Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

GRAETTINGER, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say two boys have died after a northern Iowa house fire. Palo Alto County firefighters say they went in and found 5-year-old Gavin Hasbrouck and 7-year-old Collin Reed, who were taken to Palo Alto County Hospital in Emmetsburg with their mother. Authorities say the boys were pronounced dead at the hospital.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A jury has begun deliberations in the case of an eastern Iowa man who tried to use his rare cancer condition as a defense to marijuana-growing charges. Attorneys for both sides in the Benton Mackenzie case gave closing arguments Tuesday. The jury began deliberations but was sent home a short time later. They will resume Wednesday. The 48-year-old Mackenzie and his wife Loretta, both of Long Grove, are charged with manufacturing marijuana and other drug charges.

MOULTON, Iowa (AP) — Officials say remains found in Germany in 2012 have been positively identified as belonging to a WWII airman from Iowa who went missing more than 69 years ago. The Iowa National Guard says Staff Sgt. Robert “Bobby” E. Howard, of Moulton, Iowa, was 21 years old in April 1945 when his aircraft was shot down over Germany. He and four other crew members were officially declared dead, though their remains were never recovered.

HUDSON, Iowa (AP) — Firefighters battled a fire at a rural hog confinement operation in northeast Iowa. Officials say a structure at the confinement in Hudson caught fire Tuesday before spreading to an adjacent building. Heavy smoke and impaired visibility was reported. The second structure contained hogs, and some are believed to have died in the fire. It is unclear how many hogs were inside.

A truck driver from Clarinda was arrested Tuesday evening in Cass County on suspicion of drug trafficking. Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy Tyler Shiels told KJAN News that around 6:46-p.m., he initiated a traffic stop on a semi that was traveling 70-miles per hour in a 55 zone. The semi, driven by 37-year old Nathan Allen Johnson, of Clarinda, was stopped on Highway 71 near the intersection with Denver Road, just south of Interstate 80.

Shiels said upon making contact with the driver, probable cause was established to search the vehicle, during which the initial investigation resulted in approximately 5-grams of methamphetamine being seized, along with drug paraphernalia (Scales), two handguns and an unspecified amount of cash, leading authorities to believe the Johnson may have been involved in distribution and sale of narcotics.He was arrested on the possession, along with intent to deliver, charges.

Johnson was released from the jail on Wednesday. Assisting with the investigation was Cass County Deputy Josh McClaren, and an Iowa Department of Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division officer. Shiels said with regard to the meth bust, “It’s good to be able to get that stuff off the road. That’s what we’re out there looking for, and hopefully prevent

An arrest has been made in connection with the death of a central Iowa teenager over one year ago. Seventeen-year-old Aaliyah West died on June 22, 2013 after spending the night partying with friends at a mobile home in Grimes.

Patrick Glade

An autopsy found West died from an overdose of the prescription drug methadone. Police say the investigation led them to 25-year-old Patrick Glade, who was living in Guthrie Center. He was arrested Tuesday on a warrant for involuntary manslaughter.

Glade is being held in the Polk County Jail on a $20,000 cash-only bond.

MOULTON, Iowa (AP) — Officials say remains found in Germany in 2012 have been positively identified as belonging to a WWII airman from Iowa who went missing more than 69 years ago. The Iowa National Guard says Staff Sgt. Robert “Bobby” E. Howard, of Moulton, Iowa, was 21 years old in April 1945 when his aircraft was shot down over Germany. He and four other crew members were officially declared dead, though their remains were never recovered.

Officials say in a news release Tuesday that a research and analysis group concluded earlier this year that human remains found near the possible aircraft crash site belong to Howard.

SSgt. Robert Howard

A memorial service for Howard will be held in Moulton on July 19 with full military honors.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A disaster proclamation has been issued for three Iowa counties affected by recent severe weather. Gov. Terry Branstad says a proclamation was issued Tuesday for Polk County, following a proclamation Monday for Scott and Shelby counties.

The governor’s office says the proclamations are in response to ongoing flooding and severe weather that began June 26. They are aimed at helping the counties recover with the help of state resources. The proclamations will also allow residents in Scott and Shelby counties to utilize the state’s individual assistance program. That offers grants of up to $5,000 to certain low-income households.