Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — MidAmerican Energy says a wind turbine being built in southern Iowa will be the nation’s tallest. The utility is building the turbine in Adams County as part of a 64-turbine development that should be completed by the end of the year. Unlike regular towers built of steel, the taller tower will be concrete. The tower will rise to 377 feet, compared to a typical 263 feet, and when the blade is added the height will reach 554 feet. That’s nearly as tall as the Washington Monument.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The chairwoman of Iowa Utilities Board is taking the unusual step of withholding funding from the state’s renewable energy research center until its leaders satisfy her questions about its programs. But Geri Huser’s move may violate a law that requires the funding be appropriated to the Iowa Energy Center at Iowa State University once it’s collected by the utilities board. If the delay continues, the center may have to suspend grant programs and lay off workers.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Health officials say two central Iowa men have died from the flu and the state now has one of the highest flu virus activity rates in the nation. The state Department of Public Health’s medical director says the men who died were 41 and 60 years old. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control says Iowa, Oregon and Rhode Island currently have the highest rate of flu activity.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad says he wants to ensure state residents are safe following the recent terrorist attacks in Paris, but that he may not have the authority to bar Syrian refugees from entering the state. Several governors said today they will bar refugees from their states, but federal officials say the governors lack the authority. The Republican Branstad acknowledged that states may not be able to take such action because it’s a federal program.

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce will host its Annual Recipe Walk in historic downtown Atlantic during Grand Lighting on November 19th, from 4:00 – 7:00 PM.
You’re invited to warm up and enjoy flavors of the season in downtown retail stores. Participating businesses will offer sweet and savory treats and recipe cards for holiday favorites as you shop.

Chamber Executive Director Ouida Hargens said  “We extended the time in 2015 to allow everyone to shop, try a taste treat, collect the recipe and still get to the Snowflake Drop in time. There are eight stops on the Holiday Recipe Walk to enjoy holiday favorites.”

A list of participating businesses will be handed out at the Grand Lighting Stage near city park and include, Atlantic News Telegraph, Aunt B’s, Bonnesen’s Five & Ten Store, Democrat Party, Howard’s Clothing, The Tinder Box and The Nest Egg. The list can also be picked at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce on November 18th.

Santa will be in his cabin, along with two of his reindeer, in the Atlantic City Park following the Grand Lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. sponsored by Precision Concrete Services and CornerStone Landscaping. During Grand Lighting more than 200,000 light bulbs are turned downtown Atlantic to signal the start of the holidays.

The 1st Annual Snowflake Drop will be taking place on November 19th as part of the Grand Lighting Celebration. The Atlantic Area Chamber has partnered with your favorite local businesses to provide a snow shower full of spectacular savings for Holiday Shopping. Snowflakes will be dropped from the sky for the community to “scoop up” and save. “Like” the Chamber on Facebook for a sneak peak of what the snowflakes will offer.

Capture the Christmas magic with #MyAtlanticIA and post to the Atlantic Area Chamber’s Facebook page or Instagram page. Contact the Atlantic Area Chamber with any questions at 712.243.3017 or at the Rock Island Depot, 102 Chestnut Street.

The Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO) says it is seeking applications from low to moderate income homeowners in the City of Elk Horn. Income qualified homeowners who live in the target area may be eligible to receive a five year forgivable loan to provide housing repairs.

The funds are made possible by a Community Development Block Grant the City of Elk Horn received from the Iowa Economic Development Authority. Elk Horn was awarded $304,000 for the repair of eight homes.

Interested applicants should contact SWIPCO at 712-243-4196 for more information. All applications are due to the SWIHTF office at 1501 SW 7th St. by Dec. 1, 2015.

Police in Council Bluffs said late Monday evening, that the female driver of an SUV which struck a 17-year old female pedestrian Monday morning at 25th and Broadway, has been identified. The driver, whom police declined to identify, contacted the traffic unit Monday afternoon. An investigation into the incident will continue Tuesday morning.

In their original report, Bluffs Police said a 17-year old female was crossing the intersection southbound on the west side of the intersection, in the crosswalk. A red, crossover-type SUV vehicle, driven by a white female, was facing north on 25th street and attempted a left turn to go west onto Broadway. The vehicle struck the pedestrian in the crosswalk.

The driver of the vehicle stopped and made contact the pedestrian, and remained on scene until the Fire Dept arrived. Paramedics transported the pedestrian to Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs, where she was treated for minor injuries and released. The driver of the vehicle left the scene before police arrived to investigate the crash.