Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — State officials said 3,401 new cases of COVID-19 were reported Sunday to give Iowa 210,061 cases since the pandemic began. The number of deaths linked to the virus grew by 33 to 2,192. The number of people hospitalized with the virus in Iowa remained at a high level Saturday even though it declined slightly to 1,340 from the previous day’s 1,416. The state said 92 of Iowa’s 99 counties had 14-day positivity rates over 15% on Sunday, and six more counties reported rates between 10% and 15%. Iowa had the fourth-highest rate of new cases in the nation Saturday.

MONROE, Iowa (AP) — House Democrats lost enough seats in this month’s elections that they’ll have the smallest majority in over a century. To find out what happened, the party has already begun a “deep dive” examination, and so far it’s blaming a parade of missteps. They include moving too far to the left on national issues, not explaining well of how they’d fix an outbreak-ravaged economy, and failing to grow their appeal with enough Latinos. House Democrats also were hurt by curtailing in-person campaigning amid the pandemic. But a major factor was President Donald Trump’s ability to drive strong turnout.

UNDATED (AP) — Republican governors in some hard-hit states are refusing to ask families to limit Thanksgiving celebrations despite warnings from federal health officials that gatherings could worsen a coronavirus surge that’s already spinning out of control. South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem says her administration “won’t stop or discourage you from thanking God and spending time together this Thanksgiving.” Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt says people “should be with their loved ones over Thanksgiving” and that he will also attend a football game this weekend. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is pleading with Americans to gather only with people in their immediate households as infections overwhelm hospitals in many states.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The head of one of the largest health systems in the Midwest has told employees he’s recovered from COVID-19 and is back in the office, without a mask. Sanford Health’s CEO, Kelby Krabbenhoft, said in an email Wednesday that he believes he’s now immune for “at least seven months.” And he says he isn’t a threat to transmit it, so wearing a mask would be merely for show. Krabbenhoft’s email comes as hospitals throughout the region are struggling. Other Sanford Health executives tried to walk his statement back, saying in an email Friday that his words don’t reflect the views of the system as a whole.

A collision in southern Iowa’s Lucas County Sunday evening, claimed the lives of two teenagers, and resulted three adults ranging in age from 18 to 55, being injured. The Iowa State Patrol says the crash happened at around 5:10-p.m. in Chariton. A 2008 Ford F-250 pickup driven by 55-year-old Shawn Blanchard, of Des Moines, was traveling west on Highway 34 and approaching S. 1st Street, at the same time a 1995 Jeep Wrangler driven by 18-year-old Blake Skinner, of Corydon, was traveling east, and attempting to turn north onto S. 1st Street.

When the Jeep turned in front of the pickup and was struck broadside, it rolled over, ejecting Blake Skinner and his two passengers, 16-year-old Chase Lavely, Chariton, and 15-year-old Kaitlynn Spicer, of Des Moines. The passengers died at the scene. None of the Jeep occupants were wearing seat belts.

Blake Skinner suffered life threatening injuries and transported by helicopter to Mercy Hospital in downtown Des Moines. Blanchard’s passenger, 55-year-old Angel Blanchard, of Des Moines, was also flown to Mercy hospital. Shawn Blanchard suffered minor injuries, and was transported by Chariton Ambulance to the hospital in Chariton. The Blanchard’s were wearing their seat belts.

Chariton Police assisted the Patrol at the accident scene.

Officials with West Des Moines-based Hy-Vee have announced the chain will bring back special hours for customers who are high-risk as COVID-19 cases rise in Iowa. The company took to social media to announce that customers over 60 years old, pregnant mothers and those with underlying health conditions are welcome to shop from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. Monday through Friday. “We kindly ask that all other customers please respect this hour and limit shopping to 8 a.m. or after on these days,” Hy-Vee wrote on Facebook.

DAVENPORT – Officials with the Iowa Department of Corrections, Sunday, said 36-year-old David Lee Reinier Sr., who was convicted of Arson 1st Degree and other crimes in Muscatine County, failed to report back to the Davenport Residential Facility as required Saturday night.

David Lee Reinier, Sr.

Reinier is a white male, height 5’9″, and weighs 319 pounds. He was admitted to the work release facility on November 10, 2020. Persons with information on Reinier’s whereabouts should contact local police.