DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa lawmakers are exempt from releasing their work emails or daily schedules to the public because they determine their own rules on such matters, and the Iowa Supreme Court has upheld that authority. Legislative staffers cited the Iowa Constitution in their records request denial to The Associated Press, which sought the documents for Senate and House leaders.

The AP requested information for legislative leaders in all 50 states as part of Sunshine Week, a national initiative to promote government transparency and freedom of information. The request turned up as many denials as approvals.

Iowa’s constitution says the General Assembly can determine its rules, and the Iowa Supreme Court decided in 1996 that this includes record confidentiality policies. Some lawmakers say the system ensures constituents can confidently contact elected officials.

Police in Council Bluffs arrested a man on a felony Burglary in the 2nd Degree charge early this (Sunday) morning. Raul Landeros Jimenez was taken into custody and booked into the Pottawattamie County Jail on the Class-C felony charge. Authorities arrested Jimenez after officers responded to 722 6th Avenue at around 5:20-a.m., for a reported disturbance.

Before they arrived, officers were advised of a male suspect who had entered the residence. Upon arrival, officers located Raul Jimenez inside the residence. Upon further investigation it was established Jimenez had arrived at the residence with the intent of assaulting his ex‐girlfriend who was located inside the residence. Jimenez assaulted Miguel Villareal outside the residence before kicking in the front door to the residence. Raul then entered the residence and began looking for his ex‐girlfriend when officers arrived and took him into custody.

Red Oak Police late Saturday night arrested a Red Oak couple on Disorderly Conduct and Public Intoxication charges. 28-year old Richard Dean Pierce and 29-year old Katie Marie Pierce were taken into custody at around 11:30-p.m. in the vicinity of N. 2nd and E. Washington Streets, in Red Oak. The couple were brought to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $300 cash bond, each.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Fire officials say controlled burns outside the city have left Des Moines enshrouded in a smoky haze. Television station KCCI says the haze Saturday morning led several people to call the fire department and police. Des Moines Fire Department Captain Mark Dooley says fire officials have spoken with meteorologists, who say an inversion and lack of wind have left the smoky haze over the city.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Fire investigators are looking into the cause of a Cedar Rapids strip mall restaurant fire. Television station KCRG reports that the fire broke out early Saturday morning. Firefighters were called around 5 a.m. to the blaze at Jersey’s Pub and Grub. No one was in the restaurant at the time.

NORA SPRINGS, Iowa (AP) — The owner of a newly-opened exotic dance club in Nora Springs has already been cited for a liquor violation. Police tell the Mason City Globe Gazette that Dale Peterson, owner of the Pole Barn Theater, was cited Thursday night for allowing liquor not covered by a license inside a public establishment.

SAC CITY, Iowa (AP) — An Ida Grove man accused of intentionally hitting another man with his car on Valentine’s Day has pleaded not guilty to charges in the case. The Sioux City Journal reports that 36-year-old Jeremy Werneburg pleaded not guilty Friday in Sac County District Court to attempted murder, assault using a dangerous weapon, going armed with intent, second-degree criminal mischief and two counts of willful injury.

The Red Oak Police Department reports the arrest of 47-year-old Lynn Kenneth Houtchens of Red Oak on a charge of Domestic Abuse Assault 3rd or Subsequent Offense on Saturday.  Houtchens was arrested at 6:08pm at 504 E Market Street in Red Oak.  The charge is a Class D Felony and Houtchens was taken to the Montgomery County Jail and held on no bond until seen by a Magistrate.

SAC CITY, Iowa (AP) — An Ida Grove man accused of intentionally hitting another man with his car has pleaded not guilty to charges in the case. The Sioux City Journal reports that 36-year-old Jeremy Werneburg pleaded not guilty Friday in Sac County District Court to attempted murder, assault using a dangerous weapon, going armed with intent, second-degree criminal mischief and two counts of willful injury. His trial has been set for May 10.

Police say Werneburg threatened a group of people with a hammer outside the Carnarvon Inn in Carnarvon, Iowa, on Valentine’s Day. Police say he then got into his car and intentionally hit Freese, pinning Freese against a building. Freese suffered serious injuries. Police arrested Werneburg three days later in Fort Dodge.

EMMETSBURG, Iowa (AP) — A northwest Iowa man has been sentenced to five year in prison for shooting at a crop-dusting plane in Palo Alto County last year. Sioux City television station KTIV reports that 55-year-old John Metzger, of Whittemore, was sentenced Friday in Palo Alto District Court.

Metzger was found guilty in November by a jury of going armed with intent. He was not found guilty of other charges, including terrorism, stalking with a weapon and intimidation with a dangerous weapon.

The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office says Metzger fired a gun that hit the wing flap of a plane while spraying a field in Fairfield Township on July 31. The plane was landed safely at Steier’s landing strip in Whittemore. The pilot wasn’t injured.

w/ Chris Parks

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The Red Oak Police Department reports the arrest Friday night of an Atlantic man on multiple charges.  At 11:23pm officers arrested 21-year-old Christian Lee Meek of Atlantic in the 200 block of 3rd Avenue in Red Oak.  Meek was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Marijuana (a Serious Misdemeanor), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (a Simple Misdemeanor), and was also cited for open container of alcohol as a passenger.  Meek was taken to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $1,000 cash bond.

Iowa’s senior U-S Senator has filed the paperwork needed to run for a seventh term. Senator Chuck Grassley’s office says the Republican has submitted more than 20-thousand signatures to get on the June 7th primary ballot to the Iowa Secretary of State’s office. Grassley was required for file only 33-hundred-31 signatures to qualify.

A news release announcing the filing of the signatures, says the “extraordinary number of signatures reflects Iowans’ recognition that Chuck Grassley works hard on the issues that are important to them.” Grassley, who has served in the U-S Senate since 1981, has come under fire over his decision to not hold any hearings on a new Supreme Court justice until after the presidential election.

(Radio Iowa)