DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Republican Party has voted to replace its current chairman with a former state lawmaker. The state central committee on Saturday chose former state Rep. Jeff Kauffman, of Wilton, as the new party chairman. Kaufmann replaces Danny Carroll, a former lobbyist for the Family Leader, a conservative Christian group.

The vote came after new committee members were elected earlier this year, with the support of Gov. Terry Branstad. Branstad wants the party unified to protect Iowa’s first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses. Kaufmann, a loyal Branstad supporter, says he will work to unite the party, raise money and get Republican voters to the polls. Kaufmann set an immediate goal of raising $300,000 over the next three months.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — New state laws aimed at corn growers, drones and electronic cigarettes are set to go into effect Tuesday in Iowa. The Des Moines Register reports) that the laws will allow for potential increases in Iowa’s corn promotion check-off, impose new restrictions on e-cigarettes and prohibit the state and local governments from using drones to enforce traffic laws.

Another law will allow consumers to use gift certificates indefinitely. The state Board of Educational Examiners will also receive the power to discipline teachers who engage in relationships with recent former students.

Iowa will also allow household pets to be included in protection orders in domestic abuse cases. The state will also provide services for minors forced into prostitution, instead of prosecuting them.

The Red Oak Police Department reports the arrest of a Red Oak man for Theft in the 5th Degree early Saturday, June 28th at 12:57am.  Officers observed 31-year-old Joseph Aaron Nelson of Red Oak carrying a large storage box on his bicycle.  After making contact with Nelson, he stated that he had taken the box from the 400 block of East Coolbaugh Street.  Nelson was then taken into custody and taken to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center and held on $300 bond.