DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa State Fair opens this week, complete with its signature deep-fried Oreos and prize hog judging. Country star Reba McEntire will be on the grandstand, but another type of celebrity will be missing: marquee names eyeing the White House. The fair’s time-honored mix of late-summer family fun and high-wattage political pageantry will instead feature the Democratic backbench of presidential hopefuls, including Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro and Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan. The visit generating the most buzz this week is Michael Avenatti, the lawyer for the adult-film actress suing Trump who is attending the state Democratic Party’s annual summer fundraiser.

For now, top-tier prospective Democratic presidential candidates, including former Vice President Joe Biden and Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Cory Booker of New Jersey, Kamala Harris of California and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York are largely steering clear of Iowa.

The Democratic Party’s top stars have their reasons. Several say they are focused on ensuring the party is successful in regaining control of at least one chamber of Congress in the midterm elections. Some will be on the ballot themselves in November so they must lock down their own victory before being so bold as to go to Iowa. Still, their absence surprises veteran Democratic activists and stokes the perennial worry about the future of the state’s early status.

The anxiety isn’t entirely misplaced. The case for giving the overwhelming white, rural state a prized role in picking the Democratic nominee has become more complicated as the party’s base becomes less white and rural. Meanwhile, other states have been challenging it on influence and candidate appeal. For aspiring politicians, the place to make an impact this cycle is Georgia, which has a hot governor’s race and a sizable African-American population. The quiet has been observed by Iowans with typical understatement. The positioning that is happening in Iowa ahead of 2020 is largely playing out in private.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:30 a.m. CDT

LEE COUNTY, Iowa — Yesterday (Sunday), authorities with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to rural Lee County in reference to a dead body that had been discovered. Deputies responded and confirmed what had been reported. It is the body of white female in her early to mid-20’s. Investigators say at this time, it does NOT appear that the body is that of a missing Brooklyn, IA woman, Mollie Tibbetts. Results of the autopsy and identification of the remains are pending.

BROOKLYN, Iowa (AP) — The reward for the safe return of a missing University of Iowa student has ballooned to $260,000. Crime Stoppers of Central Iowa said Sunday that relatives of 20-year-old Mollie Tibbetts believe she’s alive but has potentially been kidnapped. She went missing on July 18 from her small hometown of Brooklyn, Iowa. Investigators are being tight-lipped about the case, saying holding back basic details may help solve it. Crime Stoppers says it has relayed more than 200 anonymous tips to police.

OTTUMWA, Iowa (AP) — A day after police in southeastern Iowa engaged in a deadly shootout that left one man dead and another seriously injured, authorities have not released the names of the suspects or officers involved. The Ottumwa Courier reports that the shootout happened after police received a report Friday afternoon of people with guns near Liberty Elementary in Ottumwa. One suspect was killed, another injured and two others were arrested. No one else was hurt.

KEOKUK, Iowa (AP) — The future for a former casino barge remains uncertain as officials in southeastern Iowa talk of turning it into an event center, a boutique bed and breakfast or a floating mall with a restaurant. The Quad-City Times reports that a seven-member commission in Keokuk meets twice a month to discuss plans for the barge. City Administrator Cole O’Donnell says the barge could draw residents and visitors to the city’s river front.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Personnel from the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals will conduct an inspection of the Iowa State Fair concession games as the fair kicks off. The inspections will take place at 1 p.m. Thursday. Staff from the Social & Charitable Gambling Unit will be checking the games to make sure they are appropriately licensed and conducted in a fair and honest manner.

LEE COUNTY, Iowa — Earlier today (Sunday), authorities with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to rural Lee County in reference to a dead body that had been discovered. Deputies responded and confirmed what had been reported.  It is the body of white female in her early to mid-20’s.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office requested the assistance of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), as well as the DCI’s Crime Scene Team.  Investigators are keenly aware of the Mollie Tibbetts investigation and have no reason to believe that the decedent is that of Mollie Tibbetts.

Authorities said there will be no other comments or statements released at this time in reference to the Lee County death investigation or the Mollie Tibbetts investigation.

KEOKUK, Iowa (AP) — The future for a former casino barge remains uncertain as officials in southeastern Iowa talk of turning it into an event center, a boutique bed and breakfast or a floating mall with a restaurant. A seven-member commission in Keokuk meets twice a month to discuss plans for the barge, the Quad-City Times reported .

City Administrator Cole O’Donnell said the barge could draw residents and visitors to  the city’s riverfront. Newt Marine Service transported the barge last year from Davenport to Keokuk for about $200,000. The city only paid $1 for the barge itself, O’Donnell said.

O’Donnell said a developer wouldn’t have to pay for the property itself, but would have to be able to repair and operate it. Water and power also need to be restored before commercial development can begin, he said. The barge previously belonged to the Rhythm City Casino. A crew recently cleaned up garbage and debris that fell during barge’s three-day trip downriver.

Keokuk Mayor Tom Richardson said the gambling barge is beautiful and intact, despite a recent storm that damaged some awnings.

BROOKLYN, Iowa (AP) — The reward for the safe return of a missing University of Iowa student has ballooned to $260,000. Crime Stoppers of Central Iowa said Sunday that relatives of 20-year-old Mollie Tibbetts believe she’s alive but has potentially been kidnapped. Spokesman Greg Willey says the family hopes the reward money will lead to her return.

Tibbetts went missing on July 18 from her small hometown of Brooklyn, Iowa.
Investigators are being tight-lipped about the case, saying holding back basic details may help solve it. That includes saying whether they believe Tibbetts returned home from a jog the evening she went missing.

Willey says Crime Stoppers will protect the anonymity of tipsters who call in or submit tips online . He says the organization has shared more than 200 anonymous tips with law enforcement since Monday.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Personnel from the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals will conduct an inspection of the Iowa State Fair concession games as the fair kicks off.

The inspections will take place at 1 p.m. Thursday. Staff from the Social & Charitable Gambling Unit will be checking the games to make sure they are appropriately licensed and conducted in a fair and honest manner.

State regulators make sure the object of each game is attainable and possible for the average person to perform. Inspectors also make sure that the rules of the game are clearly posted, the maximum base cost to play each game is not more than $5, and that all prizes are awarded in merchandise.

The Iowa State Fair starts Thursday and runs through Aug. 20.