A motorcyclist being pursued by law enforcement died Saturday night, when the 2004 Honda he was riding collided with the rear of a 2012 Chevy K1500 pickup in Polk County. The Iowa State Patrol reports 21-year old Aaron Bjork, of Des Moines, died at the scene of the crash between Altoona and Mitchellville. He was not wearing a helmet. The accident happened on westbound Interstate 80 near mile marker 146, at around 8:23-p.m., Saturday.

When the cycle struck the rear of the pickup, the pickup rear ended a 2011 Jeep Wrangler. Neither driver, both of whom were from Colfax, was injured. The State Patrol was assisted at the scene by Mitchellville EMS and Altoona Fire and Rescue.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 5:00 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa health officials say another three people in the state have died from COVID-19, and 87 new cases of the disease have been confirmed across the state. The Iowa Department of Public Health reported the new numbers Saturday, bringing the statewide total of novel coronavirus cases to 786. The department says that among the new deaths was a person between the ages of 61 and 80 from Linn County, which has been hard-hit by the outbreak. The other deaths were a person between 61 and 80 from Polk County and a person between the ages of 41 and 60 in Henry County. Fourteen people in Iowa have died since the outbreak began.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Supreme Court has issued an order suspending grand jury hearings and criminal jury trials until mid-July in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. Chief Justice Susan Christensen issued the order Thursday that says trials and hearings already in progress will continue. But those that have not begun and are scheduled to begin over the coming weeks have been postponed. Non-jury criminal trials, in which a judge issues a verdict, are scheduled to resume June 1 under the order. Grand juries and jury trials scheduled through June are now pushed back until at least July 13.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Police say a 33-year-old woman is Des Moines’ latest homicide victim. Police say officers were called Friday afternoon to an area just blocks southwest of the Drake University campus for reports of a shooting. Arriving officers found the woman unresponsive, suffering from a gunshot wound. The woman, later identified as 33-year-old Catherine Bobbitt, of Des Moines, was taken to an area hospital, where she died. Police say witnesses had been interviewed and investigators were following up on leads, but no arrests had been reported by Saturday morning. Police say Bobbitt’s death is the city’s eighth for 2020.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Animal shelters across the U.S. say they’ve placed record numbers of dogs, cats and other animals as people suddenly find themselves stuck at home amid the coronavirus pandemic. If past trends hold, many of those who agree to temporarily care for a pet will ultimately decide they want to keep the animal. Amid an avalanche of bad news, stories of people fostering pets are prompting smiles. A shelter in Denver now says it has a waiting list of 2,000 people wanting to foster. When the Animal Rescue League of Iowa put out a call for temporary homes for 80 cats, it got 160 applications within 12 hours.

Sheriff’s officials in Adams County report that at around 12:38-p.m., Saturday, Deputies assisted the Department of Human Services in the 2000 block of Quincy Street, in Corning. Upon further investigation, Venessa Elizabeth Jennings, of Omaha, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance/1st offense, Child Endangerment, and Gathering where controlled substance are unlawfully used.

A search was was subsequently conducted at the residence. The case remains under investigation, with additional criminal charges expected.

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Page county Public Health have identified an additional case of COVID-19 in the County, bringing the total number of Page County positive cases to three. The individual is an adult (41 – to 60-years of age), and has transmitted the virus via community spread. The person is recovering at home in isolation.

Page County Public Health Administrator Jessica Erdman says “As we continue to see more positive cases in our County, I can’t stress enough the importance of washing your hands often, staying home when ill, working from home if your employee will allow it, and only going to the store when necessary to get essentials. We need to all be doing our part in this to protect our community and our loved ones.”

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Supreme Court has issued an order suspending grand jury hearings and criminal jury trials until mid-July in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. Chief Justice Susan Christensen issued the order Thursday that says trials and hearings already in progress will continue.

But those that have not begun and are scheduled to begin over the coming weeks have been postponed.

Non-jury criminal trials, in which a judge issues a verdict, are scheduled to resume June 1 under the order. Grand juries and jury trials scheduled through June are now pushed back until at least July 13.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Officials with the Sanford Health Plan say the insurance carrier is waiving all out-of-pocket costs for COVID-19 treatment through the end of May. The health plan will cover all costs for testing and treatment for its members, including outpatient care and inpatient hospital stays.

It applies to all fully insured group and individual plans for its customers in North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota.

Out-of-pocket costs include medical co-pays, deductibles and coinsurance charges related to treatment for COVID-19. The announcement follows a similar move earlier this week by the Blue Cross Blue Shield plans in those four states.