Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A national education assessment report shows Iowa students have had some gains in math and reading since 2011, but stagnation over the long term remains a challenge. The latest results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress covers math and reading for fourth- and eighth grade students. There is a flat long-term trend in reading for both grades, but a small growth in math.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Des Moines police say a 21-year-old man has been shot to death. Sergeant Jason Halifax says police received reports of gunshots about 6:30 p.m. yesterday in a neighborhood east of Drake University. Police were withholding the victim’s name until relatives could be notified.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Ian Davies, the former Australian Olympic basketball player who played at Graceland University in Iowa, has died. He was 57. Basketball Australia said in a statement today that Davies died yesterday at his home in Hobart, Tasmania. No other details were disclosed.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A Sioux City man has denied allegations that he slammed his two young daughters’ heads against a floor. The Sioux City Journal says 22-year-old Christopher Schmidt has been charged with three counts of willful injury and three counts of child endangerment resulting in serious injury. He entered not guilty pleas on Wednesday. A trial date hasn’t been scheduled.