(Radio Iowa) — The fast-spreading outbreak of the coronavirus overseas is evidently causing gasoline prices to fall in Iowa. Rose White at Triple-A-Iowa says the illness that has sickened at least 10-thousand people and killed more than 200 has forced China to restrict the travel of tens of millions of people.  “With the temporary reduction in some transportation services in China, the reduced demand for products appears to be impacting the global market prices,” White says. “China is the second-largest oil consuming nation.”

The actions by the Chinese government trying to halt the spread of the disease are having a significant impact on the global demand for oil. “Crude oil prices have dropped substantially during the past month,” White says. “In the U.S. trading market, crude has fallen from $64 a barrel down to $51, just during the past month.” In turn, gasoline prices across the U-S have been dropping, too. They’ve fallen a dime a gallon in the past month, from two-58 to two-48. “In Iowa, the state average is 20-cents lower than the national average, currently at $2.28 a gallon,” White says. “Prices have dropped 9-cents a gallon in Iowa during the past month.”

The motor club says the state’s cheapest gas is in Cedar Rapids at two-22 a gallon, while it’s the most expensive in Dubuque at two-34.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:35 a.m. CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa caucuses are small local meetings where neighbors and strangers stand up to show their support for a particular candidate, and to persuade others to join them. They’re also the first opportunity for Democrats to express their preferences in what’s been a long and tumultuous primary. Iowa’s 41 pledged national delegates are awarded based on the results. The winner of the caucuses may also get a boost in fundraising, media attention and momentum in the following primaries. A bad performance could also doom a candidate.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The voting in the Iowa caucuses is finally starting. The candidates have been racing around the state all weekend trying to fire up voters and make a last appeal to people struggling to make a final decision about who to support in the crowded field. Campaigns and voters acknowledged a palpable sense of unpredictability and anxiety as Democrats begin choosing which candidate to send on to a November face-off with President Donald Trump. Four candidates are locked in a fight for victory in Iowa and others are in position to pull off surprisingly strong finishes.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Roughly one month after the federal government announced a new crackdown to keep e-cigarettes away from children, state lawmakers in Iowa and Nebraska are forging ahead with similar proposals of their own. Both states are considering new laws to raise the minimum age for vaping to 21 years old in addition to other measures to try to restrict the product. An Iowa Senate Subcommittee advanced the measure earlier this month to raise that state’s legal age from 18 to eliminate the conflict with federal law. In Nebraska, a legislative committee will review its own bill on Tuesday.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A small, yet critical battle is going on within the big Democratic presidential field. Several candidates are jockeying to secure the backing of their party’s establishment wing. Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar are fighting for the political and financial support of the party’s leading donors, elected officials and pragmatists who are eager to unify behind a moderate alternative to the leading liberals Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders. The first answers will come Monday in the Iowa caucuses. That’s when voters will begin sorting out the fight between progressive candidates and their more moderate rivals.

DES MOINES, Iowa – The Iowa State Patrol and Division of Criminal Investigation are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the person responsible for entering and damaging the Iowa State Capitol Building in the early morning hours of Sunday, February 2nd.  Authorities say at approximately 2:55 a.m., a young male forcibly gained entry to the State Capitol Building and caused damage. Authorities believe the suspect sustained injuries to his hands and/or arms, which may be significant.

1st Floor North_Profile

1st Floor – North face

Investigators are sharing two images captured on surveillance cameras, and describe the suspect as a white male with dark hair who is approximately six feet tall and weighing between 180 to 210 pounds. The suspect appears to be wearing a green short-sleeved t-shirt, dark pants and light-colored shoes.  Authorities are asking anyone with information about this incident to contact the Division of Criminal Investigation at 515-725-6010.