DES MOINES (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Safety is investigating scam calls to MidAmerican Energy customers.  Since late May MidAmerican has documented a significant increase in calls from customers reporting fraudulent phone scam attempts in the Des Moines, Council Bluffs, Fort Dodge, Iowa City, and Davenport areas. It is estimated that 4-5% of the customers have provided money or personal information to the scammers.

DES MOINES (IRN) – The 2015 Iowa Legislative session is over, more than a month later than planned. Highlights include the passage of a 10 cent per gallon gas tax and a contentious debate over education funding. An education budget compromise was reached that stayed within limits Republicans desired, and allocated “rainy day” funds to education that Democrats wanted. The state of Iowa has a $7.3 billion dollar budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

DES MOINES (IRN) – The Iowa Democratic and Republican parties jointly announced on Friday that the 2016 Iowa caucus results will be delivered via a new, mobile-enabled, cloud-based platform that will allow for accurate, efficient and secure reporting on caucus night. The parties collaborated with Microsoft to create the application.

JOHNSTON, IA (IRN) –  Four people have been arrested and charged in connection with a violent home invasion in Johnston last fall. KCCI-TV reports that police were called to the home as the robbery was in progress.  Johnston Police said the group, carrying assault rifles and pistols, invaded a late night patio party. McKenzie McCracken, 24, of Windsor Heights; Joseph Rendo, 35, of Altoona; Arthur Benson, 37, of Des Moines; David Moore, 22, of Ankeny, and Garvis Thompson have been charged. Police said a fifth person wanted in the case has yet to be arrested.

HUDSON, IA  (IRN) – The Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office confirms a fatal workplace accident occurred in Hudson Friday. KWWL-TV reports the accident happened while maintenance was being done on a stationary helicopter, and that the death occurred near the tail of the helicopter. The accident was at RITEL Copter Service, a business that helps farmers and seed companies with aerial applications services.