JACKSON, Neb. (AP) — A 10-year-old boy from Iowa is the third to die after a single-vehicle crash in Nebraska. The Dakota County Sheriff’s Office says Jose Lara, of Council Bluffs, died from his injuries Thursday evening at a hospital.

Deputies were called Thursday morning to a crash on U.S. Highway 20 near Jackson, Nebraska. The vehicle went over an embankment and into a creek. The driver, 45-year-old Christopher Cox, told police that he swerved to avoid hitting a deer. He has been charged with two counts of motor vehicle homicide and one count of driving without a license. Authorities say additional charges against Cox may be filed.

Two passengers, 57-year-old Connie Fauzae and 9-year-old Esperanza Lara, were pronounced dead at the scene.

Governor Terry Branstad says he is “open” to making changes in the state’s income taxes next year. “But I haven’t formalized any plans yet,” Branstad says. “I want to visit with legislators to see what is ‘the art of the possible.'” Branstad says he MIGHT support ending a controversial tax break that makes Iowa’s income tax RATES look higher than they actually are. Two decades ago, Branstad UNSUCCESSFULLY proposed getting rid of that tax credit. It gives Iowans the ability to subtract what they paid in FEDERAL income taxes from their state tax bill.

“That was back when Iowans for Tax Relief really led the charge to keep that,” Branstad says. “The circumstances may have changed somewhat.” The lobbying group’s influence in the statehouse has faded in the past several years and the founder of Iowans for Tax Relief died last fall. Another group called the Iowa Taxpayers Association released a study last month, making proposals to simplify the state’s income taxes — and getting rid of what’s called “federal deductability” tax break was at the top of the list. Branstad says Iowa is one of the “few states” that offer that deduction and it’s “an impediment” when trying to lure business to relocate or expand in Iowa.

“They look at what is the high marginal rate and they don’t take into consideration the federal deductability, so our effective rate is much lower than that marginal rate, so that hurts the perception of Iowa,” Branstad says, “Now, a lot of Iowans understand that because they are familiar with the Iowa tax, but a lot of companies from the outside, just looking at it, don’t realize that.” While Branstad says this is a problem, he’s not yet ready to call for eliminating this tax break until he’s sure a majority of legislators would vote to take that step.

“I’m not one to tilt at windmills,” Branstad says. “I want to do things that can be accomplished and sometimes it takes more than one year to accomplish significant things.”Branstad made his comments during taping of the “Iowa Press” program which will air tonight (Friday) on Iowa Public Television.

(Radio Iowa)

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Three men have pleaded guilty in federal court to charges stemming from a 2011 robbery and shooting that killed a Sioux City, Iowa, man. Prosecutors say 26-year-old Courtland Clark of Flowery Branch, Georgia, 35-year-old Robert Beaver of Sioux City and 26-year-old Devery Hibbler of Dumas, Arkansas, were convicted Friday of interference with commerce by robbery based on their guilty pleas. Clark and Hibbler also pleaded guilty to using a firearm during a crime of violence causing death.

Prosecutors say the men entered marijuana dealer Tony Canfield’s home May 1, 2011, armed with a handgun to steal marijuana and cash. Prosecutors say Beaver beat and held Canfield’s wife while Clark and Hibbler struggled with Canfield, who was shot by Hibbler as he attempted to flee. A sentencing date hasn’t been set.

Iowa Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds will be making stops in the KJAN listening area this coming week. On Tuesday, Reynolds will be in Guthrie Center beginning at 10:30-a.m. for a tour of Guthrie Center Main Street. At noon, she’s slated to be in Adair, to try the “2016 Best Burger in Iowa,” at the Chuckwagon Restaurant.

Afterward, the Lt. Governor travels to Winterset for a visit to Angel Wings and Country Things, at 2-p.m., Tuesday. And, on Thursday, she’ll be in Onawa, where she will meet with officials at the Western Iowa Power Cooperative. The meeting takes place at 1:15-p.m.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office today (Friday) reports two arrests. 42-year old Jerry Lee Dawson, of Hastings, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Criminal Trespass. His bond was set at $1,600. And, 61-year old Craig Lee Hancock, of Council Bluffs, was arrested on a warrant for probation violation. His bond was set at $15,000. Both men were taken into custody, Friday.

The driver of a vehicle being pursued this (Friday) morning, in Council Bluffs, managed to elude authorities, but not before the vehicle he drove was abandoned and left running, causing an accident.Bluffs Police say at around 7-a.m., a CBPD Officer attempted to stop a vehicle in the area of Glen Ave. and 5th Ave in Council Bluffs. The suspect vehicle refused to stop and attempted to elude the officer. The vehicle drove West on 5th Ave until it reached the intersection of 5th Ave and Clark Street.

The driver of the vehicle then turned South on Clark which is a dead end street. At the end of the block the suspect turned into a driveway and the turned his vehicle into the back yard of the residence and bailed out of the vehicle. The vehicle then rolled through two separate yards and came to a stop after striking a parked vehicle in the third yard it entered.

Officers attempted to find the suspect on foot but were unable to locate him. There were no injuries during the incident and minimal damage to property in the area. During this investigation officers found that this vehicle had been stolen just prior to this incident but had not yet been reported. The investigation is on-going.