Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

UNDATED (AP) — The hard-fought Senate race in Iowa between Democrat Bruce Braley and Republican Joni Ernst could be a photo finish. One poll released over the weekend suggests Ernst has pulled ahead, while several others show a close matchup. Money has flooded the state for both candidates as Republicans seek the six-seat gain they need to take control of the Senate.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A state audit confirms that a former Iowa County official stole more than $60,000 in public money. Kimberly Tanke is serving three years of probation after pleading guilty to theft in March. Tanke was twice elected county treasurer and later served as a county supervisor. She resigned a year ago.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Retiring Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin is apologizing for calling Republican Joni Ernst attractive, but “wrong for the state of Iowa.” Harkin, who is supporting Democrat Bruce Braley to succeed him, made the remarks at a recent Democratic dinner. In the video, Harkin says it doesn’t matter if Ernst is “as good looking as Taylor Swift or as nice as Mr. Rogers,” if she’s going to be a conservative vote in the Senate. Ernst decried the remark as sexist, saying he would not have made the same comments about a male candidate.

(Information in the following story is from: KWWL-TV, http://www.kwwl.com)

EVANSDALE, Iowa (AP) — A 14-year-old girl faces a first-degree arson charge in connection to a small fire at a middle school in northeast Iowa. Evansdale Fire Chief Kent Smock says the girl was taken into custody. The case has been sent to the juvenile court system. The small fire was reported on Oct. 22 inside a bathroom at Bunger Middle School in Evansdale. No injuries were reported.

The Atlantic City Council is expected to act Wednesday evening, on accepting bids for two, City-owned properties acquired through the condemnation process. During the Council’s last regular meeting, resolutions allowing for the sale of properties at 1200 Birch and 1106 Poplar via sealed bids, were approved. Bids will be accepted through 5-p.m. Wednesday (Nov. 5th).

One of the properties is currently an empty lot. The other has a two-story home on the lot. The house is filled with junk and the buyer will need to remove the structure and its contents, according to a demolition agreement the purchaser is required to sign. If no bids are received for either property, or if the Council feels either bid is inadequate, it may reject the offer/offers, and table the matter.

In other business, Interim City Administrator John Lund is expected to report on his recent visit with Ed Morrison, from the Iowa Municipalities Worker’s Compensation Association. Lund says Morrison had good news, in that measures taken by the City to adopt certain policies, have resulted in a roughly 66-percent decline in the number of Worker Compensation claims over the past 5-years. The policies include seat belt or restraint use, using a designated physician and a Return to Work program.

As a result of having fewer claims, Morrison told Lund the City is being moved out of a higher risk bracket and it is now eligible for insurance premium discounts, which Lund says will be less than what a City the average size of Atlantic, pays.

Near end of their 5:30-p.m. meeting, Wednesday, the Council may elect to enter into a Closed Session per Iowa Code, to hold a Collective Bargaining strategy session, with regard to the City’s Road and Wastewater Treatment system employees’ contracts, which are set to expire June 30, 2015. Lund said rather than using a labor attorney to facilitate the discussions, he would try and meet with Union leaders prior to the Council’s meeting.

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Joni Ernst says she’s “greatly offended” by a remark Democratic Senator Tom Harkin made last week in Ames and Harkin has issued a written apology this afternoon (Tuesday). Video of Harkin’s remark at a gathering of Story County Democrats was posted online by Buzzfeed yesterday (Sunday). Harkin said Ernst was “really attractive” and “sounds nice” in her campaign ads.

“I don’t care if she’s as good looking as Taylor Swift or as nice as Mr. Rogers, but if she votes like Michele Bachmann, she’s wrong for the state of Iowa,” Harkin said, to extended applause from the Democratic crowd. Ernst was asked about Harkin’s remark this morning (Monday) during an appearance on FOX News.

“I was very offended that Senator Harkin would say that. I think it’s unfortunate that he and many of their party believe you can’t be a real woman if you’re conservative and you’re female,” Ernst said on the “FOX & friends” morning show. “Again, I am greatly offended about that.” Ernst said if her name were “John Ernst” Harkin would not have said those things. Harkin issued a written apology this afternoon, saying he “shouldn’t have said those things” and he regret that Ernst feels offended by what he said.

Harkin added that he has complimented Ernst for running “a very good campaign,” but Harkin said he is “only human and can make mistakes” sometimes in how he expresses himself.

(Radio Iowa)

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports a man wanted on a warrant for escaping from the Iowa Department of Corrections was arrested late this (Monday) morning. 45-year old Fred William Still, Jr., of Creston, was taken into custody at around 11:35-a.m. on Highway 71 in Villisca.

Still, Jr. was being held in the Montgomery County Jail without bond.