DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — California Sen. Kamala Harris is announcing the backing of Iowa Democrat Deidre DeJear as she travels to the early 2020 caucus state Monday. DeJear was Iowa’s first African American to win a primary for statewide office last year, but lost in her attempt to unseat Iowa’s Republican secretary of state. DeJear has since been courted by several Democrats taking steps toward running for president.

Harris campaigned with DeJear in Iowa last fall after the two met in Washington, D.C., and California. Harris is scheduled to travel to Des Moines to participate in a CNN town hall-style event live this ( Monday) evening. Harris announced her candidacy for president Jan. 21. She also announced that Will Dubbs, a former aide to Hillary Clinton in 2016, will direct the California senator’s 2020 Iowa campaign.

(Radio Iowa) — Des Moines police are looking into a crash yesterday (Sunday) afternoon that killed the driver and left his son injured. Police say the car was driving along Grand Avenue near the governor’s mansion when it went out of control, over a concrete retaining wall and crashed onto a parking lot below. The driver, 32-year-old Grant Stokka of Des Moines, was killed, while his eight-year-old son survived with minor injuries. Investigators say it does NOT appear speed, road conditions or impairment were factors, but they believe another vehicle may’ve caused Stokka to quickly veer. Witnesses are asked to come forward.

NEW LONDON, Iowa (AP) — A conference room at a southeast Iowa school has been turned into a food pantry for students and their families. The Hawk Eye reports that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Bank of Iowa and local community groups helped launch the food pantry at New London School District in December. Families in the district with a student in kindergarten through 12th grade can use the food pantry, which is open on Thursdays. About 30 families have used the resource so far.

Students can also access the pantry during the school day if they’re hungry. The elementary school’s principal, Todd Palmatier, says the district hopes to expand the program by hosting cooking nights where families can learn to cook meals with food from the pantry.

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

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Medivac ambulance was dispatched this (Monday) morning to a reported multiple-injury accident on Interstate 80 near the Cass-Pottawattamie County line. The call about the crash on I-80 eastbound at mile marker 49, went out at around 7:53-a.m. Walnut Rescue also responded to the scene. According to the DOT, the right lane is blocked in that area. No other details are currently available.

There’s also word of a crash on Highway 44, one-mile east of Kimballton. The DOT says to expect delays in travel on that stretch of road.

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — A second man has been charged in a fatal shooting in a car outside the home of the victim’s mother in Burlington. Authorities say 44-year-old Derrick Parker is charged in Des Moines County with first-degree murder and with conspiracy to commit a forcible felony. He’d been in Illinois custody on a conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Parker and Antoine Spann, of Dalton, Illinois, are accused in the slaying of 26-year-old Demarcus “Peanut” Chew, who was shot to death Sept. 10, 2017. Spann has pleaded not guilty to murder and conspiracy. His trial is scheduled to begin March 12.

Firefighters with the Elk Horn Fire Department were dispatched to a house fire southwest of Elk Horn, at around 4:12-a.m. today (Monday). Officials tell KJAN News the fire started on the front porch at 2511 600th Street. The resident used a fire extinguisher to put out most of the flames prior to fire crews’ arrival. There were no injuries reported.

The 7:20-a.m. Sportscast with Chris Parks.

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A central Iowa man died early this (Monday) morning, during a crash in northwest Des Moines. The Iowa State Patrol reports 31-year old Joshua Todd Peterson, of Johnston, was traveling westbound at a high rate of speed on Interstate 80 about a mile west of the Johnston exit, when his 1998 Pontiac Grand Am hit a light pole. Peterson, who was wearing a seat belt, was ejected during the crash and died at the scene. The crash happened at around 12:45-a.m.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The National Weather Service says high winds whipping eastern Nebraska and western Iowa could knock down trees and limbs and knock out power to thousands of people. The service has issued high wind warnings and advisories to the area for Monday. The sustained winds are blowing 30 mph to 45 mph, with gusts up to 65 mph. Forecasters say travel will be tough, especially for high-profile vehicles. The high winds also will make the low temperatures feel even colder.

Omaha Public Power District says 415 customers were without power at 7:15 a.m. MidAmerican Energy reports fewer than 100 customers were without power on the west side of Iowa. Snow and low temperatures prompted some schools to close or start late in eastern Iowa.