Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A monthly survey of business leaders suggests the economy will remain weak in nine Midwest and Plains states. Weakness in agriculture and energy continue to weigh on the region’s economy. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says the region’s economy will continue to lag behind the nation as a whole.

KEOKUK, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a man suspected of killing a woman in Keokuk was found dead in the basement of his home. The Iowa Department of Public Safety says officers investigating the weekend shooting death of Carrissa River obtained a search warrant and went to the Keokuk home of Russell J. Tallman on Sunday afternoon. A state tactical team entered the home, where officers found the 39-year-old Tallman dead in the basement with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa prison officials say a man serving a life sentence for a 1974 first-degree murder conviction has died of natural causes. Atwell Conner, Jr., was 71. Iowa Department of Corrections spokesman Fred Scaletta says Conner died of colon cancer Sunday morning while in hospice care. He was convicted along with George Nowlin of the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Maureen Connolly in Cedar Rapids.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Harvest is underway with 10 percent of the corn crop and 21 percent of soybeans already completed in Iowa while Nebraska farmers reported 15 percent of corn harvested, behind the five-year average and 27 percent of soybeans in bins, right at average.

Officials with Marne and Elk Horn Telephone Company and Walnut Communications, who announced their plan to merge in July, have completed the transaction, according to General Manager Janell Hansen. Hansen said Monday, “We have finalized the paperwork, made the necessary filings and have received the necessary approvals from the FCC, so now we continue on with the best part of the merger – the people, which include all our employees and all our customers.”

While the merger keeps the brands for both companies, it still allows the company the opportunity to share staff resources, reduce combined operating expenses, and provide customers with the excellent products and services they deserve, according to Hansen.

She said “Transitions take time to do well and we plan to do this right. I formed a transition team in July and they have been meeting to do all the things you’d expect. Together, we’re continuing to learn about each other’s processes, procedures, vendor relationships and technology platforms. Soon we can decide on how to use our combined resources to best serve customers and make plans for the future. We have great people and we plan to use our collective expertise to benefit customers.”

Both Marne Elk Horn and Walnut Communications have served customers in western Iowa for more than 100 years. Today, each company provides Internet, digital TV, and voice services to residential and business customers in the areas they serve. The companies serve customers in Avoca, Brayton, Elk Horn, Exira, Kimballton, Marne, Minden, Neola, Persia, Shelby, Underwood and Walnut with Internet, TV and phone.

They are in several cellular partnerships in western Iowa, and serve Atlantic with wireless Internet.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Some prosecutors say a loophole in Iowa law can allow educators convicted of sexually abusing students to avoid prison time. An investigation the Des Moines Register conducted last month identified seven cases in the past five years in which teachers convicted of sexual abuse avoided prison time or could seek to have their public record expunged.

Under the law, mandatory reporters, such as teachers and social workers, are required to report child abuse cases to law enforcement. Convicted mandatory reporters aren’t eligible for sentences that don’t include jail time if the victim is under the age of 18.

Cherokee County attorney Ryan Kolpin says the law doesn’t apply if prosecutors forget or decide not to include information showing the defendant is a mandatory reporter in a criminal complaint. Some prosecutors say the law also doesn’t apply if a convicted reporter doesn’t acknowledge their status as a mandatory reporter.