After all the hoopla of the 2014 election, there won’t be much change in the key decision-makers at the statehouse. Republican Governor Terry Branstad easily won reelection, Republicans added four seats in to their majority in the Iowa House and Democrats were able to retain control of the Iowa Senate. Senate Democratic Leader Mike Gronstal of Council Bluffs suggests legislators need to forget about all the election drama and move on.

“Everybody understands a sore loser. Nobody understands a sore winner. Erase the chalk board. Start over,” Gronstal says. “The voters have put a set of people into this golden dome building and it’s our job to work together and try and face the problems Iowa has and solve them.” For the past two years Democrats had held a narrow, 26 to 24 seat edge in the Iowa Senate and, while some of the seats changed hands Tuesday night, Democrats will be in control by the same 26-to-24 margin for the next few years.

“We go out and recruit really good candidates, people who are already leaders in their community, and help them run smart, savvy campaigns and I think that’s why we succeed,” Gronstal says. Senate Democrats plan to meet on Sunday to hold leadership elections and Gronstal is likely to remain the majority leader. Senate Republican Leader Bill Dix of Shell Rock has scheduled a meeting for Senate Republicans on Monday.

“We’ll all get together,” Dix says. “We’ll work on where we want to align ourselves and make sure we continue to stand for those conservative values that grow Iowa’s economy and jobs and try to find a way to work in any way we can to get those issues done and sent on to the governor.” House Republicans are likely to retain Kraig Paulsen of Hiawatha and Linda Upmeyer of Clear Lake as their top leaders. House Republicans plan to meet Monday to plot strategy for the 2015 legislative session. House Democrats plan to meet Saturday, November 15th to discuss election losses and their priorities for 2015.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — While Iowa Republicans scored big wins on election night and the GOP is poised to dominate the state’s congressional delegation, leaders from both parties say the traditionally purple state is unlikely to turn permanently red. Republican Joni Ernst easily won the competitive Senate race against Democrat Bruce Braley on Tuesday, and Republicans won three of the state’s four congressional seats.

ALTOONA, Iowa (AP) — A trade group expected to take over dog racing in Dubuque has presented its arguments for a gaming license. The Iowa Greyhound Association spoke yesterday morning in Altoona to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission. The commission is expected to vote on the license application on November 13th.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A Davenport man has been convicted of first-degree murder in the strangulation death of a man he called his best friend. The Quad-City Times reports a Scott County judge found 36-year-old Stephen Boeding guilty yesterday. Sentencing is scheduled for December 4th.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) — A trial has been delayed for a northeast Iowa man accused of assaulting a police officer before the officer shot him. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier says a trial date of January 6th has been set for 28-year-old Zachary Church. He’s charged with assault on a peace officer and possession of marijuana for sale.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – Nov. 5, 2014 – Beginning at 6 a.m. Friday, Nov. 7, traffic on westbound Interstate 80 and northbound I-29 in Council Bluffs, will shift to new pavement lanes west of the south expressway exit (exit 3).

The Iowa Department of Transportation’s Council Bluffs Construction Office says motorists are urged to use caution when shifting onto the new permanent pavement, which is in place to prepare for the construction of westbound I-80 express lanes scheduled to begin in summer 2015.

Iowa DOT is in the process of reconstructing I-80, I-29, and I-480 in the Council Bluffs metropolitan area. This comprehensive interstate redesign will modernize the highway system and improve mobility and safety of approximately 18 miles of interstate. If you would like more information about this Council Bluffs Interstate Improvement Program project, visit: www.councilbluffsinterstate.iowadot.gov/.

Two people have been arrested on separate charges, in Mills County. The Sheriff’s Office reports 52-year old Mark Sheaffer Uebele, of Mineola, was arrested at around 3:25-a.m. today (Wednesday) in Mineola, for Interference with Official Acts and Public Intoxication. His bond was set at$600.

And on Tuesday, 39-year old Chad James Johnston, of Glenwood, was arrested at around 9:55-p.m. on a charge of OWI/1st offense. Bond was set at $1,000.