Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

PLEASANT HILL, Iowa (AP) — A high school senior in central Iowa has been accused of lighting a smoke bomb in a school bathroom. Jason Boothroyd was arrested yesterday after firefighters were dispatched to Southeast Polk High School in Pleasant Hill, outside of Des Moines. The entire school was evacuated.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Officials are investigating what may have caused 45 students at a Sioux City elementary school to get sick with a gastrointestinal illness. A Sioux City school district spokeswoman says the students from Bryant Elementary either called in sick yesterday or were sent home early. Three staff members also called in sick. Siouxland District Health is investigating what may have caused the illness.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa lawmakers have reached a spending compromise for Iowa’s public universities and other education programs. The state House and Senate approved the $897 million higher education budget yesterday evening. It’s a compromise including enough money to freeze in-state tuition at the state universities. The legislation now goes to Governor Terry Branstad.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An effort to maintain a tax break for ethanol blended fuel has won state Senate approval. The Iowa Senate yesterday backed a bill that would extend a tax break for fuel that includes ethanol and gasoline for another year. Currently, ethanol blends are taxed at 20 cents a gallon and pure petroleum is taxed at 22 cents a gallon. Those numbers include a 1 cent environmental fee.