Officials with the National Weather Service in Des Moines this (Tuesday) morning, report that one of the widespread rainiest 7-day forecast periods in quite some time is expected across Iowa this week. Starting today, showers and thunderstorms will move across Iowa from west to east.

We will get a break from the rain on Wednesday, before moderate to heavy rainfall moves in during the day Thursday, lasting overnight into much of Friday. Officials say this time period will likely bring the highest rainfall totals to Iowa during this week, primarily along and south of Interstate 80. Urban and small streams may flood, and flash flooding/river flooding cannot be ruled out at this time.

Temperatures this week will generally be in the upper 60s to mid 70s. As of now, it appears the middle of next week could bring our first round of true “fall-like” weather, as low temperatures may be in the 30s, with highs struggling to break out of the 50s. There’s a lot of time between now and next week, so stay tuned!

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A Des Moines man faces an assault charge after authorities say he bit off another man’s earlobe. The Des Moines Register reports that 42-year-old George Thomas Chambers was arrested Sunday on an assault causing bodily injury charge. Police say Chambers bit off the man’s ear during an Aug. 21 fight.

He later allegedly told police, “I’m Mike Tyson,” a reference to the professional boxer who famously bit Evander Holyfield’s ear during a 1997 fight. Authorities say Chambers’ accuser initially didn’t want to press charges, but later changed his mind and contacted police. Police issued a warrant that led to Chambers’ arrest on Sunday.

A welfare check on a man found sleeping on a bench in Red Oak early this (Tuesday) morning, resulted in his arrest. Red Oak Police say Officers witnessed 22-year old David Andrew Watson, of Red Oak, asleep on a bench in the area of N. 4th and E. Coolbaugh Streets, at around 2:10-a.m.  Watson was subsequently placed under arrest for Public Intoxication and transported to the Montgomery County Jail, where his bond was set at $300.

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

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Some Iowa lawmakers are turning their attention to opioid abuse in the state, though it’s unclear what action they may take next legislative session. A committee will meet at the state Capitol this month to discuss the issue, including a new report from the University of Iowa with recommendations to reduce opioid overdoses and deaths. Rep. David Heaton, a Mount Pleasant Republican leading the committee, says he expects bipartisan support next year for legislation aimed at reducing opioid abuse.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A district court judge in Iowa has upheld a new state law that requires a three-day waiting period for abortions, a move that will send the issue to the Iowa Supreme Court. Polk County District Judge Jeffrey Farrell says in a ruling issued Monday that the law doesn’t place an undue burden on women. Planned Parenthood of the Heartland and the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa are challenging the constitutionally of the waiting period and additional clinic visits. They have filed an appeal.

MARENGO, Iowa (AP) — A woman accused of killing a trucker at an Iowa rest stop along Interstate 80 has pleaded not guilty. Mariana Lesnic entered the written plea Monday in Iowa County. She’s charged with first-degree murder in the Sept. 6 shooting death of 60-year-old Ernest Kummer, who lived in Monroe.

VERMILLION, S.D. (AP) — Many northwest Iowa students hope their enrollment at the University of South Dakota over the past two years will save them several thousand dollars. The Sioux City Journal reports that the South Dakota Board of Regents began extending in-state tuition to new Iowa freshmen and transfer students attending one of the state’s four public universities in the 2016-2017 school year. The university says the incentive has led to a nearly 70 percent increase in Iowa residents at the university.

An accident Monday morning in Ringgold County claimed the life of a Union County man. The Iowa State Patrol reports 58-year old Philip Swanson, of Creston, died when the 2005 Chrysler Pacifica he was driving collided with a truck. The accident happened at around 7:35-a.m. at the intersection of Highways 2 and 25.

Officials said a 2016 Volvo truck driven by 51-year old Gary Clausen, of Huxley, and registered to Perishable Distributers, of Iowa, was traveling east on Highway 2, when Clausen looked at his GPS and ran through a stop sign. Swanson’s northbound SUV struck the passenger side of the truck’s trailer. Swanson, who was wearing his seat belt, died at the scene.

Clausen was not injured in the crash. The accident remains under investigation, with charges pending completion of the investigation. The Ringgold County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Iowa State Patrol at the accident scene.

Police in Shenandoah have charged a man from Emerson with Theft in the 2nd Degree, in connection with the theft of a Pontiac G6 that had been reported stolen Saturday. And, 28-year old Jonathan Lee Million, of Emerson, was arrested Sunday near Clarinda, in connection with the theft from Shenandoah, of a 2010 Polaris ATV. Million was being held without bond in the Page County Jail, pending appearance in front of a Magistrate.

Shenandoah Police report also, Zachary Bond, of Shenandoah, was arrested Saturday on a Page County warrant. He was being held in the Page County Jail on a $1,000 bond.

And, Christopher Bowers, of Essex, was arrested Saturday on charges that include Driving While License Suspended, Interference with Official Acts, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of a Controlled Substance.  Bowers was taken into custody following a traffic stop and brief foot pursuit. His bond at the Page County Jail, was set at $2,000.

Sheriff’s officials in Mills County said Monday, that a Pottawattamie County man was arrested at around 2:25-a.m. Sunday, for Burglary in the 3rd degree, Theft in the 2nd degree, and Criminal Trespass. 52-year old Michael Anthony Weltch, of Council Bluffs, was being held in the Mills County Jail on $13,000 bond.

And, 60-year old Jean Margaret Rodenburg, of Glenwood, was arrested Sept. 28th, for OWI/1st offense. Her bond was set at $1,000.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A district court judge in Iowa has upheld a new state law that requires a three-day waiting period for abortions, a move that will send the issue to the Iowa Supreme Court.

Polk County District Judge Jeffrey Farrell says in a ruling issued Monday that the law doesn’t place an undue burden on women.

The Republican-controlled Iowa Legislature passed legislation earlier this year that banned most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Planned Parenthood of the Heartland and the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa are challenging the constitutionally of provisions within the law that require the waiting period and an additional clinic visit. They have filed an appeal.

The 20-week ban is in effect but the provisions are not, for now.

Missouri and South Dakota currently have three-day waiting periods for abortions.

The Atlantic Police Department reports two non-injury accidents over the weekend.

On Friday, Officers responded to a two-vehicle accident at 14th and Plum Streets in Atlantic at 3:00pm. Two vehicles were traveling Southbound on Plum Street in the 1300 block when one vehicle, driven by William Garrett of Atlantic, slowed to make a left hand turn into a private drive. The other vehicle driven by Taylor Clark of Atlantic struck the back of Garrett’s vehicle. A passenger in Garrett’s vehicle complained of head and neck pain but refused transport at the scene. Damage to each vehicle was estimated at $3,000.

On Saturday, Officers responded to a two-vehicle accident at 7th and Chestnut Street at 5:46pm. A vehicle driven by Charlette Bierbaum of Griswold was eastbound on 7th street with a green light at Chestnut Street when she was struck by a southbound vehicle on Chestnut Street driven by Alison Bodine of Atlantic. Bodine went through a red light and was cited for Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Device. No injuries were reported and both vehicles sustained an estimated $2,000 damage.

A Red Oak woman was arrested after a disturbance on Monday afternoon. At 12:10pm Red Oak Police Officers were called to a disturbance in the 400 block of North 3rd Street in Red Oak. 25-year-old Michelle Lynn Eden of Red Oak was arrested for Disorderly Conduct. Eden was allegedly yelling and using offensive language in a business and disturbing the peace. She was yelling when officers arrived on the scene and a business owner claimed she was being disruptive inside the business prior to Officer’s arrival.  Eden was taken to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $300 cash bond.