Gov. Terry Branstad says storms that brought flooding to Iowa since May 19 caused an estimated $22 million in damage that is eligible for federal public assistance. As a result he has signed a letter to President Barack Obama requesting a presidential disaster declaration that would include 47 of Iowa’s counties.

The storms brought damaging wind, tornadoes, heavy rain and thunderstorms causing flash flooding.

The request includes counties scattered throughout the state.

Public Assistance funds may be used to rebuild damaged roads, bridges, culverts and other public facilities, or to cover emergency work costs.

Branstad also has activated the individual assistance program for Lee and Webster counties. Residents may apply for $5,000 grants for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and for the expense of temporary housing.

A suburban Chicago man has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for binding and blindfolding two of his children in a Wal-Mart parking lot in eastern Kansas.

53-year-old Adolfo Gomez also was ordered during Wednesday’s sentencing hearing in Douglas County District Court to serve two years of probation.

Gomez and his wife, Deborah Gomez, of Northlake, Ill., were arrested Jun 13, 2012, in Lawrence. Police reported finding two of their children, ages 5 and 7, bound by their hands and feet in the store parking lot.

Adolfo Gomez pleaded no contest to felony child abuse and child endangerment.

Deborah Gomez was sentenced earlier to one year of probation after pleading no contest to child endangerment.

The tornado that ripped through St. Charles County in late May, and flooding that has ravaged portions of the county, are proving costly.

That cleanup costs are at $2.4 million and the tab is still running. County Executive Steve Ehlmann says the county anticipates collecting about 50,000 tons of tree and limb debris alone.

Ehlmann says the county is still seeking federal disaster reimbursement. If it doesn’t get it, cuts may have to be made elsewhere to balance the budget because the county’s emergency fund contains about $1.8 million.

Hundreds of homes were damaged in the tornado that touched down May 31.

A northwest Missouri couple who authorities say were heavy gamblers have pleaded guilty to a $2.8 million embezzlement and check-kiting scheme.

The U.S. Attorney’s office says 54-year-old Laura Dejong and 55-year-old Craig Dejong, of Liberty, both pleaded guilty Tuesday to filing a false tax return. Laura Dejong also pleaded guilty to mail fraud.

The wife admitted embezzling the money from January 2003 to November 2011 from Kansas City Screw Products Inc., where she worked as a secretary and bookkeeper for 23 years.

Prosecutors said the Dejongs engaged in millions of dollars of gambling, mostly at slot machines. They also spent more than $100,000 on vacations and cruises.

The couple agreed to forfeit their Liberty home and everything they bought with stolen money, including vehicles, a boat and sports tickets.

The family of a Kansas woman who fell to her death from a party bus is suing the operators of the bus.

The family of 26-year-old Jamie Frecks filed the wrongful death lawsuit Tuesday against Midnight Express, the company’s three operators and the driver of the bus. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Frecks’ infant daughter. A second lawsuit was filed on behalf of Frecks’ estate.

Frecks fell from the bus when doors suddenly opened. She was hit by at least three vehicles on May 4 on Interstate 35 in Kansas City, Kan.

An attorney for the bus operators said they would have no comment on the lawsuits.

The company that insures most of Kansas’ school districts says it won’t provide coverage for districts that allow armed employees.

EMC Insurance Companies has told its agents around the state not to offer policies to school districts that allow concealed weapons under a law that takes effect July 1. EMC will not renew policies for districts it already insures if they allow concealed weapons.

EMC insures about 90 percent of the state’s 286 school districts.

EMC official Bernie Zalaznik says the company believes the decision is in its best financial interest because of the potential liabilities.

The new law lets school boards designate employees who can bring guns to school. Currently, only law enforcement officers can carry guns on school property.

Overland Park police say a man is hospitalized after a friend allegedly stabbed him with a sword.

Police spokesman Gary Mason says the victim, a man in his mid-30s, was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after being stabbed early Wednesday in Overland Park.

Mason says the two friends were messing around when it got out of hand and they started wrestling.

He says the suspect, a 26-year-old Overland Park man, got upset, grabbed a sword and stabbed his friend.

The suspect is being held in Johnson County jail on suspicion of aggravated battery that caused great bodily harm.

A Department of Natural Resources biologist says Iowa’s pheasant population likely will decline this year because of the cool and wet spring.

DNR upland wildlife biologist Todd Bogenschutz says Iowa’s pheasant population usually increases after mild winters and dry, warm springs. This year, a snowy winter was followed by record-setting cold temperatures and rain.

Because of those conditions, Bogenschutz says the pheasant population will likely be smaller than in 2012.

Habitat also has been an issue for the pheasant population, as high commodity prices lead more farmers to grow crops rather than set aside land for wildlife under the federal Conservation Reserve Program.

But Bogenschutz says Iowa has made progress in creating more habitat for pheasants through an effort to set aside 50,000 acres of land to aid the birds.