Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

EVANSDALE, Iowa (AP) — A small fire at a middle school in northeast Iowa has led to an early dismissal for students and staff. The Waterloo Community School District says the fire was reported yesterday morning at Bunger Middle School in Evansdale. No injuries were reported.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An eastern Iowa telephone cooperative is getting a guaranteed loan from the federal government to increase its fiber optics network and make system improvements. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said North Liberty-based South Slope Cooperative Telephone Company is getting a loan of nearly $14.7 million from the Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan Program, which makes long-term direct and guaranteed loans. The company’s service area includes Amana, North Liberty, West and South Cedar Rapids, and parts of Coralville.

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — A statue of a farmer leaning on a spade has been selected among 20 other sculptures as the most popular in Mason City. The work called “The Farmer,” is this year’s winner of the People’s Choice award in the north Iowa city.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The owner of a popular Des Moines pharmacy will likely serve up to 37 months in prison for illegally selling tens of thousands of addictive painkillers to drug abusers. The Register reports an attorney representing Mark Graziano said Tuesday that his client plans to plead guilty to two of the 18 federal charges filed against him.