DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Governor Terry Branstad says more than 1,500 workers will likely lose their jobs as a result of the bird flu outbreak and he is asking President Barack Obama to declare a major disaster for four of the hardest hit Iowa counties. In his letter to the president Thursday, Branstad says 438 people have sought unemployment benefits from Buena Vista, Sioux, Webster and Wright counties.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The economy has improved slightly in rural parts of Iowa and Nebraska, but a new survey suggests little growth ahead. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss in Omaha says the strong dollar is continuing to hurt crop prices and exports, so farm income is down in the region.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Supreme Court will soon release an opinion that could end the use of video conferencing for dispensing abortion-inducing pills to women in rural areas of the state. The high court indicates an opinion will be issued this morning over a lawsuit filed by Planned Parenthood of the Heartland against the Iowa Board of Medicine.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a Dubuque man accused of fatally stabbing his girlfriend tried to convince officers at the scene to shoot him. The Telegraph Herald reports 26-year-old Eddie Hicks is charged with first-degree murder in the death of 21-year-old Kahdyesha J. Lemon. She was found outside the couple’s Dubuque residence Wednesday night with more than 20 stab wounds and died at a local hospital.