DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A state agency is collecting data to better understand whether the Iowa Legislature’s move to cut funding for Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers is resulting in less access to reproductive health care.

Iowa Department of Human Services officials have told lawmakers the agency has been compiling data on its state-run family planning program since it took effect in July.

The analysis follows a decision by the Legislature’s Republican majority to forgo federal funding and instead spend about $3.1 million in state money on a family planning program that excludes clinics affiliated with abortion services. Even before the state’s actions, no federal or state dollars were spent on abortions in Iowa.

Wendy Rickman, a top DHS administrator, says a new workgroup will meet within weeks to figure out how to interpret the information the agency gathers.

Officials with the City of Atlantic say the next “Atlantic 150” Committee meeting will be held Tuesday, September 19th at 5:30 p.m., in the City Council Chambers. All interested persons are invited to attend.

During their meeting last month, the Atlantic 150 Committee, which is planning activities for the City’s Sesquicentennial Celebration that will take place in 2018, it was determined the events will kick off on December 2, 2017 at the city’s Lighted Christmas Parade with the Mayor proclaiming 2018 as the City’s Sesquicentennial Year.

Organizers say rather than one large celebration, the city will be celebrating each month in 2018. Each month has been assigned a theme in order to assist individuals/groups/organizations/businesses in creating ideas for activities they may want to sponsor throughout the year. The Calendar of Events will also be made available on the atlanticiowa.com website, as well as found on the Sesquicentennial Facebook Page – Atlantic Sesquicentennial.

Officials with the Cass County Memorial Hospital/Cass County Health System, invite you to register for this Thursday’s “Healthy U” session, presented by Senior Life Solutions. The event begins at Noon on Thursday, September 21st, in Conference Room 2 at Cass County Health System (CCMH).

Senior Life Solutions is a program dedicated to addressing the emotional and behavioral health of adults over the age of 65, and it begins this month at CCHS. Participants have individual assessments, and then regularly meet in a supportive group setting. The staff includes a board-certified psychiatrist, licensed therapists, nurses, and other geriatric professionals.

Healthy U is a free educational lunch series at Cass County Health System held monthly in Conference Room 2. The public is invited and welcome to attend, but reservations are required as lunch is provided for all attendees. Call 712-243-7479 to reserve your seat.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 4:30 a.m. CDT

LOCKRIDGE, Iowa (AP) — A southeastern Iowa man has been charged with vehicular homicide for a March crash that killed a passenger in his car. The Hawk Eye reports that 21-year-old Maxwell Spalla, of Lockridge, was charged earlier this week with vehicular homicide while under the influence of drugs and alcohol. The crash happened around 1:30 a.m. March 6 near Brighton, killing 21-year-old Jacob Nelson of Lockridge, and seriously injuring another passenger. Investigators say Spalla was driving the pickup.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — Nearly a dozen church properties in eastern Iowa are getting roof repairs because of a tornado last fall, including some projects that have required intricate scaffolding that surrounds soaring spires. The Quad-City Times reports that the damage to the Davenport area churches was caused by an Oct. 6 tornado. An Insurance agent says the Diocese of Davenport inspected the roofs of church properties in the Iowa Quad-Cities and determined that 11 sites need repairs.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — A Nebraska tribe has received a more than $17,000 grant meant to help address elder abuse throughout its 15-county service area in Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota. The Press & Dakotan reports that the Ponca Tribe received the Elder Abuse Innovation Grant Award through the National Indigenous Elder Justice Initiative Innovation program. Andrea Rodriguez is the tribe’s domestic violence program coordinator. She says the grant allows the tribe to offer outreach and prevention work on elder abuse.

HAMPTON, Iowa (AP) — With Friday marking four years since the disappearance of a Hampton man, police are reminding the public of a $100,000 reward for information in the case. Hampton police say they’re still searching for answers in the 2013 disappearance of Ethan Kazmerzak. Kazmerzak was 22 years old when he was last seen in the early morning hours of Sept. 15, 2013, at a party northwest of Hampton. No one has reported seeing Kazmerzak or his car since.