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Iowa early News Headlines: Wed., Feb. 15, 2017

News

February 15th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

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

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Both chambers of the Republican-controlled Iowa Legislature have pushed back scheduled votes on a bill that would eliminate most collective bargaining rights for public workers in the state. The House chamber, which debated the bill for several hours, agreed after 10:30 p.m. Tuesday to adjourn until Wednesday morning. The Senate took similar action shortly after 8:30 p.m. Democrats, now in the minority, have filed dozens of proposed changes to the bill.

UNDATED (AP) — Despite President Steven Leath’s claim that the sale should make money, Iowa State University expects to lose tens of thousands of dollars unloading an airplane it purchased 2 ½ years ago for his travel. A notice seeking a broker to handle the sale says Iowa State will likely list the 2011 Cirrus between $429,000 and $480,000. That would be less than what the university has called the “exceptional price” of $498,000 it paid in 2014 _ before the broker gets paid a hefty fee.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — An audit is questioning whether Iowa State University President Steven Leath violated policy in storing and transporting firearms in school housing and airplanes without written approvals. The Board of Regents audit report says the university has no documentation that Leath applied for and received waivers required by policy to bring guns on campus. The report says Leath stores multiple firearms at the president’s mansion, the Knoll, and has brought them on university planes.

WEVER, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have identified a man whose body was found in an eastern Iowa park. The Hawk Eye reports that the body of 47-year-old James Merlin Nelson was found Saturday in Indian Path Park in north Lee County. Lee County Sheriff Stacy Weber said Monday that an autopsy has been ordered. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is leading the investigation into Nelson’s death.