Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — Martin O’Malley promptly brought his Democratic presidential campaign to Iowa, offering himself to voters in the leadoff caucus state as a leader who will create jobs and opportunity. O’Malley spoke to more than 50 people crowded into a union hall in Davenport Saturday afternoon.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The three rural Iowa counties targeted in a federal lawsuit by a Des Moines water utility have filed a response denying that they contribute to high nitrate levels in rivers. The Des Moines Register reports that Buena Vista, Calhoun and Sac counties submitted the response on May 22nd. The lawsuit filed earlier this year says the three counties should be required to obtain federal water pollution discharge permits because they release nitrate pollutants into rivers much like regulated factories.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Police have arrested an Iowa City man accused of using a blowtorch to cut locks in two separate burglaries. The Press-Citizen reports that 30-year-old Brent Lothridge was arrested Thursday. Police say he entered a construction site on May 8th and used a blowtorch to cut into a tool chest. He was being held Saturday at the Muscatine County Jail on $10,000 bond.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — Matt Hall struck out 11 over eight innings and Missouri State advanced to the championship round of the Springfield Regional with a 5-3 win over Iowa Saturday night. Reliever Ryan Erickson took the loss for Iowa, which plays Oregon in an elimination game today.