Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:30 a.m. CST

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A winter storm moving across parts of Texas and Oklahoma could dump up to 18 inches of snow in places before moving eastward and possibly spawning tornadoes. The National Weather Service says 12 to 18 inches of snow in southwestern Texas is possible by Thursday. Some snow is also expected in northwest Arkansas. Forecasts say the storm then will move eastward, creating a threat of tornadoes across Louisiana and southern Mississippi on New Year’s Eve as the colder temperatures are met with moisture and warmer air. The storm produced what forecaster Jeremy Grams said was likely a brief tornado in Corsicana, Texas, on Wednesday.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Majority Democrats in the U.S. House say they intend to allow an Iowa Republican to take office while they review her opponent’s contest claiming the six-vote race was wrongly decided. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said “yes” when asked at a news conference whether Mariannette Miller-Meeks will be sworn in with other members of the House on Sunday. Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill said later that Democrats “intend to provisionally seat” Miller-Meeks pending a review of the challenge filed by her Democratic opponent. Rita Hart asked the House to investigate and overturn the state-certified results. The House Administration Committee is reviewing the matter.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Spread of the coronavirus may be increasing again in Iowa as the positivity rate ticked higher in recent days. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University say the 7-day average of the positivity rate in Iowa has risen over the past two weeks from 35.38% on Dec. 15 to 36.21% on Dec. 29. The state reported about 1,600 new cases and 10 deaths on Wednesday. Hospitalizations fell slightly, though the number of people in intensive care was up.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A 22-year-old Kalona man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for creating and storing child pornography. Federal prosecutors announced that Jackson Yaro Young was sentenced Tuesday. Officials said investigators found child pornography on his phone and evidence that he had coerced several minors into sexually explicit conduct. Young pleaded guilty in 2017 to third-degree sexual abuse for having sex with a child. He was placed on probation. He violated his probation in 2018. After serving his current sentence, Young will be on supervised release for 10 years.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A 22-year-old Kalona man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for creating and storing child pornography. Federal prosecutors announced that Jackson Yaro Young was sentenced Tuesday. Officials said investigators found child pornography on his phone and evidence that he had coerced several minors into sexually explicit conduct. Young pleaded guilty in 2017 to third-degree sexual abuse for having sex with a child. He was placed on probation. He violated his probation in 2018. After serving his current sentence, Young will be on supervised release for 10 years.

The Atlantic Rotary Club recently donated $500 to the Washington Elementary Library and $500 to the Schuler Elementary Library, to help update the nonfiction section at each school. Atlantic Rotary is a long time supporter of local schools and supports education as one of their key pillars of community service.

Atlantic Rotary President Brian Harris presenting a check for $1000 to Atlantic Elementary Librarian Janice Dickerson. (Photo submitted)

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Majority Democrats in the U.S. House say they intend to allow an Iowa Republican to take office while they review her opponent’s contest claiming the six-vote race was wrongly decided. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said “yes” when asked at a news conference whether Mariannette Miller-Meeks will be sworn in with other members of the House on Sunday.

Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill said later that Democrats “intend to provisionally seat” Miller-Meeks pending a review of the challenge filed by her Democratic opponent, Rita Hart. Hart asked the House to investigate and overturn the state-certified results. The House Administration Committee is reviewing the matter.

(Radio Iowa) – State roadways are starting to improve as Departement of Transportation crews are out again cleaning up from the snowstorm. D-O-T Winter Operations Administrator, Craig Bargfrede, says they did some prep even before the storm hit.

Bargfrede says the pre-treatment helps keep the snow from sticking to the pavement — but in Tuesday’s storm, the biggest issue was the amount of snow. He says they are now working to scrape away what they didn’t get.

He says there were a lot of drivers who went into the ditch during the storm.

Snowfall ranged from four to 12 inches and Bargfrede says the day after involves making room along the roadways.

Bargfrede says one ally in the clean up is the sun heating up the pavement and melting snow.

A majority of the roadways were listed as partially covered with snow early this (Wednesday) morning — with a few completely covered. That situation has improved. For more information on the road conditions go to the Iowa D-O-T’s 5-1-1 travel information page.