Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Republican Party officials are pondering the future of the state’s traditional straw poll for presidential favorites. Iowa GOP spokesman Charlie Szold confirms that a conference call has been set up for Friday, but declines to provide further details. The call was first reported in the Des Moines Register. Critics say the August 8th poll has become a costly sideshow.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Four Democratic presidential hopefuls will appear at an Iowa Democratic Party event next month. The state party organization announced Wednesday that their “Hall of Fame” dinner will be attended by former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and former Virginia Senator Jim Webb on July 17th in Cedar Rapids.

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A West Des Moines man who served with the Iowa National Guard in Iraq has returned there on his own to help train Kurdish troops. Federal officials say the actions of Ryan O’Leary, a former National Guard corporal who served in Iraq in between 2007 and 2008, are legal. But they’ve urged against them over concerns of him being put in danger.

OXFORD, Iowa (AP) — Camping at a wildlife area in eastern Iowa has been halted after state officials say visitors were hosting parties and damaging the space. The state Department of Natural Resources says the temporary camping ban at Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area in Johnson County will be in place to give officials time to address problems with littering, drug use, underage drinking and unattended bonfires.