The Iowa House has passed a bill that calls for holding school board elections in November, on the same day as city elections. Representative Guy Vander Linden, a Republican from Oskaloosa, says it will increase the number of voters choosing local school board members. “Currently across the state, on average, school board election turn-out is seven percent. In municipal elections, on average, it’s 20 percent,” Vander Linden says. “Approval of this bill will, in essence, triple turn-out for school board elections.”

The bill easily passed the House on a 61-to-36 vote and the majority leader in the state senate says he and his fellow Democrats have supported similar legislation in the past. But some House Democrats warn it will be too difficult for poll workers to figure out which ballot to hand a voter, since school district boundaries may be different from city council wards. Representative Mary Gaskill, a Democrat from Ottumwa, is the former Wapello County Auditor and she ran local elections.

“As we know, school districts and cities have different boundary lines,” Gaskill says. “…I cannot guarantee that people will be able to go to the precinct that they normally go to.” Vander Linden says it will require some work for county election officials. “The auditors who, by the way, have already been involved in writing this bill tell us that it can be done without a great deal of over-work on their part and they agree that it is well worth tripling turnout,” Vander Linden says.

The move will also save the costs of paying poll workers to conduct school board elections in September as well as municipal elections in November. Education groups oppose the move to consolidate school board elections with elections for mayors and city council spots.

(Radio Iowa)

The manager of the Iowa Gambling Treatment and Prevention Program is warning that 1 out of every 10 adult Iowans is “at risk” of becoming a problem gambler. Eric Preuss delivered a presentation Thursday before the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission meeting in Altoona. “Although it’s estimated that 1.2 percent, or about 29,000, adult Iowans have a gambling disorder, it’s also estimated that 12.6 percent, or almost 295,000, are classified as at risk for developing a gambling disorder,” Preuss said.

Governor Branstad is due to sign a proclamation today (Friday) recognizing March as National Problem Gambling Awareness Month in Iowa. Preuss notes the percentage of Iowans with a gambling disorder is low, but their behavior has a wide reaching impact. “Almost 1 out of 7 adult Iowans, that’s 15-percent, have said they have been negatively affected by the gambling behavior of someone they know,” Preuss said.

The Iowa Gambling Treatment Program operates the 1-800-BETS-OFF hotline. There were over 6,300 calls placed to the hotline in fiscal year 2015 — the most calls since 2009. More than 600 Iowans a year enter an Iowa Gambling Treatment program. “The primary wagering method for folks who come into services is slots, with table games at number two, and lottery games is number three at 15-percent,” Preuss said.

March was selected as National Problem Gambling Awareness Month because of the NCAA Basketball Tournament. The FBI estimates that more than $2.5 billion is wagered illegally each year on “March Madness.”

(Radio Iowa)

Police in Council Bluffs say the body of a woman was found during a search of a home that was on fire there early this (Friday) morning. Council Bluffs Police and Fire crews were called to 2404 S. 11th Street at around 2:25-a.m., with regard to a house fire. While en route, officers were advised there was possibly someone still inside. Upon arrival, officers reported the house to be fully involved and they were unable to make entry. Council Bluffs Fire arrived on scene and took over the scene. While clearing the house, a deceased female was located in the southeast corner of the residence.

The woman’s name was being withheld pending notification of the next of kin. The Council Bluffs Fire Investigator and the Criminal Investigations Division are investigating the incident.

Red Oak Police cited a teen late Thursday night on assault and other charges. Officials report 17-year old Siera Ann Bissell-Abraham, of Red Oak, was taken into custody at around 11:45-p.m. for Assault Causing Bodily Injury, and Criminal Mischief in the 5th degree. Bissell-Abraham was cited into juvenile court and then released to her parents.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Former Iowa Lieutenant Governor Patty Judge plans to seek the Democratic nomination to run against U.S. Senator Charles Grassley. Democrats in Iowa and Washington with knowledge of her plans but not authorized to discuss them say she’ll announce as early as Friday.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An advocacy coalition in Iowa says it delivered thousands of petitions to U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley to protest his recent comments about the selection of a U.S. Supreme Court nominee. A coalition of organizations says it delivered 36,000 petition signatures Thursday to Grassley’s six regional offices around Iowa. They also delivered excerpts from the U.S. Constitution.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A Waterloo man accused in the killing of his former girlfriend, whose body was found in Linn County, has pleaded guilty. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that 38-year-old Shaun Hogan pleaded guilty Tuesday to a reduced charge of second-degree murder for the July 2014 death of 29-year-old Crystal Gaffney. Hogan had been scheduled to go on trial next week and faced a first-degree murder charge.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Chris Kendrix hit five 3-pointers and finished with 21 points, and Ryan Kreklow hit a late 3 to help seventh-seeded Missouri State beat Number 10 seed Drake 69-67 Thursday night in the first round of the Missouri Valley Conference tournament. Dominik Olejniczak led Drake with 18 points, on 9-of-13 shooting, and eight rebounds. Casey Schlatter had a career-high 11 assists in St. Louis.