DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Des Moines man convicted of fatally stabbing his brother has been sentenced to up to 50 years in prison. The Des Moines Register reports that 51-year-old Shawn Davis was sentenced Thursday. In April, a Polk County jury found Davis guilty of second-degree murder for fatally stabbing his 35-year-old brother, Preston Davis, on Aug. 5, 2017, during a family gathering. They had been arguing and Shawn Davis punched his brother. Police say Shawn Davis then retrieved a knife and stabbed Preston in the home’s driveway as Preston and another person were leaving.

Shawn Davis’ criminal history includes a second-degree murder conviction for the October 1986 shooting death of 27-year-old Thomas Law. His sentence was reduced after the Iowa Court of Appeals ordered a new trial in 1989, and he later received a 12-year-sentence for voluntary manslaughter.

Mills County Emergency Management and the Mills County Engineer, Thursday evening, announced additional road closures for Western Mills County. Lambert Avenue is now closed from 195th St. West to the Plattsmouth Bridge, eliminating access to the Plattsmouth Bridge. Roads have become inundated with water throughout the area South of Gaston Avenue to the Mills/Fremont County line and West of Interstate 29 to the Missouri River.

Road access remains open from 195th St. South of Lambert to Nims Road. Road closures on the East side of I29 include 195th St. South of Hwy 34 to Pacific Junction and Ingrahm West of 195th. Road closures can be monitored by using this link: https://www.iceasb.org/roads/county/

Officials said water levels had risen substantially over the previous 24-hours, Thursday. The Missouri River was last reported to be at 31.17 feet, with predictions of very little decrease until June 6th. Gavin’s Point Dam is increasing output to 75,000 CFS on 6/1/19 and plans to maintain that level for the near future. Areas of the levee that were damaged but not breached in the previous flood are now being stressed by significant river rise. Levee breaches have not been repaired and are allowing free river access.

Glenwood Municipal District Water Treatment Plant has implemented emergency precautions to protect their system against potential flooding. HESCO Barriers have been placed to complete the berm protection around the facility and 2 generators are on site to provide power if needed. Vinton’s Campground has removed all trailers effective today. MidAmerican Energy has shut off power West of I29 between Gaston Ave. and Lambert Ave, S. of Hwy 34 along 195th St. and is working to shut off power S. of Nims Road.

Residents of the City of Pacific Junction and the surrounding area are urged to be vigilant for rising water and be prepared to implement a plan to assure safety should they need to quickly evacuate. Have a plan and be ready to put it into action. Questions regarding road closures or needs for assistance with evacuation can be directed to 712-527-4871.

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), chairman of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy as well as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee issued the following statement in regard to President Trump’s threat to place a new tariff on Mexico:

“It’s clear that we need to address the unprecedented flow of illegal immigrants coming across our border day in and day out; and it’s imperative that Mexico step up and do its part to stop the stream of these migrants. That being said, the livelihoods of Iowa farmers and producers are at stake. The USMCA would provide much-needed certainty to our agriculture community, at a time when they need it. If the president goes through with this, I’m afraid progress to get this trade agreement across the finish line will be stifled. While I support the need for comprehensive border security and a permanent fix to illegal immigration, this isn’t the right path forward. I’m asking the president to reconsider, and for Democrats to work with us to find a solution to the humanitarian crisis at our southern border.”

(Radio Iowa) — A woman who many consider to be a presidential candidate of the future will be the keynote speaker at Senator Joni Ernst’s fundraiser next month. Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley was the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations for the past two years. Ernst and Haley recorded a brief video about the 5th annual Roast and Ride fundraiser for Ernst’s 2020 campaign.

File photo: Sen. Joni Ernst on the 2016 “Roast and Ride.” (photo from Radio Iowa)

“I’m so excited to be supporting Joni and can’t wait to see all the Harley riders and go see everybody in Iowa,” Haley said. “We’re going to have a blast.”

Haley left her role as U.N. Ambassador at the end of 2018. She has a book coming out in November. It’s titled “With All Due Respect: Defending America with Grit and Grace.” Haley, the daughter of immigrants from India, is the first woman and first minority to be elected South Carolina’s governor. She endorsed Marco Rubio before the 2016 South Carolina Primary.

After Rubio exited the race, Haley backed Ted Cruz. Haley tamped down speculation she might challenge Trump in 2020 and has endorsed Trump’s bid for a second term.

(Radio Iowa) — Temporary barriers in Hamburg that have been keeping floodwater at bay have been extended. An earthen berm was built along the western side of Hamburg after March flooding swamped the city and three feet of dirt was added to the top of the berm this week. Fremont County Emergency Management coordinator Mike Crecelius says Hesco barriers in the center of Hamburg have been fortified as well.

“Where the city had installed the first set of Hesco bags, the Corps has gone in there and reinstalled a double set of Hesco bags,” Crecelius says, “so that if the water does get into town, hopefully the Hesco bags hold up and it’ll only get that far.”

After making some progress in recovery efforts, previously flooded areas in southwest Iowa are being flooded again due to recent heavy rains. Travel in the area is dicey. Many roads that were cleared and reopened are closed again due to this new round of flooding. Crecelius says sight-seers are another concern.

“With the Hesco bags set up down there, we don’t need a bunch of traffic going through there and possibly damaging or destroying that barrier that the Corps of Engineers has set up for the city,” Crecelius says. A new weather pattern would be welcome, according to Crecelius.

“A lot of nice warm days and a nice summer breeze would be nice right about now,” Crecelius says. “It would help some things dry out and might help evaporate a little bit of this water. Not a whole lot of it, but some of it would be evaporated for us.” Crecelius says more than 10-and-a-half inches of rain has fallen in the Hamburg area this month, making the flood situation even worse.