Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Governor Terry Branstad has jetted off to Japan and India, embarking on his sixth international trade trip since 2011. Since 2011, the state has spent less than $10,000 on Branstad’s travels, but the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s foundation, which takes private contributions, has paid out nearly $114,000. It will spend another $10,000 on the current trip.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa law enforcement officials are debating the wisdom of granting gun permits to blind people. The Des Moines Register reports Iowa law doesn’t allow sheriffs to deny a permit to carry a gun in public based on physical ability. Some sheriffs have been granting gun permits to people with visual impairments while others have been denying them.

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) – Police say a 79-year-old man has drowned at a swimming area in a Mason City park. Mason City police Sergeant Steve Klemas tells the Mason City Globe Gazette several people pulled John Beery out of the water Saturday evening at Big Blue swimming area in Ray Rorick Park.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Officials at Iowa City-based USA Wrestling vow to keep improving the sport after reinstatement as an Olympic sport for the 2020 Tokyo Games. Wrestling, which was dropped from the list of core sports in February, received 49 votes Sunday to win in the first round of secret balloting by the International Olympic Committee.

The City of Atlantic’s Board of Adjustment will hold a public hearing early Monday morning at City Hall, with regard to a variance request. Keith Leonard, of 1108 Roosevelt Drive has requested a variance to allow for the construction of a two-family dwelling on an 8,000-square foot lot that does not conform to the minimum lot size requirements in an “R-3” High Density Single Family District, as stated in the City’s Zoning Ordinance. The site of the lot is at 801 Hickory Street.

The public hearing is slated to begin shortly after the board convenes at 7:30-a.m., Monday.

The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education will meet Monday evening at the High School, during a regularly scheduled session. During their 7:30-p.m. meeting in the High School Media Center, the Board will hear a special presentation from Ginger Bechtold, and architect Jerry Purdy will update the Board on the Middle School Renovation project.

Among the many action items on their agenda is approval of: the School Resource Officers’ (SRO) program agreement for 2013-2014; A sharing agreement with the Harlan Community School District for a Curriculum Director; an full-time At-Risk Advocate for the EOC/Level 3 Behavior/Preschool program; and lighting and electric bids for the AHS Auditorium lighting project.

The Board will also discuss Capital Projects and Board Training.