DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Ethanol production has become a key issue in Iowa’s closely matched U.S. Senate race, with both candidates pledging support for an industry that is important to the state’s corn-powered agricultural economy.

Democrat Bruce Braley and Republican Joni Ernst have both sought to assure voters they oppose a proposal from the Environmental Protection Agency that would reduce the amounts of ethanol and other biofuels that must be blended into gasoline.

Braley is touting his efforts to halt the changes. Ernst argues she supports maintaining the existing standard — known as the Renewable Fuel Standard — though she has taken questions over statements that she is she is opposed to subsidies from a “philosophical standpoint.”

The Iowa Farm Bureau’s political committee endorsed Ernst, while the Iowa Corn Growers Association PAC backed Braley.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa (AP) — A city utility has issued a water boil advisory for the southeast Iowa town of Mount Pleasant following a water main break. The Hawk Eye reports that the areas affected by the boil advisory include the intersection of U.S. 34 and Goodyear Road, west into the town of Westwood, as well as the intersection of Franklin Avenue and U.S. 34 south to Oakland Mills Road. The water main break occurred Wednesday along Franklin Avenue and is expected to remain in effect through Sunday.

PELLA, Iowa (AP) — A clerical error has led to the private medical information of nearly a dozen Iowa patients being sent to the wrong addresses. Des Moines television station KCCI reports that it uncovered a handful of local Pella Regional Health Center patients whose hospital bills and medical records were compromised. Eleven patients have been contacted about the privacy breach.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa City Council is considering banning the use of electronic cigarettes on city-owned property. The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports that the City Council discussed a possible ban this week.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s Jake Duzey caught a go-ahead 12-yard touchdown pass from Jake Rudock with a minute left in a 17-13 win over Ball State yesterday. Rudock threw for 322 yards and completed 9 of 11 passes on the Hawkeyes’ two scoring drives in the final 6 minutes. Iowa forced a fumble on Ball State’s final possession to end the game.

Police in Lenox arrested a local man late Friday night following a traffic stop. At around 11:30 pm officers observed a vehicle driven by 43-year old Pedro Quintana Flores, of Lenox. Flores was known to have suspended drivers license.

After the car was stopped in the 400 block of w. Temple Street, Flores was arrested for driven while barred, carrying weapons both aggregated misdemeanors, failure to stop at a stop sign, false use of registration, failure to register, and failure to have insurance.

He was transported to the Taylor County Jail.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A Sioux City woman whose baby nearly drowned in a bathtub last month has pleaded not guilty to a charge of child endangerment. Police tell Sioux City television station KTIV that 20-year-old Maricela Vasquez left her 10-month-old baby along in a bathtub to go smoke marijuana in a nearby bedroom.

Police say the infant nearly drowned, but has since recovered.  Vasquez also faces a charge of possession of a controlled substance.