Home prices and sales increased 7.7-percent in Iowa last year. Numbers released by the Iowa Association of Realtors show 44,621 homes were sold in the state in 2015. That was up from 43,772 homes sold the previous year. Meanwhile, the median sale price for a home sold in Iowa last year was $140,000. That compares to $130,000 in 2014. IAR president Ken Clark reports it’s the fourth consecutive year of increases in home prices in the state.

The IAR also reports homes sold faster in 2015 than any year in the past decade.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Measures that would address the growing use of body cameras in Iowa are not expected to impact law enforcement agencies this year. But their introduction this session showcases looming challenges for state officials. A bill that would have specified storage requirements for body camera footage did not move past a procedural deadline in the recent legislative session.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Court of Appeals will hear an appeal filed by the former operator of the Argosy riverboat casino in Sioux City this week. The Sioux City Journal reports the case challenging decisions the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission made will be heard Tuesday.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Des Moines officials are re-examining a little-used city rule that limits home day cares to six children while state rules allow as many as 16. The Register reports a day care provider who had been caring for 12 children complained after city officials forced her to follow the city rule. Tonja Boggs filed a complaint against the city’s 483 other home day cares.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — More than 2,000 people raced to the top of Omaha’s tallest building this weekend, but an Iowa woman on crutches earned one of the loudest ovations. Sixty-year-old Ann Hegstrom heard cheers when she crossed the finish line Saturday. Hegstrom of DeSoto, Iowa told the Omaha World-Herald she didn’t want to miss her fourth race up the First National Bank tower even after breaking her femur around Thanksgiving.

Police in Red Oak arrested a man Saturday afternoon for “Breach of Peace.” 23-year old Matthew Kalvin Owens, of Red Oak, was charged after he allegedly violated Red Oak City Code “By publicly cursing and using abusive language toward another individual.” The language was allegedly directed toward “multiple individuals” in the City of Red Oak. Owens was taken into custody at around 4:15-p.m. Bond was set at $300.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Measures that would address the growing use of body cameras in Iowa are not expected to impact law enforcement agencies this year, but their introduction this session showcases looming challenges for state officials.

Several lawmakers agree legislative action is needed soon as more Iowa authorities use body cameras to counter allegations of excessive force and public mistrust. In Iowa and around the country, legislators are scrutinizing existing laws and using task forces to figure out the storage, public inspection and confidentiality of body camera footage.

In Iowa, a bill that would have specified storage requirements for body camera footage did not move past a procedural deadline. The focus now turns to a separate bill that includes the creation of an interim legislative committee to investigate the issue.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Court of Appeals will hear an appeal filed by the former operator of the Argosy riverboat casino in Sioux City this week. The Sioux City Journal reports the case challenging decisions the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission made will be heard Tuesday.

Bell of Sioux City, which is a subsidiary of Penn National Gaming Co., argues that regulators were wrong to grant a license for what has become the land-based Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sioux City. Previous rulings in the case have supported regulators. Brian Ohorilko with the state commission says regulators believe they acted in accordance with state law in their casino decisions.

Mark Monson with the local nonprofit that has worked with both casino operators says he hopes the case is resolved soon.