Today (Saturday) is “National Prescription Drug Take Back Day”, and state health and safety officials encourage you to check for unused drugs in your medicine cabinet. The Associate Director of the Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy, Dale Woolery, says getting rid of the prescription drugs properly can help cut abuse.

“More and more are being prescribed and used, and that means there are more leftovers. And so, its spring, it’s a great opportunity to clean out the medicine cabinet and take back those unneeded medicines,” Woolery says. “Because that is the number one source of medications that get abuse. We have a growing opioid abuse and overdose problem in this state and in the country.” The pain killers know as opioid are one of the biggest concerns.

“Nationwide now we see 78 people dying every day of opioid overdoses,” according to Woolery. “So, it’s really important, this is one way all of us can help to reduce the opioid abuse problem — that’s getting rid of our unused medicines.” Woolery spoke Friday in front of a container set up in the lobby of the public safety building where people can bring in unused prescription drugs.

“This is the 11th semi-annual one-day effort where for four hours [today] twice a year, Iowans an other Americans have had an opportunity to take back their medications, “Woolery says. “But here in Iowa and elsewhere, we are trying to make it easier for everyone to take back their meds, so that you don’t have to hold onto them for six months. Statewide right now we have 82 permanent take back kiosks. Most of those are in local law enforcement centers, some are in pharmacies.”

More than 100 Iowa sites are signed up to participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, most from 10:00 a-m until 2:00 p-m today. “It’s a no questions asked, just bring them in and dump then in the collection box. We would suggest that you take your name or identification off of them just to be safe,” Woolery says. You can find Saturday Take Back sites, permanent Take Back locations, educational materials and other related information at: odcp.iowa.gov/rxtakebacks.

Over the last ten National Prescription Drug Take Back Days, Iowans have safely disposed of nearly 30 tons of obsolete prescription drugs, or about three tons during each one-day event. According to the DEA, approximately 27-hundred-63 tons or five-point-five million pounds-of unused medicines have been collected nationally since the start of the Take Back campaign in 2010.

(Radio Iowa)

The 2016 Iowa legislative session is history. So, how could new state laws change your life? If you live in an apartment or rental home, your landlord must install a carbon monoxide detector. That’s because legislators passed a law requiring carbon monoxide alarms in existing rentals, plus any new home, apartment or condo that’s built after July 1st of 2018.

If you’re in prison on a non-violent drug conviction, you might be released early if Governor Branstad approves a bill legislators passed this week. If you want to have a silencer or suppressor on your gun, that is now legal in Iowa. There were a host of other issues legislators discussed this past year, but never wound up making law. Iowa’s medical marijuana law was not expanded.

The speed limit on Iowa interstates was not raised. Cell phone use while driving was not outlawed. You still cannot win the big prizes in fantasy sports leagues. And all those backyard fireworks displays are still illegal.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:10 a.m. CDT

WATERLOO – An Amber Alert issued just after 12-a.m. Saturday for a 15-year old black female allegedly abducted by 3 armed black men, was cancelled at 2:50-a.m. today. No other details are immediately available on the circumstances surrounding the cancellation.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Legislature has adjourned its 2016 session with agreement over a roughly $7.35 billion budget, following days of private meetings that ultimately stopped an attempt by GOP lawmakers to remove state funding for Planned Parenthood. Members of the Democratic-controlled Senate and Republican-majority House sent remaining bills to Gov. Terry Branstad for approval.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Des Moines police have arrested a 15-year-old boy in connection to the fatal shooting of another teenager. Police announced Friday that they have charged the Des Moines resident with first-degree murder in the Wednesday shooting death of 17-year-old Kendall Foster. Authorities did not release the name of the suspect. Officers found Foster with a gunshot wound in his chest. He later died at a hospital.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Investigators are looking into an unusual claim of jury tampering in a high-stakes medical malpractice trial in which University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics recently avoided millions in damages. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Department is looking into allegations raised in a letter sent to the court last month.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) — Fire crews spent hours trying to contain a fire that destroyed a Cedar Falls Chinese restaurant. Firefighters responded Friday morning to a fire at the Great Wall restaurant near the University of Northern Iowa campus. No one was injured in the fire. Officials say the blaze was started in the kitchen by a cooking appliance, which caused flames to spread up a ventilation shaft. The restaurant’s roof collapsed just after noon.

An Amber Alert that was issued in Iowa at 12:06-a.m. today (Saturday), was cancelled at 2:52-a.m.  Earlier, authorities in eastern Iowa had said a 15-year old black female, Shakiya Kay Baker, from Waterloo, was abducted by three black males armed with guns.

No other details were immediately available on the circumstances surrounding the cancellation of the Amber Alert. There are currently NO active Amber Alerts in effect, in Iowa.

An Amber Alert that had been issued Thursday for a 17-year old white female and her alleged abductor, was cancelled shortly before 5:30 p.m. Friday, when the missing teen, Dominique Lloyd, and the suspect, 24-year old Michael Brad Knuth, were located in Tennessee.

Authorities in eastern Iowa have issued an Amber Alert. The alert was issued at 12:06 -a.m. Sat., April 30th, following the alleged abduction from Waterloo, of a 15-year old black female by three black males armed with guns.

The victim was described as being 5-feet 2-inches tall, weighing 190-pounds. She wore a white, zippered shirt, black stretch pants and shiny, silver shoes. No other description of the suspects was available.

The girl and the three suspects are believed to be traveling in a light green or white conversion van with a green stripe, late 1990′ to early 2000’s model. Unknown direction of travel. License plate unknown. The incident happened at around 11pm Friday.

If you have any information about the vehicle, suspects or victim, call 9-1-1, or the Waterloo Police at 319-291-2515.

Firefighters from Avoca, Hancock, Harlan and Shelby were called to the AHST Elementary School in Avoca, at 768 S. Maple Street, Friday afternoon. The departments were dispatched at around 3:45-p.m., after automatic fire detection equipment alerted authorities, and smoke or haze was seen in a classroom.

Firefighters detected the smell of burning wiring, but were unable to locate a source. NO flames were ever seen, and no damage or injuries was reported. An electrical contractor was asked to inspect the electric system at the school.

The Red Oak Police Department arrested a Red Oak woman on Friday at 12:48pm.  Officers arrested 24-year-old Danielle Lynette Archer at 2400 N 8th Street in Red Oak on an active Montgomery County Warrant for Violation of Probation.  Archer was taken to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $2,000 cash bond.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Research from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that southern mosquitoes could travel to Iowa this summer, but state experts don’t expect them to be a major carrier of the Zika virus.

The Des Moines Register reports that recently released maps from the federal agency show Iowa in the range of one of two mosquito species believed to carry the virus, which can cause severe birth defects. The maps show the Aedes aegypti species petering out in Missouri, but the Aedes albopictus mosquito could extend through Iowa and into southern Minnesota.

Iowa Department of Public Health’s medical director Patricia Quinlisk says the albopictus are believed to be much less likely to carry the virus. She doesn’t expect to see a major threat of transmission from mosquitoes in Iowa.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa lawmakers say they’ve reached an agreement on the budget that will keep state funding for Planned Parenthood, and the tentative deal is expected to be a breakthrough leading to adjournment.

A woman from Des Moines wanted on Page County warrants for Trespassing and Conspiracy to commit a non-forcible felony, turned herself-in this (Friday) morning. 30-year old Charlene Lynn Chaney, appeared at the sheriff’s office at around 8:30-a.m., was processed and booked, then later released on $5,000 bond, pending further court proceedings.

Charlene Chaney