Republicans in the Iowa Senate have given final legislative approval to a one percent increase “per pupil” state support of public schools in the next academic year. It amounts to an increase of about 32 million dollars. Due to DECLINING enrollment, not all districts will get more money. Some schools will be forced to CUT budgets. Another bill approved by the Senate last (Monday) night, provides 140 districts with more state money to cover transportation costs.

Senator Rob Hogg, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, ridiculed Senate Republicans for abandoning their long-term plan and embracing the HOUSE Republicans’ one-year proposal. “A measly little injection of money,” Hogg said. “…I think that is pathetic.”

Senator Amy Sinclair, a Republican from Allerton, responded. “I would much rather have this be a long-term solutions, but let me tell you, Senator Hogg, $14 million is not nothing,” Sinclair said.

Legislators say they hope to address school transportation costs and the glitch in the “per pupil” formula that distributes general state funding for schools next year.

(Radio Iowa)

Officials with the Council Bluffs Police Department said late Monday evening, that they were notified at around 2-p.m. Monday, a student had threatened to bring a weapon to Lewis Central High School. The student had expressed his disdain for the school then made the threat, which was overheard by a staff member, who immediately reported the incident to school administration. The students name is not being released.

Lewis Central administrators contacted police regarding the threat. An investigation into the incident was started immediately. The student’s family has been contacted and they are cooperating with the on‐going investigation. Charges are pending at this time. Officials said that while they do not believe the threats made by the student are credible, officers will be present at Lewis Central today (Tuesday).

Authorities say “Anyone who hears or sees another person making threats to shoot up a school or other location should immediately report the event to someone in authority.  Notification of law enforcement is paramount in stopping these types of events before they become tragedies.” Officials said also, “The Council Bluffs Police Department takes any threat to shoot up a school or other location very seriously. [They/We] aggressively investigate each of these claims and work with [our] prosecutors to charge those responsible.”

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:35 a.m. CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa mother accused of leaving her four children home alone to travel to Europe has taken a plea deal. Johnston resident Erin Macke entered Alford pleas Monday in Polk County District Court to four counts of child endangerment. In an Alford plea, a person doesn’t admit guilt but acknowledges there is enough evidence for a likely conviction. Her sentencing is scheduled for April 19.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Investigators have seized a trove of electronic devices from a northeastern Iowa cabin owned by a youth basketball coach under investigation for allegedly making videos of naked boys. Greg Stephen, co-director of the Iowa Barnstormers, left the traveling youth organization Thursday after agents searched his Monticello home. Newly available documents show agents also searched a cabin in a recreation area near Lake Delhi and seized smartphones, tablets and flip phones.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Des Moines police say a driver accused of hitting and killing a pedestrian provided a false name to officers. A news release Monday said officers expect more charges will be leveled against 22-year-old Oleaf Teoh, who provided a different name proved false by fingerprint examination. Police say a man walking west was struck from behind around 9 p.m. Sunday. He’s been identified as Des Moines resident Matthew Otto. It’s unclear whether Teoh has a lawyer.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Public Health Department says in its latest report that 157 Iowa residents have died of flu-related illnesses since Oct. 1 _ the worst flu season since the swine flu outbreak in 2009. The department says that at this point last flu season, just 50 confirmed flu deaths had been reported in Iowa.

Members of the Atlantic School District’s Board of Education will meet Wednesday afternoon in the High School Media Room, for collective bargaining sessions, and a Special meeting that includes a resignation.

The meeting begins at 4-p.m. with the Certified Staff Collective Bargaining Unit (Atlantic Education Association) Proposals. The Unit will present its initial contract proposal for the 2018-19 School Year, and, the Board of Education will present its initial proposal. Afterward, the Employees Association will present the Non-Certified Staff Bargaining Unit Proposals and the Board of Ed will present theirs. Both sessions are open to the public.

During the Special Meeting, the Board of Education will discuss upcoming dates, including: The End of the 3rd Quarter as March 2nd; March Regular Board Meeting date set for March 14th, and Spring Break March 19th-23rd.

Other discussion items include IASB Updated Board Policies and 400 Series Board Policies. The Action item on their agenda includes a Resignation, which is likely related to the hiring of Matt Alexander by the OA-BCIG School Board.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa mother accused of leaving her four children home alone to travel to Europe has taken a plea deal. Johnston resident Erin Macke entered Alford pleas Monday in Polk County District Court to four counts of child endangerment. In exchange prosecutors will drop a charge of making a firearm available to a person under age 21. In an Alford plea, a person doesn’t admit guilt but acknowledges there is enough evidence for a likely conviction. Her sentencing is scheduled for April 19.

Police were called to her home in September by the children’s father, who said the kids — two age 12, one 7, one 6 — had been left alone. Police say Macke failed to make child care arrangements before leaving Sept. 20 for a 10-day Germany vacation.

Audubon Police Chief Matt Starmer reports three arrests. On Feb. 18th, 32-year old Skielynn Laverne Stephens, of Audubon, was arrested and charged with Disorderly Conduct, Public Intoxication, Possession of a Controlled Substance – Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possessing a Controlled Substance in a Detention Facility.  Stephens was transported to the Audubon County Jail and released the following day after appearing before a magistrate.

On Feb. 20th,  20-year old Jay Robert Edwin Pedrin, of Audubon, was arrested on an active Cass County Warrant, and was released to Cass County authorities. And, on Feb. 23rd, 23-year old Collin Jacob Wernimont, of Carroll, was arrested for Driving While Revoked.  Wernimont was transported to the Audubon County Jail where he later posted bond and was released.

(12:40-p.m. News)