Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) – The five Republicans seeking Iowa’s U.S. Senate nomination have met to debate at Iowa Public Television’s studios near Des Moines. College professor Sam Clovis of Sioux City, state Senator Joni Ernst of Red Oak, retired business executive Mark Jacobs of West Des Moines, businessman Scott Schaben of Urbandale, and former U.S. attorney Matt Whitaker of Clive all participated in last night’s 90-minute live broadcast.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A bill to extend tax credits for renewable fuels has been sent to Governor Terry Branstad. The bill originally extended renewable fuel tax credits for ethanol and biodiesel in the state to January 2nd, 2020, but the House amended it to 2018. The Senate yesterday accepted the amendment voting 48-0 to send the bill to the governor.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Governor Terry Branstad has signed a bill into law that is meant to crack down on prostitution and pimping including minors. The bill signed into law yesterday removes offenses from the records of anyone previously convicted of prostitution as a minor.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A bill ending greyhound racing in Council Bluffs but allowing dog owners to operate a track in Dubuque has passed the Senate committee process and could be debated on the floor as early as Friday. Casinos in Council Bluffs and Dubuque, which spent $10 million subsidizing dog racing last year, say the industry is dying. The casinos have worked to end racing for years.

JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) – All five Republican seeking Iowa’s U.S. Senate nomination will debate at Iowa Public Television’s studios in suburban Des Moines.

College professor Sam Clovis of Sioux City, state Sen. Joni Ernst of Red Oak, retired business executive Mark Jacobs of West Des Moines, businessman Scott Schaben of Urbandale and former U.S. attorney Matt Whitaker of Clive are expected to participate in the 90-minute live broadcast, beginning at 7 p.m.

It’s the first statewide televised debate for the candidates, who are vying to win 35 percent of the vote in the June 3 primary. If no candidate meets the threshold, a party convention will decide the nomination.

The Republican nominee will face U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley of Waterloo, the only Democrat seeking the seat held by retiring five-term Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A bill ending greyhound racing in Council Bluffs but allowing dog owners to operate a track in Dubuque has advanced to a full Senate committee. Casinos in Council Bluffs and Dubuque, which spent $10 million subsidizing dog racing last year, say the industry is dying. The casinos have worked to end racing for years.  Under the bill, Mystique Casino in Dubuque would pay $7 million and Horseshoe Casino in Council Bluffs casino would pay $65 million into a fund.

Half of it would be used as a retirement fund for breeders and owners who stop racing. The other half would help the Iowa Greyhound Association lease the track in Dubuque. Racing in Council Bluffs would end on Dec. 31, 2015.

The Senate Appropriations Committee will consider the bill Thursday afternoon.

The animal rights group “People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals” or PETA, wants to erect a 10-foot tall monument near a Sioux City highway where several hundred turkeys died in a truck rollover earlier this month. Alex Moore of PETA sent a letter to the D-O-T requesting permission to put a 10-foot tombstone along the right of way where More says more than 500 turkeys died. Dakin Schultz in the D-O-T’s Sioux City office says the agency has strict policies regarding roadside memorials.
“The Iowa Department of Transportation, for safety purposes, does not permit any memorials along public roadways. At least the state roadways,” Schultz says. He says the D-O-T will send a response to PETA to explain their policy. “Typically when there is a request for a roadway we will not issue a permit for it and we encourage those folks who wish to do that to find other locations,” Schultz says.

The driver of the truck in the April 12th accident was cited for failure to maintain control.

(Radio Iowa)