DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — As the Iowa Legislature rushes to pass a bill to remove funding for Planned Parenthood, some health clinics that could see an increase in patients say they haven’t heard anything about a new state-run family planning program that could take effect within months.

The GOP-backed legislation flew through the Senate on Thursday and now moves to the House. The bill hinges on rejecting millions in federal Medicaid dollars in order to eliminate state funding for Planned Parenthood.

Republican lawmakers contend the new program will allow more rural health clinics to offer family planning services. However, representatives for some of those facilities say they’re not familiar with the state’s plans. While some clinics say they’re capable of helping more patients, they are confused about how the new system would work.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Attorneys for nine patients have filed a lawsuit against Iowa Methodist Medical Center, blaming the hospital for a pharmacy tech’s theft of potent painkillers from hundreds of vials. The Des Moines Register reports that the lawsuit accuses the hospital of being negligent in its supervision of the pharmacy tech who stole fentanyl and Dilaudid during a six-week period last year.

SANDYVILLE, Iowa (AP) — Animal torture and other charges have been filed against a woman after several dead, injured and neglected dogs were found on property she rented. The Warren County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release Saturday that Lindsay Morrow with five counts of animal torture and 22 counts of animal neglect, as well as theft, fraud and ongoing criminal conduct. The Animal Rescue League of Iowa says 19 living dogs and three dead dogs were removed Wednesday and Thursday from the property.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A Sioux City man charged with stabbing a man to death during an argument last year will have his new trial moved out of Sioux City. The Sioux City Journal reports that a judge granted 48-year-old Elias Wanatee’s request for a change of venue, citing pretrial publicity. Wanatee’s first trial ended in a mistrial in December. Wanatee is charged with first-degree murder in the Feb. 17, 2016, stabbing death of 50-year-old Vernon Mace.

OSAGE, Iowa (AP) — An Osage man accused of selling fake iPhones has been charged with felony ongoing criminal conduct and misdemeanor theft. The Mason City Globe Gazette reports that 35-year-old Reed Barclay was charged earlier this week after police say Barclay sold a woman a fake iPhone for $300. She learned it was a knock-off when she took the phone to her cell service provider and was told the phone’s serial number didn’t match the one on the box.

Red Oak Police Saturday afternoon, arrested a man on charges that include Assault on a Peace Officer, Disorderly Conduct, and Criminal Mischief in the 5th Degree (Vandalism). 24-year old Dylan James Hambright, of Red Oak, was taken into custody at around 2:45-p.m. in the 1100 block of N. 1st Street. Hambright was brought to the Montgomery County Jail and held on a $1,000 bond.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — A Waterloo woman has been charged with child endangerment after a toddler was treated for smoke inhalation after a fire at her mobile home. Cedar Rapids television station KCRG reports police arrested 29-year-old Brenna Folkers earlier this week.

First responders reported they found a toddler covered in soot when they responded to the fire. The toddler was taken to a hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation. Investigators say a propane torch believed to be used to light cigarettes, hash oil and marijuana likely started the fire. Folkers is free on a $2,000 bond.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A Sioux City man charged with stabbing a man to death during an argument last year will have his new trial moved out of Sioux City. The Sioux City Journal reports that a judge granted 48-year-old Elias Wanatee’s request for a change of venue, citing pretrial publicity. The judge said he would choose by Monday where Wanatee’s new trial, set to begin Feb. 28, will be held.

Wanatee’s first trial ended in a mistrial in December after jurors said they couldn’t reach a unanimous verdict. Wanatee is charged with first-degree murder in the Feb. 17, 2016, stabbing death of 50-year-old Vernon Mace, who was stabbed nine times.

There were no eyewitnesses, and police never found the weapon. Defense attorney Jason Dunn has suggested that Wanatee acted in self-defense.

SANDYVILLE, Iowa (AP) — Animal torture and other charges have been filed against a woman after several dead, injured and neglected dogs were found on property she rented. The Warren County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release Saturday that Lindsay Morrow with five counts of animal torture and 22 counts of animal neglect, as well as theft, fraud and ongoing criminal conduct.

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa says 19 living dogs and three dead dogs were removed Wednesday and Thursday from property in south-central Iowa that Morrow rented. The group is treating and hoping to find homes for most of the dogs rescued. The group said Saturday that Lindsay described herself on a website as the director of a “no-kill” group called “Bully Breed Miracle Network and Rescue.”

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Attorneys for nine patients have filed a lawsuit against Iowa Methodist Medical Center, blaming the hospital for a pharmacy tech’s theft of potent painkillers from hundreds of vials. The Des Moines Register reports that the lawsuit accuses the hospital of being negligent in its supervision of the pharmacy tech who stole fentanyl and Dilaudid during a six-week period last year.

The hospital contacted more than 700 patients last October after learning of the tampering, fearing the patients might not have received full doses of the drugs. The attorneys say there are 185 former patients whose pain medication was diluted who are willing to take their cases to court and expect more to sue in the coming weeks.

Hospital spokeswoman Amy Varcoe denied several allegations in the lawsuit Friday.

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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New data indicates Iowans, in general, are earning more income — but the growth rate is modest. The Pew Charitable Trust released a “Fiscal 50” report on all the states, tracking a wide variety of data. The report shows Iowans’ personal income grew six-tenths of a percent in the past year. That’s about the national average.

The report shows Iowa has a greater share of its population in the workforce than most any other state. Nationally, about 78 percent of adults who’re under the age of 55 are working. In Iowa, 86 percent of the people in that “prime working age” category ARE working.

Like 32 other states, the Pew report found tax payments to the State of Iowa declined last year. However, the report found the State of Iowa has enough cash in reserve that the state could operate for 45 days on that cash reserve alone.

(Radio Iowa)

The area’s top news at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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