SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg) wants to increase opportunities for national service and build a network of 1 million service members by 2026. The South Bend, Indiana, mayor introduced his national service policy on Wednesday. He says the voluntary plan would help people of different backgrounds form connections like the ones he formed while serving with the Navy Reserve in Afghanistan.

Buttigieg’s plan would add funding for existing federal programs like AmeriCorps and increase the number of opportunities from 75,000 to 250,000, which would cost $20 billion over 10 years. It also would create new service organizations such as a Climate Corps. Buttigieg’s campaign hasn’t provided a cost for that part or said how it intends to pay for the plan.

The 2026 deadline coincides with the 250th anniversary of America’s independence.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa State Patrol is refusing to release the findings of its investigation into a supervisor whose residency and receipt of $40,000 in relocation benefits were challenged. Patrol spokesman Nathan Ludwig says the investigation into Lt. Joel Ehler is complete but that the findings are a confidential personnel record. Ehler declined comment when contacted in his office in Council Bluffs, where he remains the patrol’s district manager

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Florida man accused of operating a pyramid scheme that cost 17 Iowans about $51,000 has agreed to repay the money and is prohibited from participating in any business operation involving mail or phone solicitations in the state. Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller says he investigated Jhon Palacio, who also goes by the name Richard Diamond Sr., after receiving complaints.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The amount of water flowing into the lower Missouri River will remain high throughout the summer and fall, and that water will likely continue to exacerbate flooding downstream. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says it plans to keep releases from Gavins Point Dam on the Nebraska-South Dakota border near current levels _ which are more than double what is typical _ throughout summer.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Democrat Theresa Greenfield has raised more than $625,000 for her campaign against Republican Sen. Joni Ernst in less than a month since launching her bid. Greenfield, a Des Moines-area businesswoman, announced her campaign for Senate on June 3. Her campaign emphasized its grassroots support in its first fundraising report, touting that 85% of her contributions were $100 or less and that she’s received contributions from 96 of Iowa’s 99 counties.

Red Oak Police, Tuesday afternoon, arrested 36-year old Joseph Aaron Nelson, of Red Oak, for Possession of drug paraphernalia. Nelson, who was also arrested Sunday afternoon for violating a no contact order, and Monday afternoon on two counts of child endangerment, was booked into the Montgomery County Jail and held on $300 bond.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Democrat Theresa Greenfield has raised more than $625,000 for her campaign against Republican Sen. Joni Ernst in less than a month since launching her bid.

Greenfield, a Des Moines-area businesswoman who touts her rural roots as the daughter of a farmer, announced her campaign for Senate on June 3. Her campaign emphasized its grassroots support in its first fundraising report, touting that 85% of her contributions were $100 or less and that she’s received contributions from 96 of Iowa’s 99 counties.

Greenfield is one of three Democrats competing to take on Ernst. She has received endorsements from national and local Democratic groups. A handful of surveys have shown Ernst enjoying a positive approval rating from Iowans, but she remains a top target for national Democrats.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The amount of water flowing into the lower Missouri River will remain high throughout the summer and fall, and that water will likely continue to exacerbate flooding downstream.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says it plans to keep releases from Gavins Point Dam on the Nebraska-South Dakota border near current levels — which are more than double the average amount.

The high releases will likely continue worsening flooding downstream — in Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri and Kansas — where many levees were damaged during severe March flooding.

Officials say the releases of 70,000 cubic feet per second of water are needed because the upstream reservoirs remain quite full. The amount of water entering the dams in June was 159 percent of normal, and it has been a wet year.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa State Patrol is refusing to release the findings of its investigation into a supervisor whose residency and receipt of $40,000 in relocation benefits were challenged. Patrol spokesman Nathan Ludwig said Tuesday that the investigation into Lt. Joel Ehler is completed but that the findings are completely confidential. Ehler declined comment when contacted at his office in Council Bluffs, where he remains the patrol’s district manager.

The patrol opened the investigation after an anonymous complaint in May alleged that Ehler didn’t fully relocate when he was transferred to Council Bluffs in 2017 as required by department policy. Ludwig pledged then the patrol would investigate “the allegation and all surrounding facts and circumstances.”

Records obtained by The Associated Press show Ehler received $40,000 in relocation benefits to sell his Adel home in 2018 and move after the transfer. But instead of moving toward Council Bluffs, Ehler began claiming a new home in West Des Moines as his home for tax purposes.

Ehler has told the department that he was also renting a place near Council Bluffs, but the complaint alleged he wasn’t there on weekends as required.

Our sister station KNOD in Harlan reports a man who had been riding a motorcycle was found dead Sunday, after he crashed on a Pottawattamie County road near the Shelby County line. According to the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, 56-year old John Enyeart, of Kansas City, MO., was found near L34 and Pinoak Road at around 4:45-p.m., Sunday.

Chief Deputy Rob Ambrose said Enyeart had been reported missing on Saturday. According to Ambrose, Enyeart failed to negotiate a curve while riding his motorcycle. There was no indication of another vehicle or individual being involved.

The Pottawattamie County Medical Examiner’s Office will perform an autopsy to determine the official cause of death. Enyeart was a temporary resident of the area who was working as a contractor.

A man from Audubon died from injuries he suffered in a UTV accident that took place at around 7:50-p.m. Saturday in eastern Iowa’s Poweshiek County. According to the Iowa State Patrol, 49-year old Brian Rustvold, of Audubon, died in the rollover accident. His wife and passenger, Rene [Frampton] Rustvold was not seriously injured.

The accident happened in rural Montezuma, as Brian Rustvold was operating a 2016 Polaris Ranger UTV northbound on Centerpoint Drive, a private roadway at Lake Ponderosa in rural Montezuma. The Patrol says he failed to properly negotiate a curve in the road, causing the vehicle to enter into an uncontrolled slide. As the UTV left the west side of the roadway, the tires caught traction, causing the vehicle to roll onto the driver’s side.

Brian Rustvold was partially ejected from the machine through its open doorway, and became trapped under the roll-cage and roof. He was transported from the scene by Montezuma Ambulance to Unity Point Hospital in Grinnell, but died enroute. Rene Rustvold was transported to the hospital by private vehicle. The accident remains under investigation, but the patrol says a lack of seat belt usage, speed, and alcohol consumption prior to the crash appeared to have been contributing factors.

Funeral services for Brian Rustvold will be held 10:30-a.m. Saturday, July 6th, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, in Audubon.

The Harlan Police Department reports two men were arrested on separate warrants, Monday. 33-year old Benjamin John James Grulke, of Prairie City, was arrested on an active Jasper County warrant for Trespassing resulting in injury or damage. And, 48-year old Timothy Thomas Sorensen, of Harlan, was arrested on an active Shelby County warrant for Probation Violation. Both men were transported to the Shelby County Jail.

AtlanticFest, presented by First Whitney Bank, will be held Saturday, August 10th and is a rain or shine event. AtlanticFest is an annual festival that serves as a fundraiser for the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce. Chamber officials say AtlanticFest is a great event where people can spend the day with the community while supporting local businesses, civic organizations and the Chamber.

Downtown Atlantic will be filled with fun activities for the whole family to enjoy. Come early and enjoy a pancake breakfast or start the day off with a run through Schildberg Recreation Area in the Annual Road Race with chip timing coming back this year. The Annual Tractor Ride will also be taking place, kicking off at the Cass County Fair Grounds at 8 AM. There will be crafters from all over Southwest Iowa, as well as some of the best food vendors to help satisfy any appetite. Kids and families can enjoy a Carnival or jump in the bounce houses. The 21st Annual Car Show and 6th Motorcycle Show will be taking place once again this year. And with free entertainment throughout the day, you can’t go wrong.

Pre-Registration for the Car Show, Motorcycle Show and Road Race are going on now through July 26th at noon. Registration for Craft and Food Vendors are going on now through July 31st at noon. If you are interested in being a part of AtlanticFest, please visit www.atlanticiowa.com or call the Chamber at 712.243.3017.