(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Lottery will propose some updates in state law to clear up what constitutes a winning ticket — and to increase the penalty for those who try to hide their winnings to avoid state debt. Lottery Vice President, Mary Neubauer, says they want to clarify the language about winners.”The new subsection that we are adding to the code in that area says that we will pay prizes only for those tickets that have been legally purchase, legally possessed, and legally presented,” Neubauer explained. She says that’s always been the case — but you had to look in several sections of the code to find the answer. “Some prosecutors and local law enforcement who have worked on criminal cases involving lottery tickets have said it would be helpful if the code were more clear and concise in that area. And so, we believe that this new subsection will achieve that. Let’s just make it as clear and concise as possible,” Neubauer says.

Another proposed change involves the state’s offset program which uses lottery winnings to offset the winner’s state debt. “At the lottery, if you win a prize, there is an automatic check of the income offset database of the income offset database when you come in to collect the prize,” according to Neubauer. “And that debt is automatically taken out before we issue a check to the winner.” Neubauer says winners who know about the program may try to get around it.  “For example, they might give the ticket to a friend and have the friend come in to claim a prize rather than the original person being the one to claim a prize. And section three of the bill would have the penalties involved for that apply to both the person who would be passing the ticket to a friend — as well as the friend,” Neubauer says.

She says both people are lying about who won the ticket and both should be penalized. Neubauer says there are thousands of dollars collected each year from lottery winnings to cover state debts.”Over the last five years that total has ranged anywhere from 312-thousand dollars all the way up to 500-thousand dollars in a given year that is recouped,” Neubauer says. She says the best-laid plans of winners trying to keep all the cash have sometimes backfired. “In a couple of instances people who owed offsets gave a ticket to a friend to claim the prize — not know that the friend had an even bigger offset than they did,” Neubauer says. “And in the end, the friend claimed the prize and their offset took the entire prize — so that person who had initially given them the ticket received no money and the friend’s offset was wiped out.”

Neubauer says they will propose the changes in the upcoming legislative session in January.

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

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Tyson Foods says it has fired seven top managers at its largest pork plant after an independent investigation into allegations that they bet on how many workers would test positive for the coronavirus. The company said the investigation led by former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder revealed troubling behavior that resulted in the firings at the plant in Waterloo, Iowa. Tyson Foods President and CEO Dean Banks says the “behavior exhibited by these individuals does not represent the Tyson core values, which is why we took immediate and appropriate action.” Banks traveled to the Waterloo plant on Wednesday to discuss the actions with employees.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Supreme Court is considering whether to allow citizens rights and environmental groups to proceed to trial with their lawsuit that claims Iowa has allowed crop and hog farmers to pollute the Raccoon River, denying citizens safe water for drinking and recreation. Justices heard arguments Wednesday in the case filed in March 2019 by Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement and Food & Water Watch. The state claims the case should be dismissed because the Iowa Constitution places the responsibility of balancing the interests of farmers and water quality in the hands of the legislature and executives and the courts shouldn’t intervene in those policy considerations.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A panel of experts that will help decide which groups get the coronavirus vaccine first in Iowa has been holding closed meetings, circumventing the state open meetings law. The Iowa Department of Public Health convened the Infectious Disease Advisory Council to develop recommendations on how to use the vaccine when supplies are limited in the coming weeks. The panel will recommend which groups of health care workers, essential workers and people at risk for severe COVID-19 illness should be considered higher priorities than others. Department interim director Kelly Garcia says she does not believe the council is bound by the open meetings law. She says she wants the group to have a “free flow of conversation” outside public scrutiny.

JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Kim Reynolds says restaurants and bars in Iowa may return to normal business hours but patrons must still wear masks when not seated for eating or drinking, and groups sitting together must be at least six feet from one another under a new state proclamation effective on Thursday. The restriction on the number of people who may gather at one time is lifted but groups or individuals must distance themselves from one another. Reynolds’ revised coronavirus pandemic emergency proclamation comes as the state has seen the spread of the virus and hospitalizations slow in the past month. Still, Iowa reported an additional 14 deaths on Wednesday and 1,986 new confirmed cases in past 24 hours.

(Des Moines, IA) Officials with the Iowa Dept. of Public Health, Wednesday evening said the federal government notified the IDPH Wednesday, that the State of Iowa, as well as all other states, will not receive the volume of vaccine initially anticipated.

The IDHP says “It appears our allocation may be reduced by as much as 30%, however we are working to gain confirmation and additional details from our federal partners. It will take us some time to work through next steps and adjust our planning.” And, that “We will provide updates as quickly as we are able to as we confirm additional information.”

The Atlantic School Board, Wednesday, extended a mask requirement through January 13th, which is their next, regular Board meeting. Superintendent Steve Barber told KJAN News the Board had previously extended the requirement through Dec. 22nd, pending a decision by Governor Reynolds, but since she did nothing with regard to mask requirements, the Board extended the mandate to the 13th. The plan, according to Barber, is to see what the Governor does when her current proclamation expires January 8th. Meanwhile face coverings are required in all buildings and situations where it is not feasible to social distance.

The Board approved the resignation of Matthew Smith, Assistant HS Boys Soccer Coach. Barber said he has taken a head soccer coach position. The Board also accepted the resignation of Chase Roller, MS Wrestling Coach.  They also approved the criteria for Remote Learning.

Mr. Barber said “Basically saying if a non-medical student who is remote learning or not meeting expectations outlined in the Return to Learn Plan, that they would be required to come back to school if the had on “F” in one their class. It also outlined how attended would take place whether medical or non-medical. If they’re not getting their work done that is an unexcused absence, and if during a grade check – which takes place every two weeks – a student has a “D” or an “F,” and being remote learning, there’ll be a plan put together and [the student] will be put on a two-week probationary period. And if they get their grades up then they can stay in remote learning, otherwise they will be required to come back [for in-person learning].”

There are approximately 90-95 remote learners, with around 40 students considered non-medical.

And, the Board approved a change order for the Atlantic Athletic Facilities Improvement Project in the amount of $19,586. Barber said the proposal is for the refurbishment of the High School Track, where there are some low spots and other such damage. The quote for that work came from Midwest Tennis and Track, who just happens to be the same company that will install the top surface for the track. Barber said “Not only did we get a decent price, but also we got the same sub-contractor doing all the work.”  The majority of that work will have to wait until Spring because of the freeze and thaw cycle of the weather.

The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, discussed at length, a proposed Resolution to approve a Revolving Forgivable Loan Program and Appropriation, for non-profit organizations looking to rehabilitation houses in the community. The Resolution had specifically mentioned SHIFT ATL, a non-profit organization looking to rehab a home at 608 Hazel Street, but Councilpersons Kathy Somers and Gerald Brink objected to the original wording in the Resolution, because it was directed at SHIFT ATl and not open to other non-profits that may chose to pursue a similar course of action (Housing rehab). Both said they were in favor of the project itself, just not the way the funds are being assigned.

Somers said she wanted to separate the revolving loan portion of the resolution and create a separate resolution for an agreement with SHIFT ATL. SHIFT ATL was specifically looking to receive $65,000 from Revolving Loan Fund, which they would be required to pay back within one-year, regardless of whether the house sells or not. The home in question has what most would call “Good bones” (a solid foundation), but requires a good amount of work inside, in order to make it livable.

After 35 minutes of discussion, the Resolution was amended to read “Establishing non-profit housing rehabilitation Revolving Loan Fund with a cap of $100,000. And establishing a partnership and making a budget appropriation. Alexsis Fleener, Vice-President of SHIFT ATL, said afterward, “We will be a good example and hope that other people start non-profits and come forward and rehab more houses.”

In other business, the Atlantic City Council approved Tree Trimmer licenses for Cook Sanitation and Top Hand Tree Service. The held and passed the First Reading of an Ordinance “Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Atlantic, by amending Chapter 106 entitled “Collection of Solid Waste.” And the Council approved a change order in the amount of $1,600 for the Atlantic Golf and Country Club drainage project.

(Update 12/17 w/2nd suspect killed) – Council Bluffs Police, Wednesday evening, said a woman wanted in connection with a shooting incident November 26th near a convenience store/gas station. Authorities say 30-year old Megan Bressman was located and arrested on a Council Bluffs Police on a warrant for Accessory After the Fact, as well as valid warrants out of Nebraska.

Megan Bressman

Bressman was located in a residence in the west end of Council Bluffs. She was apprehended alone and without incident. Bressman was transported to Pottawattamie County Corrections.

The second suspect in the shooting, Benjamin Manley, was on the run for weeks. The U.S. Border Patrol says a man later the suspect was fatally shot after his vehicle went around an immigration checkpoint in southern New Mexico. They didn’t immediately know whether the man killed himself or was struck by Border Patrol agents’ gunfire when they returned his fire during a pursuit Wednesday. The incident began at a checkpoint on a highway near Las Cruces and ended west of Truth or Consequences. The Border Patrol said a female passenger in the car was taken into custody.

A local law enforcement source said Manley was the shooter, and U.S. Marshals confirmed they are no longer looking for Manley, although the Border Patrol have not officially identified the suspect involved in the shootout.

The incident they are suspected of involvement in, happened outside of the gas station/convenience store at 1305 N. 25th Street. An adult female returning from the store was fired upon by a subject believed to be Manley. She escaped, but her vehicle was struck by two rounds fired from the weapon.