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

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Senate Republicans appear set on approving more than $1 billion in annual tax cuts to the state without explaining how they plan to pay for it. GOP lawmakers in the chamber are advancing legislation that would include reducing corporate income taxes and individual income taxes. The sweeping bill also would eliminate some tax credits, rework sales tax collections and mirror parts of the federal tax system.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Lawmakers in the Iowa Senate have approved a bill that would ban most abortions at the first detectable fetal heartbeat. The Republican-controlled chamber voted 30-20 Wednesday along party lines in support of the so-called heartbeat bill. The chamber’s lone independent lawmaker also voted for the legislation. A heartbeat can be detected as early as 6 weeks of pregnancy. The legislation would only allow abortions at a later period to save a pregnant woman’s life.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A judge has set a trial date for a lawsuit filed by a former state official who alleges he was pressured by former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad to resign because of his sexual orientation. A judge on Wednesday set aside four weeks beginning Jan. 14 for the lawsuit filed by Chris Godfrey. He accuses the state of discrimination based on sexual orientation and retaliation, and of violating his constitutional due process guarantees.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Federal prosecutors say a western Iowa farmer has pleaded guilty in a tax fraud case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa says 64-year-old Kurt Neldeberg, of Whiting, pleaded guilty Wednesday to making a false and fraudulent tax return. Prosecutors say he failed to report more than $315,000 in farm income from 2009 through 2012 and filed false tax returns.

Members of the Atlantic Education Association, representing the Certified staff, and Atlantic Employees Association, representing the Non-Certified staff, presented their initial bargaining proposals today (Wednesday), to the Atlantic School Board. The Board, in-turn, presented it proposals, as well.

Joanne Runyon and Mike McDermott spoke on behalf of the Education Association. Runyon said they are proposing a three-percent increase on the base, including step and lane, in the amount of $1,051. The TSS (Teacher Salary Supplement) payment remains the same. The current Base pay on the Master Contract is $35,049. The increase was based in-part, on Atlantic’s base pay as compared to other schools in the Hawkeye 10 Conference. Atlantic is ranked 9th in Base dollars for 2017-18.

The Base salary determines a hiring base, according to Runyon, who said also “If we are to continue to remain competitive, one needs to take a look at that.” The Education Association also asked for increases in: the Activity Sponsor for Archery from one, to two sponsor/coaches, each of whom would be paid 2.42%, or $1,046, based on the current contract; They also requested the Middle School Student Council be increased from the current 2% to 5.5% because they are more active than in the past; the Middle School Yearbook they requested be increase from the current zero percent, to 2-percent. The person who is in charge of that has not been paid in the past, and they are going “above and beyond” the duties of her classroom time; And, Head School Cross Country – there is a requested increase from the current 8.32% to $3,616 to 10.19%.

The Atlantic Board of Directors, conversely, proposed freezing the salary schedule for 2018-19, and that each full-time employee receive a $100, one-time payment. And, that Permissives for: TSS Calulation in Salary Schedule; a Column of the schedule referencing percentages tied to BA, Step 6 (for each position), be deleted.

The Atlantic Employees Association, represented by Andrea Halterman, requested an overall 40-cent per hour increase to the base pay, and she said the Transportation staff has expressed an increase in being paid bi-weekly, rather than monthly, and the Transportation Support Staff proposed a 50-cent per hour increase per hour, for wait time pay (associated with events where they must wait in the bus or vehicle for students to return). The would mean $11.00 per hour, instead of $10.50.

For its part, the District proposed no changes to the salary schedule for 2018-19, but that each eligible employee moves a step on the salary schedule. Additional meetings are planned between the entities, but no firm date for the next session, was set.

In other business, the Atlantic School Board Wednesday night, also approved the resignation of Assistant High School Principal/Athletic Director Matt Alexander, who has accepted the Superintendent’s position for the OA-BCIG School District, effective July 1st.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Senate Republicans appear set on approving more than $1 billion in annual tax cuts to the state without explaining how they plan to pay for it.

GOP lawmakers in the chamber are advancing legislation that would include reducing corporate income taxes and individual income taxes. The sweeping bill also would eliminate some tax credits, rework sales tax collections and mirror parts of the federal tax system.

Senate Republicans have scheduled a floor vote for the bill Wednesday, one week after releasing the proposal publicly. It would then head to the House, where its future is uncertain.

GOP Gov. Kim Reynolds has proposed a separate bill that would cut $1.7 billion in taxes over several years. A House panel is scheduled to review that bill Thursday.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Federal prosecutors say a western Iowa farmer has pleaded guilty in a tax fraud case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa says 64-year-old Kurt Neldeberg, of Whiting, pleaded guilty Wednesday to making a false and fraudulent tax return.

Prosecutors say he failed to report more than $315,000 in farm income from 2009 through 2012 and filed false tax returns.

Neldeberg faces up to three years in prison and a $250,000 fine when he’s sentenced at a later date. He will also be required to pay the taxes due on the unreported income.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is declining to comment on whether the Iowa Legislature should enact new gun regulations in response to a mass shooting in Florida. Reynolds said Wednesday when asked about the issue: “I’m not saying yes. I’m not saying no.”

A 19-year-old is accused of fatally shooting 17 people at a school in Parkland, Florida, on Feb. 14. Authorities have since revealed the alleged gunman had an extensive record of warning signs. The Republican governor says it’s important to ensure current systems for addressing public safety issues are working. Reynolds says she’s asked Iowa agencies to review existing policies. She says it’s not clear whether that will lead to legislation because possible changes may not require it.

Reynolds’ response to the shooting has included highlighting mental health. The GOP-controlled Legislature is considering legislation to expand mental health services.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports a Clarinda man was arrested this (Wednesday) morning, for allegedly Attempting to Entice a Minor. 40-year-old Rodney Adams Jr. was arrested as the result of an investigation that concluded at the Casey’s Store in Villisca. His arrest happened at around 8-a.m. Adams was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $2,000 cash bond.

A school bus accident this (Wednesday) morning in southern Iowa’s Decatur County injured the school bus driver and three students. The Iowa State Patrol reports the 2008 Thomas School Bus driven by 31-year old Bruce Wayne Miller, of Leon, was traveling on 215th Street, about one-quarter of a mile north of County Road J-20 at around 7:47-a.m., when the bus ran off the road to the right. Miller over-corrected, sending the bus to the left, and into a corn field, where it came to rest. The students, ages 18, 15- and a minor child, were transported to the Decatur County Hospital.

The 15-year old was taken to the hospital by their parents, the 18-year old and the other child were transported by ambulance. Miller was taken to the hospital by Leon Police. None of the injured wore seat belts.