Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:30 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Rep. Steve King’s recent insensitive comments about rape are the kind that have doomed other political candidates, but some fellow Iowa Republicans say they actually could help his re-election chances by reinforcing his credentials as a social conservative. Tuesday to a conservative group, he questioned whether there would be “any population of the world left” if not for births due to rape and incest. The congressman faces a tough GOP primary in his bid for a 10th term.

SUMNER, Iowa (AP) — A preliminary report from federal aviation safety officials says a crop duster involved in a fatal crash in northeastern Iowa hit power lines before going down on Aug. 9. The report from the National Transportation Safety Board released Thursday says a witness told investigators that the airplane flew “very low” over his home early that morning and that he was “amazed it cleared the trees.” The fiery crash near Sumner killed the pilot, 56-year-old David Baker, of Swedesburg.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The latest monthly survey of bankers in parts of 10 Plains and Western states indicates a shrinking rural economy, and three-quarters of bankers said President Donald Trump’s trade policies are having a negative effect on their local economies. The Rural Mainstreet survey released Thursday shows the its overall index falling from an already anemic 50.2 in July to 46.5 this month. Any score below 50 indicates a shrinking economy.

ALLISON, Iowa (AP) — A northern Iowa sheriff says improper employee payments uncovered by a state audit were errors caused by a misunderstanding of several policies. The audit report of the Butler County Sheriff’s Office released Thursday says the improper payments totaled more than $57,000.