A computer-oriented scam is once again making the rounds in the KJAN listening area. Officials with the Audubon Police Department say they’ve recently received multiple reports about a computer repair scam. The victims receive a phone call from a person identifying themselves as a computer technician. The technician indicates that they are calling due to the victim having computer problems and tricks the victim into letting them remote access their personal computer.

The technician then advises the victim that they have multiple viruses and demands payment. If the victim refuses, the technician then changes passwords on the computer and locks out the victim until the amount is paid. This is a scam and is a reminder to everyone to never allow someone to remote access onto your computer unless you can CONFIRM it is a reputable company and you initiated the contact.

Contact your local law enforcement agency if you have become a victim of this scam.

There was angry debate yesterday (Wednesday) in the Iowa House Education Committee as Republicans and Democrats battle over how much state money to spend on K-through-12 schools next year. Republicans say the state cannot afford the four percent increase approved by Senate Democrats. Representative Greg Forristal, a Republican from Macedonia, suggests a salary freeze for teachers would free up more money for new textbooks and other school initiatives.

“The federal government is telling us that farmers will make 3 percent less in this coming year,” he says. “…Maybe this is the year that teachers could just accept last year’s salary.” Representative Sharon Steckman, a Democrat from Mason City, is a retired school teacher and she accused Republicans of trying to “get rid of public education” in Iowa.

“Asking teachers to accept last year’s salaries I find quite interesting because there are places in our state budget that we haven’t even talked about cutting,” Steckman says. The Republican-led committee then voted, again, for increasing general state aid to public schools by one-and-a-quarter percent for the next academic year.

(Radio Iowa)

A Pottawattamie County jury has awarded a former semi truck driver $25 million in punitive damages in a civil case filed against his workers compensation insurance company. According to the Daily NonPareil, 37-year old Toby Thornton, of Monona, was paralyzed from the chest down in a semi crash in June 2009. At the time, he was an employee of Clayton County Recycling. American Interstate Insurance Company of DeRidder, La., the recycling company’s insurance provider, delayed and fought paying worker’s compensation benefits for years after the accident, denying Thornton was disabled and leading to the civil suit. The jury found that American Interstate Insurance acted in bad faith in its dealings with Thornton.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Senate committee has approved bills that would increase Iowa’s minimum wage and create a more detailed system for preventing wage theft. The committee on labor and business relations voted Wednesday to advance both bills. The full Democratic-controlled Senate can now debate them. The committee yesterday voted largely on party lines.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A high school wrestler from southwest Iowa has been hospitalized after collapsing during a state tournament. The Register reports Creston/Orient-Macksburg wrestler Tayler Pettit doubled over during the state tournament yesterday in Des Moines. Hospital spokesman Gregg Lagan told the Associated Press last night that Petit remains in critical condition.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have confirmed that one person died following a house fire in Waterloo. The Police Department tells the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier the identity of the elderly woman who was found dead at the residence hasn’t been released. Officials say the flames were contained to the living room, where the woman was found.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — An undercover investigation in Council Bluffs has resulted in the arrests of 14 Nebraskans on suspicion of prostitution. The Council Bluffs Police Department says the Southwest Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force staged an undercover operation at a hotel Tuesday. The Daily Nonpareil reports that the 14 arrests occurred over a period of more than nine hours.