Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The director of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services says he paid no hush money to workers as part of their settlement agreements with the state. Mike Carroll has told lawmakers he made a mistake in approving confidentiality clauses in settlement agreements but he says no one was paid to keep silent. Three former department employees say the state offered them cash if they didn’t talk about the agreements.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Members of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission have visited the proposed site of the Cedar Crossing Casino in Cedar Rapids. Developers are making a final push for the $164 million project that they say would breathe new life into an area ravaged by a flood in 2008.

MAQUOKETA, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have determined that a man killed himself Tuesday after exchanging gunfire with a Maquoketa police officer. The Department of Public Safety says an autopsy shows Aaron Scott died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. It also showed he’d been wounded in the leg during the shootout with Sergeant Brendan Zeimet. Zeimet was treated for a wound in the left arm.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for northwest Iowa. Up to three inches of snow are expected by Friday morning, followed by winds of nearly 50 miles per hour. Forecasters say the weekend weather will be more spring-like.