AMES, IA (IRN) – Iowa’s credit unions contributed more than $1.1 billion to the state economy in 2014, according to a new economic report. The report, compiled by Iowa State University economist Dave Swenson, found that  every $1 spent by the state’s credit unions contributed another 77 cents to other parts of Iowa’s economy.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Department of Human Services says it has no documentation to support its claim that Governor Branstad’s controversial plan to hire private companies to manage Iowa’s Medicaid program would save taxpayers $51 million during its first six months. The Des Moines Register says the absence of public data behind the estimate is significant because the Legislature relied on the projection when it approved the budget for the current fiscal year.

INDIANOLA, IA (IRN) – The state’s highest court is hearing arguments over whether Warren County Supervisors broke the law when they fired a dozen workers last year. WHO-TV reports the Iowa Supreme Court will determine whether Warren County Supervisors illegally fired the staff without first talking with department heads or holding a public meeting.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA (IRN) – Twenty-one people in the Omaha/Council Bluffs metro area were arrested and two underage victims were rescued in an FBI operation targeting human trafficking, according to KETV. Authorities targeted hotels, apartment buildings and truck stops, looking for victims. Across the country, 149 victims were recovered — the youngest is 12 years old, and three of the victims are transgender boys. 153 pimps were arrested, three of them were locals.

GRINNELL, IA (IRN) – A Grinnell family is speaking out after they say a grade school educator made racist comments to their children, according to KCCI-TV. The parents say two of their children, whom they describe as mixed-race, were told by an para-educator at Bailey Park Elementary School that black people were “stupid” and shouldn’t go to school with white people. The school is investigating.

WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – The Waterloo Community School District is looking into who shot off fireworks inside a moving school bus Wednesday afternoon. KWWL-TV reports someone at the back of the bus set off the fireworks while the bus was moving. The driver pulled the bus over and called the police. No one was injured.

SIOUX CITY, IA (IRN) – A Sioux City group is already working to make sure the families of veterans and current military members stay warm this winter, according to KMEG-TV. It’s called Operation Warming Hearts and it’s put on by Support Siouxland Soldiers. The program provides winter coats for children and grandchildren of veterans and active military personnel.