Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CST

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The Democratic Party’s leading presidential hopefuls are splitting their time between the critical early-voting states South Carolina and Iowa at events celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day. South Carolina’s first-in-the-South primary is a crucial proving ground for a candidate’s mettle with black voters. The state’s showcase holiday celebration, Columbia’s King Day at the Dome, is a notable and highly visible event for a Democratic politician. The festivities are marked by a march through the streets of downtown Columbia and a rally at the Statehouse. All the top-tier candidates plan to start Monday with prayer services around Columbia.

OTTUMWA, Iowa (AP) — Bernie Sanders is seeking out first-time Iowa caucus participants where they live, work and shop. Pete Buttigieg is signaling to them through friends of supporters and closing the deal in big rallies. The strategies represent one of the most important pieces of a winning presidential Iowa campaign: getting new people to participate. It always matters, but in a highly competitive Democratic presidential caucus campaign, expanding the electorate is vitally important for the pack of four candidates scrambling to break out in the coming two weeks. The candidate who turns out the most and the broadest array of first time participants stands a very good chance of winning.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders are proving to be two of the most durable candidates in the Democratic presidential primary. Both men are in their 70s and have outlasted younger rivals who were expected to have strong showings in the 2020 contest. Biden and Sanders still face stiff competition in the early voting states that could block their paths to the nomination. They’re locked in tight, four-way races in Iowa and New Hampshire with Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana.

The Atlantic Volunteer Fire Department held its annual Dinner and Awards Banquet Saturday night. During the event, Jake Vetter was named Firefighter of the Year, and Jim Shannon was recognized as the Officer of the Year.

Former Fire Chief Mark McNees was recognized for his 13-years of service as Chief. Tim Cappel and Doug Sandbothe were also recognized for their 20-years of service to the department. (All photos below courtesy Wendy Richter)

L-R: Former IFA President Roger Bissen, Jake Vetter, and Tom Cappel, Atlantic Fire Chief

L-R: Roger Bissen, former IFB President, Mark McNees, former Atlantic Fire Chief, and Tom Cappel, Atlantic Fire Chief

L-R: Former IFB President Roger Bissen, Tim Cappel, Doug Sandbothe, and Tom Cappel, Atlantic Fire Chief.

L-R: Former IFA President, Roger Bissen, Jim Shannon, Mark McNees, and former Atlantic Fire Chief)

OTTUMWA, Iowa (AP) – Bernie Sanders is seeking out first-time Iowa caucus participants where they live, work and shop. Pete Buttigieg is signaling to them through friends of supporters and closing the deal in big rallies. The strategies represent one of the most important pieces of a winning presidential Iowa campaign: getting new people to participate.

It always matters, but in a highly competitive Democratic presidential caucus campaign, expanding the electorate is vitally important for the pack of four candidates scrambling to break out in the coming two weeks. The candidate who turns out the most and the broadest array of first time participants stands a very good chance of winning.