Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Kum and Go convenience store chain will spend millions of dollars to make changes at more than 400 stores in 11 states to settle a lawsuit that claimed its gas stations failed to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act. A federal court judge on Thursday approved the settlement negotiated by attorneys for the company and the plaintiff from Clinton, Iowa, Gary McDermott.

RED OAK, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a southwest Iowa man is in critical condition after accidentally shooting himself in the face. Red Oak police say 28-year-old Cody Tunnell was handling a weapon Wednesday night when it went off.

DANVILLE, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a motorcycle crash involving a deer injured three people in southeast Iowa. The Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office says 23-year-old Joe Roth was traveling by motorcycle Wednesday night near Danville when he struck a deer and was knocked off his bike. Fifty-four-year-old Gail Schultz, in a separate vehicle, slowed her car after the crash. She was struck from behind by 19-year-old Emma Asher, whose vehicle went off the roadway and into a ditch. All three victims were hospitalized yesterday.

CLINTON, Iowa (AP) — A train collision involving a tractor has injured a man in eastern Iowa. The Clinton County Sheriff’s Office says 65-year-old Thomas A. Olson of Calamus was hurt in the collision Wednesday morning across a railroad track just south of U.S. 30.

Cass County Naturalist Lora Kanning reports the Cass County Conservation Board would like to thank their business sponsors Cappel’s Ace Hardware and Robinson’s True Value, for donating prizes to the Lighted Halloween Campground. The Board would also like to thank everyone who signed up to decorate a site, and thanks also for sharing your Halloween décor with everyone!

(left to right) Johnson family, Gary Vetter and Melissa Ehrman-Johnson. (Photo provided)

On Saturday October 25th at Cold Springs Park in Lewis, 192 people voted for their favorite site. The first place winner was Site 2, the Johnson (Terri Ehrman) family, second place winner was Site 4, the Vetter family, third place winner was Site 1, the Johnson family, fourth place was Nichols family and fifth place was Kinney family.

Officials with the Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR) say Iowa’s furharvester season begins at 8 a.m., Nov. 1 and hunters and trappers can expect to find a significant increase in the raccoon population over last year. Other furbearing animals have a mixed outlook population-wise.

Vince Evelsizer, furbearer and wetland biologist for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, says “Muskrat numbers are better, but not like the heyday of 30 or 40 years ago. The coyote harvest nearly doubled last year and their numbers are relatively stable to slightly lower. Our red fox numbers vary by region with better numbers in central Iowa.”

The fur market outlook is weak for raccoon pelts going in to the season, while muskrat, coyote and fox seem pretty decent. According to Evelsizer, time will tell if the market improves for raccoons later in the season. He says harvest is highest during the first 2-3 weeks of the season and drops off significantly after Thanksgiving. The number of trappers has increased each of the past four years topping 20,000 last year. And he says “I suspect the numbers of furharvesters will remain stable or slightly decrease this year, due to the fur market, especially raccoon pelt prices.”

Furharvester are reminded to work with their local DNR contact to get their CITES tag and to collect the intact skull or complete lower jaw of otters and bobcats. Evelsizer said furharvesters should go through their equipment and brush up on the rules and regulations before going out.

The Shelby County Emergency Management Agency said Thursday that a slight increase in the fire danger can be expected for the next few days. Mostly sunny skies with above average winds over the next couple of days will facilitate drying of the grass and crops.

Officials say residents should use caution when responding to field fires. Some of the low lying ground is very soft and the weight of fire fighting vehicles may result in getting stuck in places difficult to get out of.

Fire Danger signs will be moved into the “Moderate” risk category, from now through Monday November 3rd.

The Harlan Police Department, Thursday, issued a report on recent arrests. Officials say 48-year old Jeffrey Rowland, of Harlan, was arrested Monday on an active Shelby County warrant. The warrant was issued as a result of an investigation of checks allegedly forged by Rowland. The warrant was for five counts of theft 5th degree. Rowland was taken to the Shelby County Jail.

The H-PD says on Oct. 18th, charges were filed against 30-year old Ty Jordan, of Atlantic, when officers were called to 1019 7th Street for an assault. Jordan was charged with assault for allegedly striking Tammy Nelson, Kirkman, who was transported to Myrtue Medical Center for her injures. Jordan was also charged with criminal mischief 3rd degree for damage allegedly done to a vehicle. Jordan was later arrested by the Atlantic Police Department and brought to the Shelby County Jail.

On Oct. 13th, two juvenile males were arrested in Harlan and charged with criminal mischief in the 3rd degree. 11-year old’s Jonah Culp and Cash Cleaveland, both of Harlan, were charged with allegedly damaging a garage door and vandalizing the bathrooms at Potter’s Park. Both boys were referred to Shelby County Juvenile Court.

On Oct. 12th, 45-year old Curtis Scheffler, of Harlan, was charged with allowing a dog to run at large when officers took a report of the Scheffler dog biting Michael Sciranko, also of Harlan, while he was running for cross country. A complaint on running at large has been sent to the Shelby County clerk of court.

And, on Oct. 7th, 22-year old Brandon Hunt, of Shelby, was taken into custody on an active Shelby County warrant for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. Hunt was taken to the Shelby County Jail.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Officials are hoping that work to raise overpasses on Interstate 29 will reduce frequent crashes by vehicles hauling tall loads. The Sioux City Journal reports that on Tuesday, a sand silo being carried on a tractor-trailer struck the bottom of an overpass near Salix. The silo landed in the interstate’s median, and then the semitrailer struck a crane in a ditch. The driver was taken to and later released from a Sioux City hospital after the accident.

Dakin Schultz of the state’s transportation department says the overpass that was struck by the silo will soon be gone and replaced with a taller one set to open later this year. Another overpass near Salix is expected to be replaced in 2016.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — With Election Day just around the corner in the competitive Iowa Senate race, Republicans are requesting information from state and local voting officials about polling places, voting rules and recount procedures.

The GOP says it just wants to be prepared in case there is any question about the outcome between Republican Joni Ernst and Democrat Bruce Braley. The National Republican Senatorial Committee recently requested materials from the Iowa secretary of state’s office and the Ernst campaign has reached out to county auditors, seeking information.

The NRSC has made similar requests to secretary of state offices in 10 other states with tight Senate races. Democrats have not made such extensive record requests of Iowa officials. They say they are focused on winning, but will be ready for a recount situation.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Citigroup says it plans to lay off 370 employees in the Des Moines area by the middle of next year. The company tells The Des Moines Register the decision came from “ongoing efforts” to increase efficiency of its operations.

Affected employees come from the company’s consumer banking business section. They represent more than two-thirds of Citigroup’s workforce in the Des Moines area. Employees were told of the layoffs last week.

Police in Red Oak arrested a local man today (Thursday). 55-year old Darwin Eugene Schurr, of Red Oak, was taken into custody at around 11:40-a.m. on a valid Red Oak P-D warrant for Indecent Contact with a Child. Schurr was arrested at a residence on east Hammond Street and held in the Montgomery County Jail on $2,000 bond.

(12-p.m. News)

Rick Stewart (Independent for US Senate) is visiting area communities today (Thurday) for his “Let’s Talk, Iowa” Tour, which is his second campaign trip around the state (the first time was on his bicycle).

Stewart is bringing his mobile ‘living room’ to every county in Iowa to sit down and eat homemade cookies with voters and discuss real issues. His colorful campaign trailer was designed by an award winning Iowan cartoonist, Kira Layli.

Stewart will make stops at the following county courthouses today:

12:00 Guthrie Center (200 N 5th )

2:00 Greenfield (400 Public Square)

4:00 Atlantic (5 W 7th)

6:00 Audubon (318 Leroy)