Three of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nate Boulton’s rivals are calling on him to exit the race after The Des Moines Register published allegations from three women who say Boulton touched them inappropriately. Thirty-eight-year-old Nate Boulton issued a written statement early Wednesday afternoon. He apologized to the women, but added that he “doesn’t have the same recollection” of the incidents they described to the newspaper. Later Wednesday, Boulton told W-O-I Television he was “hurt and embarased…and more than a little surprised” when he read The Register’s article about an incident in 2015 and two others from Boulton’s college days.

Democratic gubernatorial candidates Cathy Glasson, Andy McGuire and Ross Wilburn have all called for Boulton to withdraw from the race. At the beginning o of the day, Boulton had the endorsements of 23 state legislators, but by midnight a handful publicly withdrew their backing and urged Boulton to end his campaign. Senator Pam Jochum, a Democrat from Dubuque who appears in a Boulton campaign ad, said the allegations of sexual misconduct against Boulton are “serious and compeling” and, while Jochum did not directly call for Boulton to end his campaign, Jochum said: “he has an important decision to make.”

Andy McGuire, the former chairwoman of the Iowa Democratic Party, says it’s not enough for Boulton “to apologize and move on.” McGuire says Boulton should “lead by example” and end his campaign. The other men running for governor all say they do not tolerate sexual harassment. Ross Wilburn says if Boulton winds up as Iowa Democrats’ nominee for governor, there’d a “cloud” hanging over the party.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:35 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa newspaper reports three women have accused a Democratic state senator running for governor of sexual misconduct that includes inappropriate touching. The women told The Des Moines Register in a report published Wednesday that Sen. Nate Boulton of Des Moines touched them inappropriately during separate incidents. Boulton released a statement apologizing to the women but indicated he had no plans to drop out of the race.

JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) — A Johnston mother who was sentenced to two years’ probation for leaving her children home alone to travel to Europe is appealing. The Des Moines Register reports that 31-year-old Erin Lee Macke filed an appeal on May 14. Police were called to Macke’s home in September and found her kids _ two 12-year-olds, a 7-year-old and a 6-year-old _ had been left alone the day before. Police say Macke failed to make proper child care arrangements before leaving Sept. 20 for a 10-day vacation in Germany.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Backers of a $117 million plan to bring recreation to downtown Des Moines say the rivers project would create a network of 80 water trails across central Iowa. The project centerpiece would be a series of whitewater features that would replace three dangerous low-head dams along the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers. Project backers have discussed it with Iowa’s congressional members, hoping to secure a third of the cost through state and federal grants.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A Democratic candidate for Iowa Secretary of State has been running a political action committee that is supporting his campaign despite a state law that appears to ban the practice. Jim Mowrer has continued to serve as treasurer of The Majority Rules, which has donated to and endorsed Mowrer’s campaign. A Republican Party activist alleges the relationship violates an Iowa law that bars candidates from directing political committees. A lawyer for Mowrer’s campaign says the law doesn’t apply.

The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education held a Special Meeting Wednesday in the Middle School Media Center. During their brief session, the Board approved Superintendent Steve Barber’s recommendation for 2018-19 Administrator contracts, which calls for no increase to the total compensation amount received in 2017-18. That does not include an increase in IPERS contribution due to a rate increase starting July 1st, 2018. The IPERS increase amounts to $2,075.

They also approved his recommended 2018-19 Other Contracts, for which there is a 1.71% total package increase (Including IPERS and FICA). The agreement covers Central Office Staff, Technology Staff and all Directors, including the Business Manager. The amount ($12,842) represents the figure settled with the Employees Association.

When it came time to approve Superintendent Barber’s recommend 2018-19 Coaches/Sponsors Continuing Contracts, however, Board member Josh McLaren suggested the matter be tabled. McLaren said there is a potential personnel issue that could not be discussed in an open forum. The matter was tabled to a Closed Session to be held 7:30-a.m. Tuesday, May 29^th.

In other business, the Atlantic School Board approved 15 Superintendent’s Contract recommendations for personnel. That includes the following:

• Terry Hinzmann, Jedd Sherman and Karen Vogel, HS Summer School Teachers
• Mallory Kirchhoff, HS Summer School Para
• Sue Petersen, HS Voc Rehab Para
• Rob Hansen, Volunteer Baseball Coach
• Bryce Casey, 7th grade FB Coach/Summer Grounds
• Pat Wiederien and Taylor Williams, CO HS Student Council Sponsors
• Emily Mitchell, Volunteer Softball Coach
• Montana Applegate, WA Extended School Year Teacher
• Angela Behrens and Lori Namanny, 5-hour Summer Lunch Positions
• Kimberly Denning, Link Center/6-12 Classroom
• Jenny Madsen, MS Extended Year Program.

They also approved a Copier/printer lease with Access, that would replace all 26 copiers with new machines at the same lease cost, and save the District money in the price per printed color and black/white copies to the tune of about $30,000 the first year over the current year, where the District has been paying overage costs for excess printing. It would also extend the lease by three more years.

The Board also approved a contract with Camblin Mechanical to replace a heat pump at the High School, as part of the Summer Projects. The $11,183 cost would be paid for through the PPEL/SAVE Fund. And finally, the School Board agreed to dispose of a Suburban that is no longer safe to drive. They opted to sell the vehicle for scrap, rather than take bids.

An accident in Harrison County late Wednesday morning resulted in a woman’s death and injuries to another woman and a man. The Iowa State Patrol reports 74-year old Marie Carveth Bryan, of Mondamin, died in a crash between her SUV and a Chevy Trailblazer. The accident happened at around 11:15-a.m. about six-miles west of Missouri Valley.

Officials say Bryan’s 2014 Nissan Rogue was traveling north on Austin Avenue and attempting to pass two semi’s, at the same time a 2008 Chevy Trailblazer driven by 62-year old Deborah Anne Davey, of Modale, was traveling southbound on Austin Avenue. The SUV’s collided head-on in the southbound lane.

Both SUV’s came to rest on the west shoulder of the road. Marie Bryan died at the scene. Davey, and her passenger, 61-year old Scott Davey, of Modale, were injured and flown by Life Net helicopter to UNMC in Omaha. All of the crash victims were wearing their seat belts.

The accident remains under investigation.