MANCHESTER, Iowa (AP) — A man who authorities say shot at his landlord and a police officer has been arrested in eastern Iowa’s Delaware County. Court records say Kenneth Noble is charged with attempted murder. Police say a landlord in Manchester had asked for an officer to stand by while the landlord entered an apartment Thursday to make repairs. Police say Noble was inside, and he shot at the landlord. Police say he missed but then shot at and missed the officer, who fired back and also missed. Noble soon was taken into custody.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A new survey of bankers in rural parts of 10 Plains and Western states suggests they’re optimistic about the economy over the next few months. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the Rural Mainstreet Survey, and he says the signings of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement and the China trade agreement have boosted economic confidence across the region. The overall February survey index declined, however, to 51.6.

Organizers say scores above 50 suggest a growing economy, while scores below 50 indicate a shrinking economy. Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming were surveyed.

(Radio Iowa) — Republicans on a Senate committee have voted to place new limits in medical malpractice cases that involve the death of a patient. A bill that cleared a Senate committee this week would set 750-thousand dollars as the new cap on so-called “non-economic” damages that a family, children or spouses could receive. Senator Zach Whiting, a Republican from Spirit Lake, says these are the kind of intangible losses that are commonly referred to as “pain and suffering.” “There’s a concern, particularly in the medical community, that uncapped non-economic damages could have a negative impact on access to care for Iowans….as a physician may no longer see a high-risk patient,” Whiting says. “…They may no longer offer high-risk or cutting-edge procedures.”

Critics say the bill is unfair to families who’ve lost a loved one due to a medical mistake. Senator Rob Hogg, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, voted against the bill in committee. “If you pass this bill and it becomes law, you will take away from the jury the right to say that when medical professionals just totally screw up and kill somebody…recovery is limited to $750,000,” Hogg said.

In 2017, the Republican-led Iowa legislature enacted a 250-thousand dollar limit for emotional pain and suffering damage awards when health care providers are found liable for medical negligence. However, that “cap” or limit does not apply if a patient dies.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A March trial has been scheduled for a man suspected of killing a 74-year-old Davenport resident. Nineteen-year-old Charlie Gary III has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder. Gary also faces robbery and burglary counts in the death of Robert Long, whose body was found by police on Jan. 7 inside his Davenport home. The trial starting date of March 16 was set Thursday. Police have said Gary admitted to investigators that he broke into Long’s home and strangled the older man.

BURLINGTON, Iowa (The Hawk Eye) — Another defendant in a southeast Iowa slaying has been acquitted of first-degree murder but convicted of assault causing serious injury and of conspiracy to commit murder. The Hawk Eye reported that the verdicts were handed up Thursday on Chicago resident Caesar Davison. He was one of five men charged with killing Demarcus “Peanut” Chew on Sept. 10, 2017, outside his mother’s apartment in Burlington.

Andre Harris and Derrick Parker have been sentenced to 15 years, and Antoine Spann was given 20 years. Emmanuel Spann was found guilty earlier this month of first-degree murder and conspiracy and is facing a life sentence.