Police in Council Bluffs say two men wearing bandanas robbed a convenience store around 1 a.m. Saturday. Officials say one man was armed with a knife and the other had a club, when they demanded money from a clerk at the Kum and Go near 21st Street and Fifth Avenue in Council Bluffs. Footprints in the snow led to a getaway car. Authorities are still searching for the suspects.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — As the 2014 election cycle takes shape, no clear leader has broken out in the Republican race to take on Democrat Bruce Braley in the fall. At least six candidates are competing to run against Braley, a congressman from Waterloo and only Democrat in the field. Republicans hope that weak approval ratings for President Barack Obama and his policies will boost the GOP’s chances for the seat being vacated by Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin.

Some of the state’s top Republican office-holders didn’t run, opening the doors for the lesser-known candidates, including radio host Sam Clovis; state Sen. Joni Ernst; former energy company CEO Mark Jacobs; former U.S. Attorney Matt Whitaker; lawyer Paul Lunde; and former car salesman Scott Schaben. Conservative activist Bob Vander Plaats says he’s considering a bid.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Once again, residents across Iowa are spending their weekend shoveling snow. Sunday is expected to usher in more frigid conditions, with temperatures in the single digits, dropping to below zero overnight. Meteorologists say more snow is expected across the state Monday night into Tuesday.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Department of Transportation says it has added new cameras to its 511 system to give drivers a firsthand look at road conditions along two state commuter corridors. The cameras have been added along Interstate 35 from Ankeny to Ames and on U.S. 30 from Ames to Nevada and provide streaming video and still images. Now, travelers can simply log on to WWW DOT 511IA DOT org to see the conditions on those stretches.

SWISHER, Iowa (AP) — Swisher residents will cast their votes Tuesday for the city’s next mayor. Johnson County Auditor Travis Weipert tells the Iowa City Press-Citizen that he anticipates a substantial election day turnout in the town of about 600. Chris Taylor and Randy Hurlbert are vying for the open seat.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Gabriel Olaseni had 15 points and 12 rebounds and Number 15 Iowa overcame Illinois’ furious comeback to pull out an 81-74 victory last night. The Hawkeyes led by 21 points just over 12 minutes into the game and were battering the Illini with their bench and Big Ten-best rebounding. Roy Devyn Marble led the Hawkeyes with 17 points in Champaign, Illinois.

An attempt by a Council Bluffs Police Officer to stop a vehicle for a moving violation Thursday morning turned into a brief pursuit and resulted in the arrest of two women. The Omaha World Heralds reports 26-year old Katie M.W. Morrison and passenger in her car, 28-year old Desarae L. Carroll, both of Council Bluffs, were arrested on suspicion of second-degree theft, possession of drug equipment, possession of weapons and unlawful possession of prescription drugs.

The incident began at around 1:17-a.m. Thursday, when an officer observed a 1997 Ford Taurus traveling with its headlights off, near north 32nd Street and Avenue B. The vehicle sped off and pulled into a nearby parking lot. After the women were apprehended, authorities learned the vehicle was stolen, and the women were allegedly in possession of hydrocodone, and an activated, illegal stun gun.

Firefighters from the Villisca Fire Dept responded to a structure fire Saturday evening. Crews were called to 2239 Vine Avenue (about 3 miles north/northeast of Villisca) shortly before 5:30-p.m., for a reported chimney fire.

Photo by Brian Hamman, MCEMA Director.

Brian Hamman, with the Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency, says the fire was quickly contained and damage was limited to the chimney and a small portion of the attached garage. No injuries were reported. Villisca Rescue and Red Oak Rescue also assisted on scene.

With KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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With KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest early this (Saturday) morning of a man wanted on a warrant for Felony Eluding. 21-year old Johnathan Tyler McAlpin, of Red Oak, was taken into custody at around 12:15-a.m. and brought to the Montgomery County Jail, where he was being held on $10,000 cash bond.

McAlpin was originally arrested Jan. 21st following a high-speed chase that began near Griswold during the late night hours on Jan, 20th. The chase ended in a field near Clarinda when the pickup McAplin was driving crashed. McAlpin, and a passenger in the pickup, 22-year old Alexandra Marie Sindt, of Griswold, took off on foot but were apprehended about 2-hours later.

McAlpin was initially charged in Montgomery County with felony Criminal Mischief 2nd Degree and Assault with a Deadly Weapon upon a Peace Officer, as the result of the alleged ramming of a police cruiser with the pursued vehicle. Multiple charges were also filed against McAlpin in Page and Cass Counties in association with the chase, which resulted in damage to several law enforcement vehicles.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A bill being considered by Iowa lawmakers would require that women who get mammogram exams would later be given a written statement about breast tissue density. Experts say dense breast tissue can make it harder for a mammogram to catch a possible tumor and may increase the risk of breast cancer. Bills are being considered in the Iowa House and Senate that would require Iowa’s Department of Public Health to adopt rules that breast density data would be included in mammogram reports to patients and physicians.

Dubuque Sen. Pam Jochum says the information would give women an extra sense of security. But some doctors say it could needlessly worry women and the state should leave such matters to physicians.