Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:35 a.m. CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Sen. Elizabeth Warren is moving quickly to gain an advantage in early-voting Iowa by naming top political staff with experience in the leadoff caucus state before she makes her first campaign trip there as a likely presidential hopeful this weekend. The Massachusetts Democrat on Wednesday hired four Democratic operatives, all with Iowa resumes, including rising stars from the 2018 midterms. The move comes after she established a presidential exploratory committee on Monday.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A survey suggests business conditions improved last month in nine Midwest and Plains states. A report issued Wednesday says the Mid-America Business Conditions Index rose to 55.2 from 54.1 in November. The survey results are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests growth. A score below that suggests decline. The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa has a new state auditor and for just the second time in more than 100 years a Democrat is serving in the job. Rob Sand, a former assistant state attorney general who specialized in prosecuting financial crimes, took the oath of office at the Iowa Capitol on Wednesday.

FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have identified a man killed after exchanging gunfire with officers in Webster County as a resident of Wall Lake. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation identified the man as 45-year-old Matthew Hurley. Hurley died Monday night after engaging in a gunfight while driving away from officers who had been called to a disturbance just outside Fort Dodge. Hurley’s vehicle eventually stopped in a field, and he was found dead inside.