DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have ended a lockdown of the Iowa Statehouse after determining that a white powder mailed to a legislator was harmless. It ended last night, more than four hours after Des Moines Democrat Ako Abdul-Samad opened an envelope in the House chamber and found white powder and a threatening letter inside.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa House has approved a measure that would ban the use of automatic cameras to enforce traffic laws. Supporters say the cameras remove an important human element from the enforcement of traffic laws. Those opposed argue cameras are effective in reducing accidents. The measure goes to the Senate.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Democratic U.S. Representative Bruce Braley has set the stage for what could be a repeat of Republicans’ costly effort that nearly ousted him from office two years ago. The 54-year-old Braley announced yesterday that he’ll run for a fourth term in Congress. He is a close political ally of Democratic U.S. Senator Tom Harkin. In 2010, Braley beat Republican Ben Lange.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Mauricio Lasansky (luh-SAN’-skee), an innovative printmaker known for The Nazi Drawings, has died at his home in Iowa City at age 97. His son says his father died Monday of “old age.” Lasansky was born in Argentina in 1914 and started teaching at the University of Iowa in 1945. He was best known for large-scale, colorful prints.