Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 4:20 a.m. CDT
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Kim Reynolds acknowledges growing more comfortable with her ascent to Iowa’s job following her mentor’s appointment as U.S. ambassador to China. Reynolds officially took over Wednesday from Terry Branstad, the nation’s longest-serving governor. She had been a county official, state senator and lieutenant governor but says that until recently, she’d been reluctant to pursue the governorship.
FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) – Iowa officials hope to improve access to the Des Moines River with a plan that includes the removal of two dams. The Messenger reports that Fort Dodge city officials and Webster county officials held an open house Wednesday to review the Des Moines River and Lizard Creek Water Trails and Corridor Plan. The final report will be reviewed by city council in the coming weeks.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Des Moines’ Blank Park Zoo has seen a spate of new births in the past month. The Des Moines Register reports that the zoo’s south-side wildlife park has recently welcomed four new babies, including a Bactrian camel named Tootsie, an addax named Moana, and two common elands named Cotton and Indigo. he zoo is also awaiting the emergence of two recently-born wallaby joeys from their mother’s pouch.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A fourth person has died from injuries received in a Des Moines apartment fire. The Des Moines Register reports that a man being treated at a hospital died Friday from his injuries received in the Thursday fire that killed three others. Police have not yet released the names of those killed, only that a 57-year-old woman and a 71-year-old man were among the dead. Police say the other person killed will have to be identified using DNA testing.