Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:50 a.m. CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — In Iowa, where nearly 17,000 residents work in the health insurance industry, candidates are facing questions about how their health care plans could affect jobs in the state. Des Moines is home to Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield’s health insurance headquarters. Some candidates have already faced questions about the issue on the campaign trail. This week, South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg went on the offensive. Referencing Sen. Bernie Sanders’ and Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s “Medicare for All” plans, he argued that some candidates’ health care plans would “eliminate the job of every single American working at every single insurance company in the country.”

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — One of the world’s largest banks will reap a windfall from the University of Iowa’s multi-billion-dollar plan to outsource its utility operations before students or faculty see any benefit from the deal. Wells Fargo is expected to get nearly 1% of the nearly $1.2 billion payment that the university has negotiated for leasing its utility system to a private operator. A university spokeswoman estimates Wells Fargo will receive about $10.45 million. The university hired the bank as its strategic advisor on the transaction. The Iowa Board of Regents on Tuesday awarded a 50-year contract to a private company to operate its steam, cooling, water, and electricity infrastructure.

CENTERVILLE, Iowa (AP) — An atheist leader says his organization will fight to add displays of its own if a Nativity scene is returned to a courthouse lawn in southern Iowa. The Daily Iowegian reports that the Nativity scene was moved Monday from the Appanoose County Courthouse lawn in Centerville. Some residents had complained that a religious display should not be placed on government property. Justin Scott is state director for the American Atheists organization. He says the group will demand equal access if officials return the scene to the courthouse. The Centerville City Council is scheduled to discuss the issue Monday.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The director of the Iowa Department of Transportation is leaving his job next month after Gov. Kim Reynolds asked him to resign. Mark Lowe is a lawyer who was appointed to the post by Reynolds in May 2017. The governor’s spokesman says she has decided to seek a change in leadership. Lowe became general counsel for the Iowa DOT in 2008 before becoming director of the motor vehicle division and then interim director. His resignation letter released Friday makes no mention of why he was asked to leave. His resignation is effective Jan. 10.