Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — U.S. Senator Charles Grassley says he supports a federal extension of unemployment benefits as long as the money is found to pay for it. Speaking to reporters on a conference call yesterday, Grassley says he voted no Tuesday on a procedural issue determining whether the issue would move forward because there were no assurances the measure would be funded.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Governor Terry Branstad says he is setting modest expectations for the legislative session this year. Speaking yesterday at The Associated Press’ annual legislative seminar, Branstad said he will unveil proposals next week dealing with bullying, Internet access and support for veterans. Those items will be released along with his budget plan.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Governor Terry Branstad says he did not nab a wild hog during a hunting trip in Texas this past weekend. Branstad says today that the trip near Dallas was his first time hunting wild pigs. After waiting to take a shot, Branstad says he missed. Branstad said his group had more success shooting wild ducks.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Governor Terry Branstad is following up on a friendly wager with Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal over the outcome of the Outback Bowl. LSU beat Iowa 21-14 on January 1st in the Outback Bowl. Branstad says he is donating 100 pounds of Iowa ham to a food bank in his home state and 100 pounds of Iowa ham to a similar place in Louisiana.

Authorities say no injuries were reported following a fire Wednesday afternoon, in Marne. Firefighters from Atlantic and Marne responded to a reported wood burning stove-related fire at 402 Franklin Street, just before 1:30-p.m.

Photo from the Atlantic Fire and Rescue’ Facebook page.

Officials said heat from a wood burning stove on the back porch of the residence apparently caused a nearby wood pile to ignite. The wood pile was apparently smoldering for quite some time before it erupted into flames. The pile and stove were fully involved in a fire when the first crews arrived on the scene. The blaze was contained to the porch and woodpile, both of which were said to have been a total loss.

Firefighters from Marne Fire Department and Atlantic fought to contain the blaze. They were assisted by deputies with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, and Cass County Emergency Management Director Mike Kennon.

The Atlantic City Council began their first session of the new year on Wednesday night with two new council members, and the recognition of a woman who has served for more than two decades at the City Library. Bob Cord and Lori Stuart joined the Council after having won the City Elections last November. Mayor Dave Jones’ first order of business after welcoming them to the Council, was to pay special recognition to Diane McFadden.

Jones read a proclamation recognizing McFadden for 25-years of service. She began her duties with the Atlantic Public Library on Jan. 1st 1989. On behalf of the City, Jones thanked for her “Dedication and service to the citizens of Atlantic.”

The Council then acted on approving a variety of administrative matters and a Resolution accepting work performed by KWS, Incorporated, with regard to the 7th Street traffic signalization project, which vastly reduced the amount of time motorists have to wait at the intersection of 7th and Olive for the traffic lights to change. Mayor Dave Jones was among those who was very happy about the long-overdue change, as the City has been battling with the DOT for years to resolve traffic control device problems at the intersection.

The project began and was completed last summer. Jones said it “Has never been any better,” and “it works perfect.” The final contract price on the project was $141,566. The Council also approved an Engineering Agreement with Snyder and Associates Engineers, for the mapping of the Atlantic Municipal Airport, in the lump sum amount of $2,300.

City Administrator Doug Harris said early last fall, the City contracted with SWIPCO – The Southwest Iowa Planning Council – to update the Ordinance, as required by the FAA so the City can continue to receive State and Federal funds. As part of the agreement, surveying and mapping of the airport was required. SWIPCO indicated that wasn’t part of their agreement with the City. The City contacted Snyder’s to handle the task, 90-percent of the cost for which will be reimbursed by the FAA. The City will end up paying about $200 after reimbursement.

Members of the Exira-Elk Horn Kimballton Super Board of Education will meet Thursday evening in the Media Room at the Exira-EHK Middle School. During their 7-p.m. session, the Board will hear the Teacher’s first proposal on Negotiations. In other business, they’ll discuss and possibly act on setting the date and time for Board meetings for the Super Board.

Prior to adjourning for the evening, the Board will move into a closed session pertaining to Negotiations, per Iowa Code Section 21.17 (3).

Officials with the Cass County Memorial Hospital say the Cass County Health System will be hosting a community open house on Thursday, January 16, from 3 – 6 pm. Visitors will be able to tour the newly added and renovated areas of the facility. Tours will be self-guided, with staff on hand to give directions and answer questions about the changes.

The $22.5 million dollar addition and renovation project began with a groundbreaking in March 2011. The early phases of the project included relocating the helipad and then adding on a two-story addition. The addition opened in June 2012 and houses the Emergency Department and surgical services on the first floor. The second floor is the Inpatient Services Department – medical/surgical, special care and obstetrics.

After the addition was complete, an extensive remodeling of the existing building began. Some departments were relocated, a number of areas were expanded, and some received cosmetic updates. Major changes to patient areas included expanding the Outpatient Clinic, Cardiac Rehab, Diabetes Center and Atlantic Medical Center. Rehabilitation Services moved into the former OB and Surgery Departments, which allowed room for expanding existing therapy specialties and adding a hydrotherapy pool. Once all the departments were relocated, the original inpatient wings were demolished, due to the age of facility and the expense needed to bring it up to current standards and codes.

As the original project neared completion, the Board of Trustees felt the hospital’s strong financial position allowed for a few additional projects. Most significantly, an in-house MRI suite was developed, which was put into service in late December 2013. A new chapel area was designed near the patient rooms, surgery and emergency waiting areas. There are still a few areas left to receive new floor and wall coverings, primarily interior corridors and offices, and the cafeteria. Those projects are expected to be completed by late March.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A chief Republican foe of immigration legislation says it would be a “colossal mistake” for the House to consider any measure this year and shift attention from President Barack Obama’s health care law. For months, Republicans have been focused on attacking the health care law, sensing a political boost in its problem-plagued rollout.

Wednesday’s comments by Rep. Steve King of Iowa underscore the difficulty for advocates who have raised expectations for congressional action on immigration. He spoke after a closed-door meeting of House Republicans in which Speaker John Boehner told GOP rank-and-file that he will soon outline party principles on immigration.

The Senate passed a comprehensive bipartisan bill last year with a path to citizenship for the estimated 11 million immigrants living in the United States illegally. The bill stalled in the House where Boehner has said he prefers a piecemeal approach.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Supreme Court says an emergency stay will remain in place against orders to suspend a gaming license for a new Sioux City casino. Justice Brent Appel granted a stay Dec. 19 that halted an earlier stay by Polk County District Court Judge Robert Hanson. An order signed Wednesday means the stay will remain in place, and construction on the casino can continue.

The Sioux City Journal reports Hanson’s stay Dec. 10 suspended a gaming license for the Hard Rock-themed casino being developed by SCE Partners. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission issued it in April. The commission is entangled in litigation with Penn National Gaming, which owns the Argosy riverboat casino. Penn wanted the gaming license suspended until a lawsuit against the commission could be resolved.