Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

ALTOONA, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s governor and congressional delegation are trying to shore up political support for ethanol, which is slipping as the nation produces more of its own oil. Republican Terry Branstad is pushing to reverse the Obama administration’s proposal to cut the required amount of ethanol in the nation’s fuel supply. Almost half of Iowa’s corn crop goes to manufacture the grain alcohol, which is blended into gasoline.

WAVERLY, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa woman who was once held captive by Iranian revolutionaries for more than a year is happy to see the United States talking with Iran. Kathryn Koob told The Associated Press yesterday she doesn’t want to comment on the deal that calls for Iran to freeze its nuclear program temporarily. But Koob says she’s glad the United States and Iran are sitting at the table and negotiating. Koob was one of 66 Americans held hostage in Iran beginning in 1979.

OTTUMWA, Iowa (AP) — Nearly 100 Iowa families are celebrating having their soldiers home before Thanksgiving. KCCI reports that almost 100 soldiers from an Iowa Army National Guard unit returned home Saturday after a year in Afghanistan. Autumn Eddy says she felt like she was a single parent during the deployment, so she was looking forward to Sergeant Mark Eddy’s return.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Hallie Christofferson scored 25 points to lead Number 22 Iowa State to an 89-47 blowout over Drake on Sunday. Christofferson, leading the Big 12 in shooting, was 8 of 10 from the field, including two 3-pointers in Des Moines.