OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A monthly survey of bankers suggests the economy will remain weak in rural parts of Iowa, Nebraska and eight other Midwestern states due to low grain and oil prices. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss in Omaha says growth is being restrained in rural areas because of low corn and fuel prices. But bankers say ethanol plants haven’t slowed production much.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Chris Branstad, Iowa’s longest serving first lady, will appear in formal wear at the inaugural ball Friday, but no new doll will be made to commemorate the occasion. A popular attraction at the Iowa Capitol is a case displaying dolls of all the first ladies wearing their inaugural gowns. The state has featured these likenesses since 1976. The tradition was begun by former first lady Billie Ray.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — A 25-year-old Dubuque man has been given 120 days in jail and two years of probation for a fatal accident with a pedestrian last spring. The Telegraph Herald reports that Alex Hannan on Wednesday was sentenced to a year in jail, with all but 120 days suspended. He’d been convicted of driving while intoxicated.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The amount of water flowing into the Missouri River this spring is expected to be close to normal levels. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says it expects 25.6 million acre feet of water to flow into the Missouri River this year. Typically, the river receives 25.2 million acre feet of water.