Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Strong thunderstorms caused damage across Iowa yesterday and at least two tornadoes were spotted in eastern Iowa. The National Weather Service said the storms caused wind damage in a number of Iowa towns as gusts neared 90 miles per hour and hail up to 1-inch in diameter fell. One person was hurt when a barn was blown over near Martinsburg.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Legislature is poised to finish work for the year by Tuesday, a week after their daily expense payments ended and jobs ended for some staffers. Senate Democratic Leader Mike Gronstal and Republican House Speaker Kraig Paulsen say most of what remains is final paperwork and moving remaining budget bills.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Moderate and evangelical Republicans regained most of the leadership positions within the Iowa GOP from libertarians this weekend. Central committee member David Chung of Cedar Rapids tells the Des Moines Register he hopes the change helps build trust and cooperation within the party. Chung says he didn’t like the way the party was run over the past two years after supporters of now retired Texas Congressman Ron Paul took charge.

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin says U.S. Senate hopeful Joni Ernst would bring Iowa’s values to Washington, D.C . Palin was one of many women in politics to attend the “Heels On, Gloves Off!” rally Sunday in West Des Moines to support Ernst, a Republican state senator.