An attempted robbery in Council Bluffs Saturday evening ended with the suspect getting away empty-handed. According to Bluffs Police, a man entered the Family Dollar Store near 17th and Broadway at around 7-p.m., and displayed a semi-automatic handgun to the clerk. The suspect — a black male about 30-to 40-years of age, 5-feet 10-inches tall and weighing around 150-pounds – shoved the clerk toward the register, demanded money.

After the clerk was unable to open the cash drawer, the robber fled on foot. He was described as wearing all black clothing, having a tan hat and a striped scarf over his face.

Council Bluffs Police ask anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 712-328-7867.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

WAUKEE, Iowa (AP) — Texas Senator Ted Cruz says he’s always been clear about his opposition to gay marriage — and a recent fundraiser hosted by two gay businessmen was no exception. The 2016 Republican presidential contender told reporters at this weekend’s Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition event in suburban Des Moines that the private fundraiser, first reported by the New York Times, was focused on foreign policy.

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A West Des Moines Catholic high school has approved a request by students to form a school-based gay-straight alliance called “One Human Family.” The Register reports that Dowling Catholic High School gave the approval for the club on Friday. The approval came just weeks after school officials drew criticism for opting to not hire a substitute teacher full time after learning he was gay.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Crews are preparing the old Riverfront YMCA building for demolition. Des Moines television station KCCI reports that asbestos removal crews plan to take out more than 40,000-square-feet of asbestos-laden ceiling tile and flooring before the 60-year-old structure is demolished. The building has been vacant since the Y moved to its new location on Grand Avenue.

BERNARD, Iowa (AP) — Two people, including a 2-year-old boy, have been killed in a single-vehicle rollover crash near Bernard in eastern Iowa. The Dubuque Telegraph Herald reports that that 20-year-old Ellen Edwards and 2-year-old Joseph Edwards, both of Bernard, died in the Friday evening crash.

A non-injury two vehicle accident occurred Saturday morning in Red Oak.  Red Oak Police report the accident happened at the intersection of Oak and 1st Street at 10:22am Saturday.

A 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis driven by 86-year-old Herbert Henry Behrhorst of Clarinda was travelling east on Oak Street and had just passed the intersection with North 1st Street when he decided that he wanted to go north on 1st Street.  Behrhorst then backed up on Oak Street to make the turn while a 2011 Ford Taurus driven by Jay Alan Klyn of Red Oak was negotiating a left hand turn onto E Oak Street.  Klyn then saw Behrhorst was backing up but couldn’t avoid a collision.

Behrhorst’s vehicle sustained $150 damage to the right rear, while the Klyn vehicle suffered approximately $2,000 damage to the left front corner.  Behrhorst was issued a citation for unsafe backing.