(Radio Iowa) — Iowa again ranks among the best states in the country for motorists, according to a report from a personal finance website. Adrian Garcia, a data analyst for Bankrate-dot-com, says they compared things like annual insurance premiums, road conditions and commute times in all 50 states. “Bankrate looked at seven different measures related to cost as well as driving quality and safety,” Garcia says. “We used the most recent data we could find from government sources, research organizations and industry groups.” The reports are done every two years. In this latest report, Iowa placed 2nd in the national rankings, up from 3rd in 2016.

“Despite all the investment in public transportation as well as services like Uber and Lyft, a lot of us are still getting behind the wheel to drive,” Garcia says. “That’s the most popular way people are still commuting throughout the country. It really makes a difference if you are driving in an Iowa or Nebraska versus a California, Florida or New York.”  The average Iowa driver pays about a thousand dollars a year for car insurance, while the average California driver pays 17-hundred. Likewise, commute times in Iowa average 19 minutes versus 29 minutes in California, which ranked 50th on the list. “Living in Nebraska or Iowa, the states that rank near the top of the list, you can feel good about your commute,” Garcia says. “Although you may sometimes be frustrated, generally, it’s better than living in California or New Jersey when it comes to being on the roads.”

The report finds 11-percent of Iowa’s roads are of poor quality, compared to last-place California where 44-percent of the roads are in poor shape. The best state for drivers, according to the report, is North Dakota, followed by Iowa, Ohio, Minnesota and Nebraska. The worst state is California, followed by Hawaii, Connecticut, New Jersey and Washington.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The city of Des Moines is paying $800,000 to settle an excessive force lawsuit filed by a northeast Iowa man against two police officers and the city. The City Council approved the payment Monday to settle the civil lawsuit but the amount was undisclosed. The Associated Press confirmed it Wednesday with City Manager Scott Sanders. It will be paid by Des Moines taxpayers out of the city’s general fund.

A federal jury last month found officer Michael Fong and Sgt. Greg Wessels used excessive force and committed battery when they attacked Dustin Burnikel in downtown Des Moines in 2013. The jury awarded Burnikel $200,000 for damages, including physical and mental pain and medical expenses, and was to consider liability of the city for failure to properly train and supervise the officers when the city offered to settle the case.

Sanders says the settlement covers damages, attorney fees and costs and avoids further potential damages and additional legal fees. The officers remain with the police department.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports one person was hurt during a collision Tuesday afternoon. Janet Scuturio, of Corning, a passenger in her vehicle driven by 16-year old Ronnie Collins, also of Corning, was transported by Stanton Rescue to the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The accident happened at around 3:25-p.m. Authorities say a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix owned by Shelly Graham, of Stanton, and driven by 16-year old Slade Graham, also of Stanton, was stopped at the northbound stop sign at O Avenue and Highway 34. As the teen proceeded northbound, he noticed a 2002 Ford Taurus driven by Ronnie Collins, traveling east on Highway 34.

When the Grand Prix’ brakes failed, the car rolled into the path of the Taurus, and was struck broadside. Damage from the collision amounted to $7,000. Montgomery County Deputies were assisted at the scene by Stanton and Red Oak Fire, Stanton Rescue, and the Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency. No citations were issued.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — A Waterloo brother and sister have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to arrange a sham marriage so he wouldn’t have to leave the United States. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that Selmir Salkanovic and his sister, Salena Dedic pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids to conspiracy to commit marriage fraud. Their sentencings have not been scheduled. Court records say Salkanovic is a Bosnian who overstayed his tourist visa. He’d promised to leave the country in June last year but instead, with his sister’s help, married a U.S. citizen after making a $5,000 deal with her.

Federal law lets immigrants who marry U.S. citizens receive conditional residency status, which can lead to citizenship. The records say Salkanovic and the woman never consummated the marriage and never lived together. It’s unclear whether the woman’s been charged.

(Radio Iowa) — Negotiations are starting between unions representing state employees and representatives of Governor Kim Reynolds’ Administration. The current labor contracts for state workers expire July 1st. AFSCME Council 61 represents nearly 20-thousand state employees. The union is scheduled to present its contract proposal on Thursday. The union that represents about 600 people who work in state law enforcement agencies is asking for three-percent pay hikes in each of the next two years. Negotiators for the State Police Officers Council say with low unemployment in the state, it’s difficult to keep and attract employees who’ll work in such a high-stress profession. Iowa United Professionals represents about 24-hundred state employees who work in social services and scientific occupations. That union says after two years of zero wage growth for its members, their request is for a four-and-a-half percent pay hike in each of the next two years.

Negotiators representing the Reynolds Administration will make a counter-offer in two weeks.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Department reports a woman wanted on a warrant for Violation of Parole, turned herself-in to the Sheriff’s Office, Tuesday afternoon. Once the warrant for 56-year old Dawn Michelle Rickabaugh, of Mitchellville, was confirmed, the woman was taken into custody and turned over to Jail staff without incident. Rickabaugh was being held without bond in the Pott. County Jail.

(Updated) — The Creston Police Department reports 35-year old Beth Kulow, of Creston, was arrested Tuesday at the Union County Law Enforcement Center. Kulow, the former Dean of Students at Southwestern Community College, in Creston, was taken into custody on a Union County warrants for charges that include Falsifying Public Documents, and three counts of Theft in the 2nd Degree. She was later released on a $5,000 bond. The charges were the result of a lengthy investigation into finances at SWCC. Kulow is accused of approving the use of school funds for private expenses including travel and her wedding. She resigned from her position in October.

A Winterset man reported to Creston Police, Tuesday, that his Aunt had cash taken from her purse while she was at a location on W. Prairie Street. The incident, which amounted to a loss of about $100, occurred sometime between Dec. 2nd and Dec. 4th. And, a Creston man reported to Police Tuesday morning, that sometime between Nov. 29th and Dec. 3rd, someone broke into his shop located in the 600 block of W. Montgomery Street, and took several tools. The loss was estimated at $2,000.

CEDAR RIVER, Iowa (AP) — A Cedar Rapids woman who drove her car with her two children inside into the Cedar River on a chilly March evening has been given probation. Linn County court records say 35-year-old Alicia Cole pleaded guilty to two felony counts of child endangerment causing injury. She was sentenced Tuesday to three years of probation and two five-year prison terms that were suspended. The judge also suspended a total of $1,500 in fines.

Authorities say firefighters and police were sent to Cedar Rapids’ Mohawk Park around 4:45 p.m. on March 11. They found that boaters already had helped Cole and the two children from the sinking car. A court document says all three “were exposed to potential hypothermia and drowning.”