Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A slew of issue-advocacy groups are taking a page from White House hopefuls, flooding airwaves and knocking on doors to try to educate voters ahead of the state’s first-in the-nation 2016 presidential caucus. Groups are running ad campaigns or grassroots efforts are raising issues like early childhood education, campaign finance reform, environmental policy and the national debt. Political strategists and experts view the early-voting state as a fertile ground to reach voters, candidates and influence the conversation. But one veteran operative says that it could be a challenge to cut through the noise because of the mass of groups and candidates jockeying for Iowa voters’ attention.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Residents in Iowa — and neighboring Nebraska across the Missouri River —took advantage of Iowa’s sales tax holiday this weekend. The annual sales tax holiday coincides with back-to-school shopping. It began Friday and wrapped up Saturday. The Iowa holiday allows shoppers to buy select clothing and footwear priced at less than $100 without paying sales tax or local option taxes.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa state auditor’s report says a University of Northern Iowa secretary deposited personal and business checks in lieu of cash donations in an effort to collect personal and business tax breaks. The Des Moines Register reports that auditors found more than $3,000 in cash was collected but never deposited by Lori Shannon, a secretary with the Literacy Education Office.

GARNER, Iowa (AP) — A former Iowa State trooper has been charged with three counts in a child pornography case. The Mason City Globe Gazette reports that 66-year-old David Hubbard of Garner has pleaded not guilty to three counts of misdemeanor sexual exploitation of a minor. Hubbard was arrested on June 30th in Britt.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — In two seasons as Iowa’s backup quarterback, C.J. Beathard was one of the most popular players on the roster. Beathard, a redshirt junior nicknamed “Sunshine” by his teammates, was promoted to the starting role following a brutal loss to Tennessee in January’s TaxSlayer Bowl. The Hawkeyes open against Illinois State on September 5th.