A new poll finds six-term Republican Senator Chuck Grassley holding a “comfortable” double-digit lead over Democratic challenger Patty Judge. The Quinnipiac University Poll found Grassley had the support of 56 percent of those surveyed, compared to 38 percent support for Judge. That’s an 18 point lead. Sixty-percent of independent voters and 95 percent of Iowa Republicans surveyed support Grassley.

Grassley had a 33 percent advantage among male voters. He also had an edge among women, but it was narrower, at seven percent. The Quinnipiac Poll may provide a glimpse into early voting trends in Iowa. Judge holds a 15-point lead over Grassley among Iowans who’ve already voted. That suggests Democrats may hold a double-digit lead in over-all absentee balloting in the state.

The Quinnipiac Poll results announced yesterday on the presidential race in Iowa found 61 percent of the state’s early voters support Clinton, compared to 27 percent who’ve voted for Trump.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:53 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Des Moines police have charged a woman with election misconduct after officials reported she voted twice. Des Moines police Sgt. Paul Parizek says officers charged 55-year-old Terri Rote with first-degree election misconduct Thursday after being notified by elections officials that she had submitted two absentee ballots. She was booked into the Polk County Jail and released after posting a bond. Polk County Attorney John Sarcone says it one of the few examples he’s seen of alleged voter fraud.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say the driver injured earlier this month when his tanker truck burst into flames at an ethanol plant in Council Bluffs has died. John Ticer with the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Office says 61-year-old Kenneth Dale Krumwiede of Walthill, Nebraska, died Sunday at an Omaha hospital.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A state board has voted to pursue open records complaints against Burlington police and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation over records regarding a fatal shooting. The Iowa Public Information Board voted 5-3 Thursday to reinstate charges in connection to investigative records about an officer’s accidental shooting of Burlington resident Autumn Steel in January 2015. Authorities say they properly released records as required by law.

NORWALK, Iowa (AP) — A fifth-grade teacher in central Iowa has been named the state’s teacher of the year. Education officials announced Friday that Shelly Vroegh of Lakewood Elementary School in Norwalk was selected as the 2017 Iowa Teacher of the Year. Four other teachers were named as finalists. Officials at a Friday press conference highlighted her work as a district mentor and elementary math curriculum leader.

A man who allegedly tried to set a car on fire in Council Bluffs Friday evening, was arrested shortly afterward for Arson in the 2nd Degree, and on a Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance. Council Bluffs Police said Friday 24-year old Marquez Sanders, of Council Bluffs, was taken into custody at around 5:40-p.m., after Officers investigated a disturbance at 1435 North 15^th Street.

Marquez Sanders

During their investigation, Officers spoke with 52-year old Mark Van Outry, of Council Bluffs, who said that he was in a verbal disturbance with Sanders.  Sanders left the building after the disturbance, and when he went outside of the building, allegedly took a towel and lit it on fire before placing the towel inside a 2000 Mercury Sable, owned by Mark Van Outry.

Bystanders were able to extinguish the fire.  Sanders was located by officers as he was leaving the scene.  He was booked into Pottawattamie County Corrections.  The investigation was a coordinated effort between the Council Bluffs Police Department and the Council Bluffs Fire Department.

An investigation into an accident that took place March 22nd in Taylor County, has led to a Homicide by Vehicle charge. The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office says on Oct. 20th, criminal charges were filed against 47-year old Rachael Dawn Reed, of Lenox. The accident claimed the life of 47-year old Teresa Moses, of Lenox. Reed is expected in Taylor County Court for an initial appearance on November 3rd.

The accident happened  at around 4:12-p.m., March 22nd. Authorities say Reed, who was 46-years old at the time, was traveling west on 130th Street near Yellowstone Avenue in Taylor County, when she lost control of the 2005 Kia Sorrento on the gravel. The car rolled several times. Three occupants of the vehicle, who were not wearing their seat belts, were ejected, while a fourth person was trapped in the vehicle.

One of the victims, Theresa Moses, wass taken by air to Des Moines where she later died from her injuries. 54-year old Junior Chumbley, Jr., and 32-year old Kyle Gile were flown to hospitals in Des Moines. Rachel Reed was taken by ambulance to Creston.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a driver injured earlier this month when his tanker truck burst into flames at an ethanol plant in Council Bluffs has died. John Ticer with the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Office says 61-year-old Kenneth Dale Krumwiede, of Walthill, Nebraska, died Sunday at an Omaha hospital.

Ticer says the investigation into what caused the Oct. 7th fire and explosion continues. Officials are meeting with engineers at the facility next week to determine the cause. Firefighters from multiple nearby departments were called to contain the fire, which required special foam to extinguish the ethanol-fueled flames.

Page County Sheriff Lyle Palmer reports his deputies, Thursday, recovered a vehicle stolen from Taylor County. The gray, 2004 Chevy Silverado pickup with Iowa License number EFB 703, was recovered approximately 6 miles southeast of Shenandoah. That same day, a black and silver 1996 Ford F-150 with Iowa license plate BOP 965, was recovered about five-miles north of Shenandoah. It had been stolen from Council Bluffs. Anyone with information about the crimes is asked to call the Page County Sheriff’s Office @ 712-542-5193, the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office @ 712-523-2153, or their local Law Enforcement Agency

And, on October 25th, the Page County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a burglary that had occurred at 2490 Fremont Avenue.  An investigation determined a person or persons unknown entered the shed after cutting the paddle lock.  Some of the items stolen include a Generator, and a metal cutting chop saw.  Anyone with information on this crime is asked to contact the Page County Sheriff’s Office at 712-542-5193, or their local Law Enforcement Agency.

The Iowa State Patrol says the driver of a motorcycle was injured this (Friday) afternoon, when he struck a chunk of asphalt that had broken off the side of the road. The asphalt piece at some point came to rest near the center of the I-80 eastbound off-ramp at the Minden exit. The motorcycle, a 2004 Harley Davidson, struck the debris at around 12:48-p.m. and went out of control, causing the driver, 57-year old Christopher Mathison, of Council Bluffs, to be ejected from the machine. Mathison was transported by Minden Rescue to Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs.

The Atlantic Police Department reports the A-PD, in conjunction with the Atlantic Fire Department, Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Cass County Emergency Management Agency, Atlantic Medivac, and the Iowa State Patrol, will be conducting an “Active Intruder” drill next Friday, Nov. 4th, at the Atlantic High School.Officials stress that “There are currently no known threats of violence to any schools or facilities within the area. This is strictly A DRILL.

The drill will begin shortly after 10-a.m., and will include and “ALERT” from the principal’s office, notifying everyone in the building of the “Danger Zone.” Those area affected in the “Danger Zone,” will be practicing “Lockdown/Barricade,” and discussing alternate exits from the classroom.

The principal will continue to “Inform” everyone of any changes to the “Danger Zone.” “Counter,” which was taught in previous lessons, will not be practiced in the first drill. Classrooms not in the “Danger Zone,” will practice the preferred response, “Evacuation.”

To ensure participant safety, certain intersections and roads surrounding the Atlantic High School, specifically the area of E. 14th Street, will be temporarily blocked-off and inaccessible. The closures include: Eastbound traffic on 14th Street from Olive Street; 14th and Roosevelt Streets; 14th and Lincoln Streets; 14th and Mulberry; 14th and Cherry; 14th and Plum, and westbound traffic on 14th Street from Redwood Drive.

If you have any questions about the Nov. 4th “Active Intruder” Drill at the Atlantic High School, contact High School Principal Heather McKay, Asst. Principal Matt Alexander, or Atlantic Police Lt. Dave Erickson.

Officials with the Cass County Health System (CCHS) say enrollment for Healthcare Marketplace Exchange consumers will open on November 1st, and help is available through regional ACA (Affordable Care Act) Navigators. ACA Navigators work one-on-one with individuals to complete enrollment, weigh options, and answer questions on Marketplace plans and Medicaid. Abbey Stangl, CCHS Chief Financial Officer, says “We are happy to host the Navigators at CCHS, and we encourage customers to make an appointment as soon as possible.”

All prior year’s enrollees are strongly encouraged to meet with the ACA Navigator to update information and review new plans available on the healthcare.gov website. December 15th is the last day to enroll for coverage to start on January 1st, and January 31st is the final day to sign up for 2017 coverage.

All meetings with the Navigators are by appointment only, and they are private. Consumers are asked to bring important information with them, such as addresses, social security numbers, income information, and policy numbers for any current health insurance plans for all members of the household. Also, if you have an existing account in the Marketplace, bring your login information for access during your appointment.

The private appointments will be held at Cass County Health System in Conference Room 6, which is easily accessible from the Emergency Department entrance by Parking Lot C. For more information or to make an appointment, please call either Melissa Namanny at 712-250-8111 or Val Gifford at 712-250-8047.

Available appointment times are on:

·        Saturday, November 12th from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm

·        Wednesday, November 23rd from 9:00 am to Noon

·        Tuesday, December 6th from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm

·        Saturday, December 10th from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm

·        Tuesday, January 10th from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

·        Saturday, January 21st from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm

·        Thursday, January 26th from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Additional dates and times can be arranged by appointment as well.

NORWALK, Iowa (AP) – A fifth-grade teacher in central Iowa has been named the state’s teacher of the year. Education officials announced Friday that Shelly Vroegh  of Lakewood Elementary School in Norwalk was selected as the 2017 Iowa Teacher of the Year. Four others were named as finalists.

The 43-year-old Vroegh, a teacher with 20 years of experience, is also an instructional coach. Officials at a Friday press conference highlighted her work as a district mentor and elementary math curriculum leader. Vroegh was also credited with coordinating a summer reading program.

The Iowa Teacher of the Year award was established in 1958. Honorees of the annual program serve as education ambassadors across the state.