student who had been absent from custody since early Friday morning, has been apprehended. 17-year old Correy J. Thunder Hawk was taken into custody Sunday morning, by the Missouri Valley Police Department. Thunder Hawk was taken to the Harrison County Jail in Logan. No additional details are available at this time.

The teen, who is originally from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, made his escape by jumping out of a dormitory window at around 5:40-a.m., Friday. The escape was the latest to have occurred at the facility in less than two weeks. During the early morning hours of May 5th, 16-year old Kenneth E. Saunsoci, of Rapid City, South Dakota, and 15-year old Lukas T. Barse, of Sioux Falls, jumped from a dorm window and allegedly stole a Toyota Camry. Omaha police located both the car and Saunsoci in Omaha a day later, while Barse remains at large.

The Clarinda Academy is a residential foster care facility that provides residential treatment and shelter care to at-risk and delinquent male and female youth from several states.