LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Gov. Pete Ricketts has extended Nebraska’s statewide restrictions on social gatherings until at least April 30 and urged residents to brace for another “tough month” in April, when the number of new coronavirus cases is expected to peak. Ricketts said Monday that state health officials predict that the number of cases will continue to increase until mid- to late-April before it gradually declines.

He implored residents to continue following the state’s “social distancing” requirements, including a 10-person limit on gatherings. State officials have imposed even tougher restrictions on some hard-hit counties that include Omaha, Lincoln and other population centers.

(Radio Iowa) — Senator Joni Ernst says she’s not yet sure a fourth federal stimulus package will be needed, but if one is developed, Ernst says it should include more help for the health care system. “Making sure that we are investing properly in vaccinations,” Ernst says, “and making sure that we are also developing plans for other future possibilities of other pandemics.”

It’s important to thoroughly evaluate how the first three federal stimulus packages are working before developing a fourth, according to Ernst. “You’ve heard talk from some other states, though. They would like to see additional local government assistance as well as state assistance,” Ernst says. “And that, to me, is something we will debate, we will see — as long as it is COVID-19 related.”

The bill President Trump signed Friday established a 150 BILLION dollar Coronavirus Relief Fund for states, local governments and tribal nations. It also sets aside 117 BILLION for U.S. hospitals and the Veterans Administration health care system, plus another 11 billion for vaccines and other medical needs.

Governor Reynolds will meet with her agency directors early this week to review the entire two TRILLION dollar stimulus package and come up with a list of potential gaps or shortfalls in the next plan. “But I don’t know if I want to speculate at this point until we have an opportunity to go through that,” Reynolds says.

Missouri’s governor has warned tough cuts will have to be made in his state’s budget due to the fall-out over the pandemic. Governors of other states where there are COVID-19 hot spots have said their states need more federal support.

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

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — An outbreak of the coronavirus at an eastern Iowa long-term care facility has infected 21 residents and employees. The outbreak at the Cedar Rapids facility has contributed to a recent surge of infections in Linn County, which on Monday became the county in Iowa with the most cases. Linn County Public Health spokeswoman Heather Meador would not identify the affected facility, saying that could jeopardize the privacy of its residents. She said state and local public health officials were working with the facility’s corporate owner to monitor the situation, including the health of residents and safety of employees.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Federal judges in Texas, Alabama and Ohio have temporarily blocked efforts to ban abortions during the coronavirus pandemic. The rulings Monday were handed down as providers in Iowa and Oklahoma filed lawsuits to stop states from trying to close their doors during the outbreak. Their aim is to stop state officials from prohibiting abortions as part of temporary policy changes related to the coronavirus pandemic. U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel of Texas said the “Supreme Court has spoken clearly” on a women’s right to abortion. A separate judge in Ohio says such orders are unconstitutional if they prohibit abortions.

PLEASANTVILLE, Iowa (AP) — Firefighters battled hot spots following a fire that gutted a church in south-central Iowa. Crews from several departments were dispatched to the Pleasantville Christian Church in Pleasantville before 6 a.m. Monday. They battled to keep flames from reaching nearby homes and had to truck in water because the community supply was too limited. The intense heat melted siding on some of those houses. By midmorning smoke was still escaping from the building, and bricks were strewn about near the foundation and on a sidewalk. No injuries have been reported. The fire cause will be investigated.

MAQUOKETA, Iowa (AP) — An agency wants to fine an eastern Iowa animal food operation for workplace safety violations, saying it has exposed employees to risks that include long falls. The Telegraph Herald reports that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration wants to impose fines of more than $74,000 on Devenish Nutrition. The company is based in Fairmont, Minnesota, and has a feed mill in Maquoketa. Company officials have declined to comment. Inspectors said after a Dec. 2-3 check that they found a lack of proper protection from falls along the Maquoketa building’s catwalk. Inspectors also say employees were exposed to explosive dust hazards.

Officers with the Council Bluffs Police Department responded at around 8:12 pm Monday, to a robbery call at the D & S Express convenience store, located at 1220 N. 25th Street. It was reported that a male came into the store displayed a handgun and took an undisclosed amount of cash, he then fled the area southbound towards Roberts Park.

The male was described as white (unknown age), 5’8 to 5’10, skinny build, white baseball hat with sunglasses on top of the hat, black jacket, blue jean, black handgun and had acne scars on his face. As the time of the report late Monday night, the suspect was unknown. No injuries were reported.

An investigation was underway by the Council Bluffs Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division. Anyone with any information that was in the area at the time of this incident is encouraged to contact this Division at 712-328-4728 or they may call Crime Stoppers at 712-328-7867.

(Radio Iowa) — Two of the state’s five medical cannabis dispensaries have abruptly closed. The Have a Heart Compassionate Care dispensaries in Council Bluffs and Davenport are permanently closed. A news release from the Iowa Department of Public Health says state officials were “made aware today” of the decision to close the two outlets. There are three other state-licensed facilities that sell medical cannabis products in Sioux City, Waterloo and Windsor Heights, which is a Des Moines suburb.

In a written statement, officials in the Department of Public Health said the agency will work to license two new dispensaries in western and eastern Iowa as soon as possible. The medical cannabis industry has been lobbying legislators to expand the state law that set up the system for growing, producing and selling cannabis products in Iowa, arguing current restrictions mean they are not able to make a go of their businesses.

Last year, Governor Kim Reynolds vetoed a bill that would have let the businesses sell more potent medical marijuana products. This year, lawmakers have been crafting a bill that would meet the governor’s objections, but medical marijuana advocates say it’s still too restrictive.

Council Bluffs, Iowa- Officials with Miller Orthopedic Specialists say they are now offering Telehealth options for all established patients. With COVID-19 (Coronavirus) cases on the rise, Miller Orthopedic Specialists is working hard to provide quality care while protecting their patients and staff. This would give the opportunity to better practice social distancing while still providing for patients’ orthopedic needs.

The telehealth option for established patients will allow the clinic staff and providers to interact with patients through Internet capabilities, audio and video via their tablets, phones or computers. This will help the doctors do check-ups on patients without the patient feeling as though they are being put at risk by going out. With many older patients, this is very important as it allows the patient to be seen and have their questions answered, without having to leave their home.

During a time of uncertainty, it is important that patients can feel as though they can have their orthopedic needs addressed without endangering themselves or others. It will help limit patients having to cancel their appointments by providing better access to this healthcare.

While this option is currently only available for established patients, it will still greatly increase the safety of new patients and staff. Telehealth can provide a quick, accessible and easy option for appointments, without violating social distancing.

Patients can call the Council Bluffs office 712-323-5333 or Omaha office 402-991-9958 to schedule an appointment.

(Radio Iowa) — Iowa Workforce Development has updated its leave policy for filing unemployment insurance benefits following the enactment of the federal coronavirus relief bill. Iowa Workforce says, employees who are or will be laid off, or are unable to work for reasons related to COVID-19, will no longer be required to use all paid leave prior to being eligible for unemployment insurance benefits.

This change is not retroactive and claims will not be backdated prior to the week of March 29th for new or existing claims. The federal bill known as the CARES ACT provides funding to help sustain the Iowa Unemployment Trust Fund, which is funded entirely by employers doing business in Iowa and is the source of all benefit payments.

For more information, see the Iowa Workforce Development website.

(Radio Iowa) — State officials have confirmed there’s an outbreak of COVID-19 at a Cedar Rapids nursing home. Governor Kim Reynolds made the announcement Monday afternoon:

“Twenty-one of Linn County’s 71 total positive COVID-19 cases are directly related to this outbreak,” Reynolds says. “State and local public health officials are working closely with the facility regarding the care of those who are sick and assisting with the monitoring of residents and staff.”

Last week, Reynolds issued an order that all staff entering any long-term care facility in the state be screened for a fever, as that’s one of the key symptoms of COVID-19. Some city and county officials in the state have been asking the governor to issue a statewide “stay at home” order, but she says the data does not indicate that move is necessary at this point.