Iowa Senator Joni Ernst — the first female combat veteran to serve in the United States Senate — will deliver a prime-time speech about national security at next week’s Republican National Convention in Cleveland.  “This is a great opportunity for me to be on the national stage and talk about something that is so vitally important to our country,” Ernst says.

The Trump campaign has not yet released the speaking schedule for next week’s convention, but sources say Ernst will be speaking Monday night. Ernst is hinting her remarks will be a partial indictment of the Obama Administration’s policies for military engagement. “If you look at the global front where we’re trying to combat ISIS as best as we can, but without a very enthusiastic administration,” Ernst says. “And Hillary Clinton will just continue on with these lackluster policies.”

Seven months ago, Ernst was deputy chief of staff at the Iowa National Guard’s headquarters when she retired after a 23-year military career. In 2003, Ernst was the commander of a battalion of Iowa National Guard soldiers who ran supply convoys from Kuwait into Iraq. She emphasized her military experience during her successful 2014 campaign for the U.S. Senate. It’s one reason she was rumored to be on Trump’s list of potential running mates.

(Radio Iowa)

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

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Corn and soybean crops in Iowa and Nebraska continue to make good progress and plant development remains ahead of the five-year average. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s weekly crop update says corn in Iowa and Nebraska is rated at nearly 80 percent good to excellent while soybeans are around 78 percent good to excellent.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Board of Regents is dismissing questions about a land deal between its president’s private business and Iowa State University President Steven Leath. Board spokesman Josh Lehman says the deal uncovered by the Des Moines Register is a private transaction that the board will not investigate. The deal involves Leath’s purchase of 145 acres of land from Summit Agricultural Group, which is owned by Board President Bruce Rastetter, for $623,000.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture says 33 Iowa small businesses and farms have been awarded grants to reduce energy costs by improving lighting and installing solar energy systems. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says more than $670,000 is approved for the projects including funding a wind energy project and improvements to grain dryer systems on two farms.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa has shortened the application form for a person with a criminal conviction who wants to request a pardon from the governor or have his or her firearm rights restored. A new form released online Monday reduces the number of pages from five to two and the number of questions from 43 to 29.

Police in Stuart late Monday night issued an alert on their social media page about a search underway for two suspects. Since their initial post was made, authorities said they were looking for Joshua Ervin Subbert. Subbert fled from police on foot in the 500 block of W. Front St. He’s wanted on six burglary and theft related warrants, out of three different counties. (A current photo of Subbert is unavailable at this time.)

A Guthrie County Sheriffs Office dog was used to assist in the search however due to the weather, the search was suspended. If you see a subject matching Subbert’s description, or know where he is, please contact the Guthrie County Sheriffs Office at 641-747-2214 or dial 911. Subbert is not considered dangerous and officials say they do not believe the public is in any danger.

Stuart Police are looking for two suspects who fled on foot in the area of the 500 block of W. Front St. A police K9 is being used in the search. Please stay inside and report any suspicious people. One suspect may be in a white shirt, blue jeans and tennis shoes.