Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The economy appears to be gaining strength in rural parts of Nebraska, Iowa and eight other Midwest states. The overall economic index for the region improved to 55.6 in May from April’s 53.2, suggesting growth in the months ahead across the rural Midwest.

BETTENDORF, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a convicted sex offender faces felony charges after he was found hiding under a child’s bed in Bettendorf. The Quad-City Times reports the two charges were filed Tuesday for 33-year-old Julien Skipper. He remains at the Scott County Jail. Police say Skipper was found April 19th hiding at a neighbor’s apartment as officers investigated a disturbance call. He was arrested at the time and charged with possession with intent to deliver and a parole violation.

FAIRFIELD, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say they have discovered a marijuana growing operation at a home near a southeast Iowa high school. The Fairfield Police Department tells the Ottumwa Courier it executed a search warrant Wednesday at a home close to Fairfield High School owned by 63-year-old Campbell Hair.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Loras College in Dubuque has received a $1 million donation for its business education program. The private college announced Tuesday that Andrew and Mary Pat Studdert had contributed the $1 million to fund the Andrew P. Studdert Endowed Chair in Business Ethics and Crisis Leadership. The contribution is part of a $75 million fundraising campaign at Loras, a Catholic college with about 1,600 students.