IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The U.S. Army Reserve has reprimanded a soldier who went on national television in his military uniform to endorse Ron Paul for president on the night of the Iowa caucuses. The military announced yesterday that Jesse Thorsen violated Department of Defense policies when he appeared on stage at Paul’s January 3rd rally. Department of Defense regulations bar servicemen from participating in political events in uniform.

JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) — The top Republican in the Iowa House says lawmakers won’t increase the fuel tax this year despite persistent talk about such a move. Speaking yesterday on the Iowa Public Television program, “Iowa Press,” House Speaker Kraig Paulsen noted that some lawmakers and groups have pushed hard for a fuel tax increase to pay for road and bridge work. Iowa last raised its gas tax in 1989.

HILLS, Iowa (AP) — An eastern Iowa man faces four charges, accused of trying to run his wife off a road as she tried to drive herself and their children away from him to safety. Twenty-nine-year-old Brian Laschke of Hills is charged with four misdemeanors, including domestic abuse assault with intent, and child endangerment without injury. A Johnson County jailer said Laschke remained in custody yesterday on $30,000 bail.

STORM LAKE, Iowa (AP) — A suspicious briefcase that raised alarms in downtown Storm Lake turned out to be harmless. Authorities say someone spotted the briefcase on Thursday morning. The streets were shut down and then reopened after about two hours.