DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A House panel in the Iowa Legislature has given initial approval of a bill that would remove the age limit for children to use a handgun under the supervision of a parent. A House Judiciary subcommittee agreed Monday to send the legislation forward to its full committee. A similar measure last session had little support in the Democratic-controlled Senate.

The bill would allow a child of any age to possess a pistol or revolver under direct supervision of a parent or guardian. Current law requires the child to be at least 14 years old. State law has no age limit for a minor to possess a rifle or shotgun if there is consent from a parent or guardian. Several bills in the House this session propose expanding gun rights.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The head of Iowa’s Medicaid program says she’s “very confident” the $4.2 billion system will be ready for private management on March 1, though some lawmakers expressed lingering concerns. Mikki Stier from the Iowa Department of Human Services told lawmakers Monday her confidence comes from more signups of Medicaid health providers and better communication to Medicaid recipients about the switch.

The state’s Medicaid program provides care to some low-income people, children and disabled individuals. Three private companies are scheduled to take over the program amid growing criticism from some lawmakers that the new setup needs better state oversight.

Stier told lawmakers about 45 percent of Medicaid service providers have signed up with all three private insurers. Some lawmakers on the Senate Human Resources Committee said the number should be higher.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The debate over K-12 education spending in the Iowa Legislature has begun to take shape with a set of procedural votes.The Republican-controlled House voted Monday for legislation that would set a new growth rate for basic aid to schools in the fiscal year that begins in July. The bill now heads to the Democratic-majority Senate, where lawmakers have indicated the proposed increase is not adequate to properly support school districts.

The chambers are expected to go back and forth with procedural votes before the issue is debated through special legislative meetings. K-12 education takes up about $3 billion of the state’s roughly $7 billion budget. Gov. Terry Branstad has proposed a growth rate that is lower than what Democrats want, but also higher than what is supported by Republicans.

Authorities in western Iowa said Monday (today), a Montgomery County man was sentenced last week on Child Pornography charges. 61-year old Mark A. Yeager, of rural Emerson,, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Stephanie Rose to 36 months in prison for possession of child pornography. Yeager was ordered to serve 10 years of supervised release following his prison term and to pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

According to court documents, Yeager pled guilty to the charge on September 1, 2015. In a plea agreement, on April 16th, 2014, investigators seized several computers and items of computer paraphernalia from Yeager’s residence. A forensic examination revealed images of child pornography on a thumb-drive seized from Yeager’s home.

The matter was investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Iowa Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

Area police departments are reporting roads have become slippery this afternoon due to freezing drizzle or rain. Authorities in Guthrie and Montgomery County were reporting slick conditions as of 3-p.m.  Although the Iowa DOT’s website 511ia.org shows most roads are in “Normal” winter driving condition, Highway 34 west of Highway 59, Interstate 29 from Council Bluffs. Highway 275 and Highway 2, west of Highway 59, were reported to be partially covered with snow.

Beware of black ice on the roads and sidewalks. Conditions are expected to deteriorate as the evening wears on.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports three arrests took place Friday. 24-year old  Christain Michael Collins, of Lewis, was arrested after he turned himself in at the Cass County Jail on an Atlantic Police Department warrant for OWI 1st Offense. Collins was booked into the jail and later released on $1,000 bond.

19-year old Patrick Lee Schultz, of Atlantic, was arrested Friday on a Cass County Sheriff’s Office warrant for Felony Theft in the 2nd Degree. Schultz was taken to the Cass County Jail and was released later that day on $5,000 bond.

And, 19-year old Logan Roger Dean Nielsen, of Atlantic, was arrested Jan. 22nd on a District Court warrant for Probation Violation. Nielsen was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released later that day on $1,000 bond.

The Sac City Police Department reports a Sac City man was arrested following an investigation into an alleged incident of domestic assault and animal abuse. Officers were called to an apartment in Sac City Jan. 13th, where 25-year old Cody Anthony Dupre and a 17-year old female reside.

Following their investigation, officers arrested Dupre Jan. 19th on a Sac County warrant charging him with Domestic Assault/1st offense, for allegedly assaulting the 17 year old female, and two counts of Animal Abuse, after it was discovered Dupre allegedly threw an 8 month old puppy and a Chinchilla against the wall, killing both animals.

Dupre was booked into the Sac County Jail where he was being held without bond on the Domestic Abuse charge, to which he has plead Not Guilty. Dupre was also ordered to have no contact with his alleged victim. His preliminary hearing was set for Feb. 9th.

A traffic stop Friday night near Brayton resulted in the arrest of a Kansas man on drug charges. The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office says 23-year Nicholas David Tenbrink, of Berrytown, KS., was arrested at around 9:40-p.m. on charges that include Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Deliver, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Tenbrink was later released from custody after appearing before the Magistrate.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Law enforcement and gun dealers say that they are seeing a rise in gun sales and applications for carry permits in Iowa. The Des Moines Register reports that the National Instant Criminal Background Check System says Iowa had 25,941 firearm background checks conducted in December 2015, more than in any other month last year.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Department says it saw about 1,000 more gun carry permit applications than usual last month. Woodbury County Sheriff Dave Drew says he believes that influx is the result of rising safety concerns following high-profile gun crimes.

Tom Hudson, manager of CrossRoads Shooting Sports in Johnston, says the number of new customers at his shop quadrupled last month, and he’s surprised that gun sales have not dropped off since the usual holiday increase.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports one arrest and one accident took place over the past week. 34-year old Jeremy Scott Carnes, of Pacific Junction, was arrested last Friday on a Warrant for Driving While Revoked. Carnes’ bond was set at $1,000.

And, on Friday, Alma Garcia, of Council Bluffs, was cited for Failure to Maintain Control and having No Insurance, following an investigation into an accident. Officials say Garcia was driving a 2008 Hyundai northbound on 188th street, when she tried to stop at the intersection with Hammond Avenue.

Authorities say due to speeding and road conditions, the car was unable to stop and slid through the intersection, into the ditch and through a wire fence. The vehicle was towed out by a friend. Garcia left the scene without contacting law enforcement. The owner of the fence noticed the accident and called the sheriff’s office to report it. The car was located the vehicle at 18146 Hammond Avenue. It had sustained heavy front end damage, including to the fenders and hood. A large chunk of the front bumper had also fallen off. Garcia told the investigating deputy she didn’t know she was supposed to call to report the accident.