(Buena Vista County, IA) — The Iowa Department of Agriculture has confirmed a second positive case of bird flu in Buena Vista County. The virus was found in a flock of commercial layer chickens. This is the second confirmed case in Buena Vista County — the first case was in a commercial turkey flock on March 6th. A confirmed case was also found in a commercial laying chicken flock in Taylor County on March 10th.

>>Three Companies Win State Tax Incentives

(Ames, IA) — The Iowa Economic Development Authority Board approved state incentives today (Friday) for three businesses. I-E-D-A spokesperson, Kanan Kappleman, says Berdex — which builds livestock trailers — was given an award as they plan to locate their U-S headquarters at an existing facility in Ames. They received 57-thousand-100 dollars in tax benefit through the high-quality jobs program with the promise of 20 new jobs. Camso Holdings in northeast Iowa makes offroad tires and tracks for equipment and also won state tax benefits. The company plans to rework its facility in Peosta with new equipment to implement a new line and will create 33 new jobs. Link Snacks in Underwood also to double the current capacity of their facility. The project also includes the purchase of an automated storage and retrieval system and the creation of three new jobs.

>>Safe Harbor Law Now Eligble For Debate In Senate

(Des Moines, IA) — Iowa could be poised to join 27 other states that have so-called “Safe Harbor” laws for victims of human trafficking. Karl Schilling of the Iowa Organization for Victim Assistance says while he’s worked with victims for more than 30 years, he’s still stunned by the depravity and brutality of human traffickers. Advocates say the bill will help turn victims into survivors and give them immunity to testify against sex traffickers. The bill is eligible for debate in the Iowa Senate. It passed the House on a 95 to one vote earlier this month.