Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The University of Iowa says a mudslide behind a residence hall has damaged several vehicles in its parking lot. The university said yesterday that heavy rains caused the mudslide behind Mayflower Residence Hall late Wednesday night. No one was injured, but the parking lot behind Mayflower became inundated with several feet of mud and debris.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s state treasury has received an annual payment from tobacco companies totaling more than $65 million. The payment is the result of a 1998 settlement agreement between tobacco companies and states over tobacco-related health care costs.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa program geared at helping people avoid foreclosure has received a federal grant for more than $600,000. The Iowa Mortgage Help foreclosure prevention initiative received the grant from the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling Program. State officials announced the award yesterday.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A monthly survey of Midwest bankers says that strong farm income continues to boost the economy in Iowa, Nebraska and other Plains states. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey from Omaha, Nebraska. He says agricultural businesses and energy-producing firms continue to thrive in the region.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union is seeking an order stopping the enforcement of Iowa laws that make it a crime to abuse the American flag. ACLU filed a lawsuit Thursday on behalf of Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., whose members are known for protesting outside soldiers’ funerals with anti-gay messages. The lawsuit says police in Red Oak and Council Bluffs threatened to enforce Iowa’s flag abuse statutes against during protests between 2010 and 2012.

The lawsuit argues the laws are unconstitutional, and were invalidated by a federal judge’s ruling in 2007. Lawmakers amended one of the laws after that ruling, but ACLU attorney Randall Wilson says they remain an unconstitutional restriction on free speech. Church members drag, stand and spit on flags during protests.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest this (Thursday) afternoon of  a Red Oak woman. Twenty-four year old Amanda Kate Carlson of Red Oak was arrested on a Page County Warrant for Burglary/3rd degree and unauthorized use of a credit card. She was turned over to the Page County Sheriff’s Office and her bond has been set at $4,000.

On Wednesday, April 24th the Atlantic Community School District will be conducting its bi-annual Career Day at Atlantic High School. Students from Atlantic High School and 8th grade middle school students will have an opportunity to listen to speakers throughout the day that will discuss topics related to careers in the area. Students participating in this event will gain a better understanding of expectations, needed level of education, training, and day to day operations in their field of interest. There will be 110 different careers areas that the students can choose from. Speakers from Omaha, Des Moines, Ames and SW Iowa will present to the students. The day will be kicked-off by keynote speaker, Mr. Roger Underwood, a 1976 graduate of Atlantic High School. The day will begin at 8:15 a.m. with the keynote speaker and will include four different “breakout” sessions for the students.

Page County Sheriff Lyle Palmer reports two people were injured when a garbage truck drove off the side of the road and rolled onto its top. The accident happened at around 8:25-a.m. Wednesday on S Avenue near Clarinda. Palmer says the 2001 Freightliner garbage truck driven by 58-year old James Michael Muller, of Villisca, was traveling northeast on S Avenue, when the vehicle went too close to the right shoulder of the road, which was soft due to the recent rain.

When the truck drove off the right side of the road, its rear end swung around, causing the vehicle to roll over before coming to rest on its top. Muller, and his passenger, 65-year old Lawrence Melvin Currin, of Villisca, suffered non-incapacitating injuries, and were transported by private vehicle to the Clarinda Regional Health Center.  Damage to the truck was estimated at $2,000. No citations were issued.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says the DNR’s Derelict Building Grant Program will award reimbursement grants amounting to $491,000, to 19 small, rural Iowa communities to help deconstruct or renovate abandoned structures and limit construction and demolition materials going to the landfill. In our area:

 The City of Early is set to receive $45,000 to have asbestos removed, a phase I/II assessment to be completed and full deconstruction of the Payless Cashway building that was damaged by a tornado. The city is partnering with the local economic development office to market the site for commercial interests. And, the City of Malvern is receiving$80,000 to partner with the Malvern Area Betterment Association to use funds to complete asbestos inspection, abatement, structural analysis and building renovation, which will offer commercial and residential space.

The DNR Derelict Building Grant Program was instituted by statute to help rural communities with populations of 5,000 or less. DBGP funding is awarded annually on a competitive basis with cash matches required. Applications for the next funding round will be due in spring 2014.