EARLY, Iowa (AP) — A 21-year-old Iowa man has pleaded not guilty to charges of killing his mother and kidnapping another woman. The Sioux City Journal reports Kirk Levin submitted a written plea Monday. He faces charges of first-degree murder and third-degree kidnapping. Prosecutors say Levin repeatedly stabbed his mother, Marilyn Schmitt, at her farmhouse in Early on Jan. 3. They say he then kidnapped a 21-year-old woman who he tied up and put in the trunk of a car. The woman escaped after Levin drove into a ditch.

Levin had been released from prison days earlier after serving time for burglary charges. Gov. Terry Branstad’s spokesman has defended the state’s release of Levin.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

Police in Council Bluffs Police said Monday, one person was arrested in connection with an alleged attempted kidnapping. Authorities say 20-year old Nathan Busse of Council Bluffs allegedly attempted to kidnap an unidentified 10-year old girl. The victim was at Edison School finishing her duty as a crossing guard, when Busse approached her.

Busse reportedly asked the girl  “What’s up,” before grabbing her by the arm and forcing her to start walking with him. Police say the victim struggled while Busse told her “It’s OK.” She was finally able to break free after a brief struggle and ran to a family member who was there to pick her up.

Busse left the area but was located a short distance away by the victim’s father, who was able to detain the man until police arrived. After questioning, Busse was arrested on charges of Kidnapping/3rd Degree, Assault with intent to commit sexual abuse, Enticing a minor, and Child stealing. He remained in the Pottawattamie County Jail Monday evening.

Officials with the Stuart Police Department have released additional information on a stabbing incident which occurred Saturday. Authorities say on the morning of January 26th, Stuart Police responded to a report of a male subject that had been stabbed. While investigating the stabbing, officers discovered a stolen handgun and other stolen property. The victim of the stabbing, James Block, was transported to Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines with injuries. He later left the hospital before officers could speak with him.

Sean Ward was arrested in connection with the stabbing and felon in possession of a firearm. Wynter Hudson and Sarah Clendaniel who were both present at the stabbing were arrested for possession of stolen property. While investigating the stabbing it was discovered that James Block had poured gasoline on Ward and attempted to light Ward on fire with a lighter before the stabbing had occurred.

Stuart Officers later served search warrants at three separate residences. While searching a residence in Stuart additional items of stolen property were recovered. While searching a residence in Earlham, officers discovered five stolen rifles including an “SKS” assault rifle, a stolen handgun and various other items of stolen property. Cory Daugherty was arrested at the Earlham residence for felon in possession of a firearm, possession of stolen property, and drug related charges.

The recovered property and firearms were linked to a home burglary in Stuart on January, 24th, 2013. Officers recovered a total of six rifles, two handguns and various other stolen items. The total value of the items was estimated at over $5,000. Additional charges have been filed in this case relating to the burglary, and trafficking of the stolen firearms.

In an update to our story early Monday morning, the Atlantic Police Department late Monday afternoon said at around 3:30-a.m., officers with the A-PD responded to an area behind 1011 Birch Street after receiving a call about a fight in progress . Upon arrival, officers found several subjects in the area and fleeing the scene.

Soon thereafter, they discovered 43-year old Robert Leslie of Atlantic suffering from puncture and slashing wounds.  The man was taken to Cass County Hospital for treatment and remained hospitalized Monday evening.

Two suspects were taken into custody at the scene, while a third person was arrested later, following the execution of a search warrant at 900 Hickory Street, in Atlantic. The individuals arrested were identified as  18-year old Bryce Baker, 21-year old Austin Nelson and 23-year old Mykel Thorn, all of Atlantic. Each of the suspects has been charged with Felony willful injury, and going armed with intent. All three have been booked into the Cass County Jail.

The incident remains under investigation and additional charges are possible.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office responded to an accident on Friday, January 25th around 11:oo P.M. The accident occurred on 320th Street near Goldfinch Avenue. Thirty-six year old Ezra Sedina of Atlantic was traveling westbound on 320th Street when he lost control of his 2007 Chevy Impala and entered the north ditch. Sedina and his passenger, 26-year old Justin Knutsen of Atlantic both refused medical treatment at the scene. Sedina later requested medical treatment and was transported to the Audubon County Memorial Hospital by Audubon Rescue. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $3,000. The accident remains under investigation.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A top education aide to Gov. Terry Branstad says a major cost in the governor’s education plan is providing bonuses to experienced teachers who take on more responsibilities.   Iowa Department of Education Director Jason Glass said Monday that it will cost the state $46 million to give stipends to senior teachers who take on tasks like mentoring.

Branstad’s education reform plan also raises minimum teacher salaries from $28,000 to $35,000. The Education Department estimates that would likely cost about $5.5 million.      Another $96 million would go to districts to be used for teacher expenses related to the proposal. The money would be allocated on a per-student basis, meaning the most funding would go to the Des Moines Independent School District, the largest in the state.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – State officials are resending tax forms to 15,000 Iowa Medicaid providers due to an error.  The Des Moines Register reports officials with the Iowa Department of Administrative Services mailed 1099 tax forms last week with the wrong tax identification numbers. A letter mailed Friday says officials will send corrected versions to 15,000 Medicaid providers affected by the error.

An agency spokesman says the error happened during data sorting in the print-to-mail process. The newspaper reports officials weren’t available Monday to discuss the cost of fixing the error.    Two separate forms will be mailed to providers. The first form zeros out monetary values and the second form is the corrected version. A 1099 is a tax form for an independent contractor that shows how much they made from a business.

The Atlantic Police Department reports the arrest Friday of an Adair man on four charges. 33-year old James Block was taken into custody for Public Intoxication, Interference with Official Acts, Disorderly Conduct, and on two counts of Theft in the 5th Degree. Block was being held in the Cass County Jail pending a court appearance.

Authorities in Montgomery County report the arrest this (Monday) morning, of a Red Oak man on a burglary charge. 21-year old Cody Keen Blystone, who was already in the Montgomery County Jail on a charge of 3^rd degree burglary, was hit with additional charges that include three counts of forgery and three counts of possession of stolen property. His bond was set at $5,000.