Beto O’Rourke has begun campaigning in his 2020 presidential bid with his first trip to Iowa. The former Texas congressman announced his White House run Thursday morning and stopped later in a coffee shop in Keokuk. He promised to offer the kind of bipartisan, optimistic vision for the future that helped him nearly upset Republican Sen. Ted Cruz in deeply red Texas last November.

O’Rourke told the Iowa crowd: “I could care less about your party persuasion, your religion, anything other than the fact that, right now, we are all Americans.” His comments were carried live on several cable television networks, something other Democrats in the already crowded White House field haven’t had. O’Rourke has three days of campaign events in Iowa planned and has promised to travel the country listening to would-be voters.

Two people being held in the Pottawattamie County Jail were served with warrants Wednesday, for additional offenses. 25-year old Tyler Jordan Myers, of Council Bluffs, who was being held on charges that include Interference with Official Acts, and two counts of Eluding, was presented with a warrant for Domestic Abuse Assault Causing Bodily Injury/1st offense. And, 22-year old Alison Kay Frank, of Council Bluffs, who was being held on felony Theft and Burglary charges, in addition to other Theft and Burglary charges, was presented with a warrant charging her with three counts of Credit Card Fraud, each under $1,000. Her total bond was set at $10,500.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office today (Thursday), said two people were injured during a three-vehicle collision Tuesday evening. Authorities say at around 5:10-p.m., a 2007 Hyundai driven by 44-year old Veronika Pinkerton, of Omaha, was stopped at a red light at the Highway 34 eastbound and 188th Street. A 2012 Chevy driven by 63-year old Philip Mather, of Pacific Junction, was behind her. A 2001 Ford driven by 41-year old Corrienne Gray, of Glenwood, was traveling eastbound and approaching the intersection. Due to the fog, Gray was unable to see the stopped vehicles ahead of her.

Her Ford rear-ended the Chevy, causing it to rear end the Hyundai. Philip Mather was transported by Glenwood Rescue to Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs. Gray was transported by her spouse to the Bellevue Medical Center. Gray was cited for Failure to Stop in an Assured, Clear Distance.

More State and area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A new report says Iowa farmland values fell 2.7 percent over the past year, in part because of trade disputes. The Iowa Chapter of the Realtors Land Institute says the decline occurred despite federal government’s trade bailout program, limited land and higher yields in some parts of Iowa. The Des Moines Register reports the statewide average was nearly $6,800 an acre. The institute says trade wars with Canada, China, Mexico and other countries tugged on farmland values, especially last fall, as did tightening cash for operations and higher interest rates.

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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As of 7:05-a.m., City of Atlantic road crews have cleared flood debris on North Olive Street. The road, from the KJAN Studios at the City Limits, south to Commerce Street, was closed since late Wednesday night due to flooding, and once the flood waters retreated, debris left behind.

The Creston Police Department reports two arrests. Early today (Thursday), 27-year old Richie Rodriguez, of Creston, was arrested for Driving While License Under Suspension. He is being held in the Union County Jail on bond. And, on Wednesday, 42-year old Jeremiah Lee David Parcher, of Creston, was arrested Driving While License Under Suspension. He was released on bond.

A residents of the 100 block of W. Montgomery St., in Creston, reported to police, that her 2008 Saturn Vue was broken into overnight (uknown timeframe). Items taken include registration, insurance and other misc. paperwork. Loss estimate is $100.

Cass County Emergency Management Director Mike Kennon stopped by the KJAN Studios at 6:30 this morning, to give us an update on flooding and road closures. Listen to the interview between KJAN News Director Ric Hanson and Kennon, here: (click on the left side of the audio bar to play)

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Floodwaters have forced Iowa officials to close several highways on the west side of the state. Interstate 680 near Council Bluffs and a portion of Interstate 29 were reported closed early Thursday. The Iowa Transportation Department says a stretch of U.S. Highway 75 was covered by floodwater northeast of Sioux City, but a detour was operating.

An emergency shelter was opened in Council Bluffs because of flooding along Mosquito Creek, and sandbagging was underway in Avoca, where an emergency shelter was opened as the West Nishnabotna River continued to rise. Residents of Missouri Valley were asked to evacuate after levees were breached.

More than 1.55 inches of rain was reported in Sioux City, where Woodbury County Sheriff Dave Drew listed 16 spots where floodwaters covered roads. He told the Sioux City Journal , “There’s a big swath of water that’s got to go somewhere.”