A former lawmaker from Iowa and retired member of the military has announced on his social media page he’s forming an exploratory committee in preparation for a decision on running as a Democrat for the U-S Senate in 2016. Retired Iowa National Guard Colonel Bob Krause would run against Republican incumbent Senator Charles Grassley, if Krause decides to run. Grassley has already announced his intention to seek another six-year term in 2016.

Krause said he’ll use the next several months to seek out Iowans’ opinions on what is important to them before making any formal announcement. He said that while it is was early in the season to announce, Grassley has already announced his intentions, and, as the underdog, he would need time to spread his message.

Krause said his primary issue would be to address Iowans’ stagnant incomes associated in-part with the minimum wage, and, the falling prices of harvested commodities, such as corn.

The Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors say two county roads near Oakland are in such bad shape, they agreed on Monday that repairs on County Roads G42 and M16 should be moved up by three years. The Omaha World-Herald reports the request came from County Engineer John Rasmussen, who wants the 8.5-mile project done next year.

Police in Red Oak report a traffic stop early this (Wednesday) morning at the intersection of Highways 34 and 48 resulted in the driver of a vehicle being arrested on drug charges. 30-year old David Ray Sturgis, of Red Oak, was taken into custody shortly after midnight. Sturgis faces charges that include Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, a felony Possession of Contraband charge, and Driving While Suspended.

He was being held in the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center in $5,000 bond.

A Council Bluffs elementary school student swapped a loaded round of ammunition for playing cards Friday on a school bus, prompting concern among parents and school officials. Titan Hill Intermediate School Principal Kent Stopak told the Daily NonPareil, the trade happened on a school bus. The child receiving the round of ammunition told his parents when he got home, and the parents reached out to the school Monday morning.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say three people have been arrested in connection to a lockdown at a community college campus in Fort Dodge. The Fort Dodge Police Department says the three people each face one count of aiding and abetting second-degree robbery. Court records do not indicate formal charges have been filed. Authorities are looking for a fourth suspect. No shots and no injuries were reported.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An employee union is asking a court to overturn a ruling that bans state workers from wearing pins critical of Gov. Terry Branstad. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees recently filed a motion asking the Polk County District Court to intervene in a ruling issued by the Public Employment Relations Board. The board ruled in October that the pins worn by employees at the Iowa Medical and Classification Center represent “special circumstances” that interfere with prison decorum.

DUNKERTON, Iowa (AP) — Residents and officials in Dunkerton are discussing whether they should retain their tiny police department following the chief’s resignation in August. Police Chief Tim Schultz resigned amid an investigation into the alleged misuse of a city credit card. His departure left Dunkerton with only one full-time officer. The job opening has raised the question whether Dunkerton should contract with the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s office for protection.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Officials say the number of human cases of West Nile virus in Iowa is down compared to last year. Iowa Department of Public Health officials say the state had 15 human cases of the mosquito-borne disease as of Oct. 31. There were a total of 44 human cases in the state in 2013.