Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa court says people can drink alcohol in their cars as long as they’re parked on private property. The Des Moines Register says the Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday a state law banning open alcohol containers in vehicles doesn’t apply to people parked in private lots or driveways.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — A Dubuque woman says she has a state cannabis card allowing her to give an oil extracted from marijuana to her son, but she’s not allowed to do so in his care center. Instead, Jennifer McFadden says she gives the oil to her 12-year-old son, who has severe epilepsy, twice a day in the facility’s parking lot. She tells the Des Moines Register that the agency which operates the center says it can’t allow the oil into the facility. She says the agency told her that federal authorities still consider it a strictly controlled marijuana product.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Former state lawmaker Pat Murphy is embarking on a second Democratic bid for Congress, after a failed campaign in 2014. The 55-year-old from Dubuque lost a closerace to newcomer Republican Rod Blum in November.

CLEAR LAKE, Iowa (AP) — About 100 people were evacuated safely when a fire broke out on a paddle wheel boat on Clear Lake. The Globe Gazette reports the fire was reported Thursday morning, just after the Lady of the Lake cruise ship had docked. About 100 people, including 27 from a care center, were evacuated to shore.

It’s been a very busy July for the American Red Cross, as the organization responded to eight home fires last weekend alone. Red Cross regional executive director Tammy Lee says grilling out is just one of the summertime activities that can lead to disaster. “If you’re too close to the house or thinking the fire is out when it’s not, or starting a fire when it’s windy,” Lee says. “Then there are the things we should be cautious of inside year-round, overloaded circuits, putting things on electric cords.”

Lee says the Red Cross typically responds to more storms in the summer, but this July, they’ve helped 101 people already, compared to 70 people a year ago. She says many of those calls have been house fires, which are usually more of an issue in the colder months, when furnaces and fireplaces are in use. “This time of year this year is just a particular reminder that we can have an uptick in home fires even in the middle of the summer,” she says.

Last weekend’s fires were reported in Appanoose, Wapello, Cass, Floyd, Poweshiek and Polk counties. She says anyone wishing to make a donation or to volunteer with the Red Cross can visit redcross-dot-org.

(Radio Iowa)

Police in Atlantic report the arrest on Wednesday of a local man on drug & other charges. 53-year old Lafe Eichelberger, of Atlantic, faces charges that include Possession of Methamphetamine with the Intent to Deliver, Interference with Official Acts, OWI/1st offense, and Driving While License denied or revoked.

Also arrested Wednesday in Atlantic, was 54-year old Jim Findley, of Carson. Findley was charged with Driving While Barred/Habitual Offender.

And this morning (Thursday), 38-year old Jeremy Lange, of Humboldt, was arrested in Atlantic for OWI/1st offense.  All three men were booked into the Cass County Jail.