Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CST

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A prominent lottery official who was stripped of power after a subordinate allegedly carried out a years’long jackpot-rigging scheme received a $284,000 severance payment. A recent tax filing shows the Multi-State Lottery Association made the payment to its longtime executive director Chuck Strutt as part of a “voluntary termination agreement” signed March 31. Strutt says he agreed to leave the association to help it move on after the alleged fraud by employee Eddie Tipton.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad says his priorities for the new Iowa Legislature will include removing state funding for Planned Parenthood and prohibiting public workers from bargaining for their health insurance. Branstad highlighted his plans Tuesday during his annual Condition of the State address. Branstad says he supports redirecting funding toward organizations that don’t perform abortions, though no state taxpayer money is currently used on abortions.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An aide to Gov. Terry Branstad says he generally supports legislation by Senate Republicans that would create a state program for distributing family planning money and excludes funding for Planned Parenthood. Ben Hammes, a spokesman for Branstad, confirmed Tuesday that Branstad supports a state-run program that directs family planning money to organizations that do not perform abortions. Such a program is referenced in a bill filed Monday by Senate Republicans.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — An unexpected $2 million generated by the sale of tax credits will enable Scott Community College to add features to a planned downtown Davenport campus, including a community room, more science lab space and space for a virtual reality program. The Quad-City Times reports interest from U.S. Bank increased the amount of money expected to be raised through tax credits from $4 million to nearly $6.4 million. The total cost of the project is now $30 million.

(DES MOINES)— Rep. Tom Moore (R-Griswold) is seen here taking the oath of office in the Iowa House chamber as the 87^th General Assembly kicked off Monday at the Capitol.  Durring the session, Moore can be reached at tom.moore@legis.iowa.gov or through the House switchboard at (515) 281-3221.

The swearing in ceremony of all 100 state representatives begins a week full of ceremonies, including the Condition of the State address by the Governor, and the Condition of the Judiciary address by the Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice.  A full slate of committee work begins as well, as bills begin the process it takes to get them to the House floor for full debate.

The Harlan Police Department says four arrests were made since the beginning of the new year. Most recently, last Friday, 25-year old Michael Tremayne  was arrested on an active Shelby County warrant.  Tremayne was taken to the Shelby County Jail on the warrant charging him with 2 counts of delivery/manufacturing of a controlled substance.

On Thursday, Harlan Police investigated an incident where a car was driving carelessly in and around the square in downtown Harlan.  As a result of the investigation, 28-year old Kurtis Kobold, of Kirkman, was taken into custody and transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with careless driving, interference with official acts, and cited for three counts of failure to obey stop or yield sign.

On January 4th, 20-year old Gage Johnston, of Harlan, was taken into custody following a traffic stop.  Johnston was transported to the Shelby County Jail on the warrant for failure to appear.  Johnston was also charged with driving while suspended and was cited for failure to prove security against liability.

And, on Jan. 1st, 20-year old Elijah Williams was taken into custody following a minor traffic accident.  Williams was taken to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.  Williams was also cited for failure to maintain control and failure to prove security against liability – accident.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports three recent drug related arrests. Last Saturday, 55-year old Raymond Eugene Quaites, of Omaha, and 31-year old Michael Jordan Byrd, of Ralston, NE, were taken into custody on two counts each of Possession of a Controlled Substance. Both were taken to the Cass County Jail where they were released the following day on their own recognizances.

On January 5th, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 44-year old Robert Joseph Dambra, of Atlantic, on two charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance. Dambra was taken to the Cass County Jail and released the following day on $7,000 bond.

And, no injuries were reported following a single-vehicle accident last Thursday, in Cass County. The Sheriff’s Office says deputies responded to the scene near the Lewis Road and 570th Street, at around 7:20-a.m. A 2010 Toyota Corolla driven by 18-year old Porsche Leann Carlton, of Griswold, was westbound on Lewis Road when she lost control of the vehicle, which came to rest in the north ditch in a corn field. Damage to the vehicle is estimated at $4,000.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports deputies Monday night, served an arrest warrant on 20-year old Jared Douglas Comstock, of Coin. The warrant was for Violation of probation from an original charge, of Assault with bodily injury or mental illness.  Comstock was transported to the Page County Jail where he was being held on a $2000 cash only bond.

Jared Comstock

Governor Terry Branstad is delivering/has delivered what is likely his final “Condition of the State” address to lawmakers today (Tuesday). Branstad has also delivered documents to lawmakers that outline 110-million dollars in proposed cuts to the current year’s state budget along with policy priorities, like developing new standards for computer courses in Iowa’s K-through-12 schools.

Schools would not be REQUIRED to adopt the new guidelines for computer science classes, but the governor’s recommending that the state hire a consultant to draw up new standards for computer courses. The governor’s chief of staff says Branstad’s policy plans are geared to build on the new dynamics and new expectations in the legislature now that Republicans are fully in control.

Branstad’s call for “smaller, smarter government” is targeted toward state boards and commissions. Some may be merged. Others eliminated or their regulatory powers will be reduced. Branstad’s also calling on legislators to address the spike in traffic fatalities. He’s asked for enhanced penalties for drivers caught texting behind the wheel, plus new 24/7 state monitoring of habitual drunken drivers.

(Radio Iowa)