The Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) agency has announced Iowans who file continuing unemployment claims should no longer do so by phone after October 1st. Instead, they should file online. IWD spokesperson Courtney Greene says filing online will ensure more timely and accurate payouts to individuals. There are benefits to employers and business as well.

“This change will also ensure the integrity of the unemployment insurance trust fund by reducing incidents of fraud, by eliminating improper payments, thus lowering employers’ taxes,” Greene said. Most Iowans who file continuing unemployment claims already do so online. “I think we’re currently at about 80-percent of people filing online…we really want to get that number into the 90s and even 100-percent if possible,” Greene said.

Despite the IWD’s notice of “online filing only,” people who do not have access to a computer will still be able file over the phone. “We will still have a handful of customer service representatives who will be able to assist people over the phone, but really the trend is to get more and more, as many Iowans as we can get filing their continued claims online,” Greene said. Iowans receiving unemployment benefits are receiving a letter about the change.

(Radio Iowa)

Police in Red Oak arrested a motorcyclist for driving while revoked, Wednesday evening. 41-year old Jason Neal Beacham, of Red Oak, was taken into custody at around 5:30-p.m., after he was observed driving a motorcycle. Officers who knew Beacham didn’t hold a valid driver’s license, pulled him over.  He was transported to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center and held on a $1,000 bond.

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

BOSTON (AP) — Two Iowa men accused of bringing guns and ammunition to Boston after allegedly making online threats against the Pokemon World Championships are expected to change their not guilty pleas. James Stumbo, of Boone, and Kevin Norton, of Ames, are scheduled to appear in Suffolk Superior Court in Boston on Thursday for a change-of-plea hearing. The men pleaded not guilty after they were arrested last year on five weapons charges.

MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a corrections officer at the Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility is recovering from cuts, bruising and swell following an attack by an inmate. Prison spokeswoman Andrea Wright tells the Hawk Eye that the inmate punched the officer several times in the face Monday afternoon. The officer was treated at the scene, then taken to a hospital to receive stitches for cuts from the assault.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A Charles City-area farmer has pleaded guilty to selling more than 90,000 bushels of corn that was pledged as collateral on federal Farm Service Agency loans for more than $196,000. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that 59-year-old Leroy Jones pleaded guilty Monday in federal court to one count of conversion of property pledged to Farm Service Agency. Jones admitted during the hearing to removing or converting 90,581 bushels of corn that he used to mortgage a loan for $196,327.

MONONA, Iowa (AP) — Waterloo television station KWWL reports that Commercial Vehicle Group will close its plant in Monona, Iowa. The station says workers were told the news Tuesday. The company says there are 146 employees at the plant, and some will remain to support purchasing, sales and other roles after manufacturing ends next spring. The company recently closed its plant in Edgewood, cutting 60 jobs.