Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:45 a.m. CDT

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Federal prosecutors say a former church treasurer in northwestern Iowa has pleaded guilty to defrauding the church of nearly $500,000 over 13 years. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for Northern District of Iowa says 65-year-old Andrew Matheason pleaded guilty Wednesday in Sioux City’s federal court to one count of wire fraud. Matheason faces up to 20 years in prison when he’s sentenced at a later date.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — President Donald Trump has declared a major disaster exists in Iowa following severe storms and tornadoes in July. Trump issued the declaration Wednesday, making federal funding available to state and eligible local governments as well as certain private nonprofit groups on a cost-sharing basis. The declaration applies to damage from storms and tornadoes on July 19 in the counties of Lee, Marion, Marshall, and Van Buren.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Supreme Court has heard arguments in a lawsuit filed by a group of landowners who claim construction of the Dakota Access oil pipeline on their property violated the Iowa Constitution. Their land was taken through eminent domain approved by the Iowa Utilities Board, which concluded the pipeline carrying crude oil from North Dakota to Illinois provides a public convenience and necessity, something required under Iowa law to justify taking private land.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — An Associated Press review has found that Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds received approval from a state regulator to fly for free to Iowa State’s bowl game on a jet owned by a company that is a longtime state vendor. That’s despite a law barring public officials and their relatives from accepting gifts. Reynolds’ office received approval from the state ethics board director to accept the flight for herself and her family as a campaign donation from Sedgwick’s CEO.