DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Governor Terry Branstad is pushing lawmakers to approve changes to Iowa’s property tax system, saying that adjourning without passing a property tax bill would be a “tragic disservice” to Iowans. The governor has proposed an across-the-board cut of 40 percent in business property taxes over eight years, while Senate Democrats wanted a much smaller reduction aimed at small businesses. Lawmakers were scheduled to end the session on April 17.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa is one of three states in which the conservative political group Tea Party Express is holding rallies this week with a program of speeches opposing the re-election of President Barack Obama. In Des Moines, about 40 people gathered near the Capitol today for an hour of speeches and a performance by a rap artist advocating a “campaign against the current culture destroying the fabric of freedom.” Rallies are also scheduled for Nebraska and Missouri.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Federal prosecutors are defending their use of an obscure law to indict two recreational Iowa pilots whose low flying may have disturbed thousands of resting migratory birds. Paul Austin and Craig Martin are charged with violating the Airborne Hunting Act. Prosecutors say they flew separate small planes 20 feet above Saylorville Lake last November, causing a large group of waterfowl and white pelicans to take flight. Prosecutors say they violated the law, which prohibits using an aircraft to harass animals. Austin and Martin have asked a judge to dismiss the indictment, saying the law is unconstitutional.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Two Lisbon High school wrestlers charged as adults in an investigation of inappropriate behavior against other members of the team will not be tried. The Linn County attorney’s office had filed simple misdemeanor assault charges against two 18-year-old students in March. But one will have the charge removed if he completes probation and the other wrestler’s charges were dropped.