(Radio Iowa) – The University of Northern Iowa is renovating a portion of its technology center to accommodate its new nursing program. U-N-I’s Michael Hager says the majority of the work is on classrooms in the third floor where they are building simulation labs that he says are an integral component to the curriculum. The budget for the first phase of the Innovative Teaching and Technology Center for Nursing is five million dollars and he says an unusually large percentage of that budget is dealing with the furniture and equipment — because of the cost lab equipment is a higher compared to most academic programs. U-N-I hopes to help with the shortage of nurses in the state with the new nursing program anticipated to start in Fall 2024. The Board of Regents gave approval for U-N-I to move ahead at its meeting last week.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak report two drug-related took place Monday evening. Officers arrested 22-year-old Jacob Christopher Cashatt, of Red Oak, for Possession with the Intent to Deliver/Methamphetamine – a Class B Felony, Possession of a Controlled Substance/Cocaine – 1st offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Cashatt was being held without bond in the Montgomery County Jail. And, 46-year-old Michael Lee LaFollette, of Red Oak, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance – 1st offense. His bond was set at $1,000.

The Red Oak Police Department was assisted during the arrests by the Montgomery County K9 Unit.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Members of the Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department Board will meet at Noon today (Feb. 28th), in a Special Session in the City Council’s Chambers at City Hall. On their agenda is action on a request from the Figgins Family to install memorial benches along the Bull Creek Pathway, and Consideration of a recommendation to the City Council, that an increase in the Hotel/Motel Tax from 4-percent to 7-percent be placed on the November 2023 ballot.

With regard to the two memorial park benches, Ed and Lois Figgins are requesting they be installed for their sons, across the creek from their house.

The Board will also discuss creating an informational brochure for the Hotel/Motel Tax, and the splash pad.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – Sheriff’s officials in Mills County report a man from Red Oak was arrested Sunday morning on Arson & other charges. 19-year-old Jayden Alexander Briggs was taken into custody at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office, on charges that include Arson in the 2nd Degree, and two counts of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor. Briggs was being held on bond amounting to $10,000.

Early Friday morning, 40-year-old Anthony Tobias Taylor, of Mitchell, NE, was arrested in Mills County, on an out-of-county/out-of-state warrant. He was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail.

And, at around 10:45-a.m. on Feb. 23rd, 27-year-old David Gene Barrett II, of Glenwood, was arrested at the Pottawattamie County Jail, on a Mills County warrant for Possession of Controlled Substance and Interference with Official Acts. His bond was set at $4,000.

(Radio Iowa) – Union workers marched through the Iowa Capitol Monday, rallying against a bill to expand the hours and places teenagers may work in Iowa. The bill would let teens work longer hours at night and work in places where they are not allowed to work today. The bill would give two top state officials the power to issue waivers, so teenagers could do more jobs in food processing plants or manufacturing facilities. Iowa Federation of Labor president Charlie Wishman is accusing Republican lawmakers of trying to use kids for cheap labor.

“Our kids, we see their dreams. You all see profit,” Wishman said, “That’s why you’re doing this. Our kids are not for sale.” Sandy Conway, a member of the United Steelworks Union, is an ultrasonic inspector at Arconic in Riverdale. “Everything in our plant gets moved by a fork truck, a crane, a vacuum or hooks,” she said. “It’s no place for 14 or 15 year old kids to be.” Jesse Case is secretary treasurer of Cedar Rapids based Teamsters Local 238.

“We don’t need more kids working in factories and packing plants,” Case said. “We need to pay higher wages for their parents, so their kids don’t have to work in factories and packing plants.” The Republican chair of the Senate Workforce Committee says he’s working on changes to the bill, but hasn’t revealed what those changes may be.