Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:25 a.m. CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s top election official doesn’t plan to ask the Legislature for extra money to help inform the public about a voter identification bill that could soon become law. Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate intends to use existing office funds to pay for voter education and outreach in connection to his proposal to require ID at polling places. Advocacy groups say a lack of designated money for public outreach could make it harder for people to find out about the change.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Pork industry experts say U.S. consumers shouldn’t worry about a bacon shortage. The reassurance comes amid news that demand for bacon depleted frozen pork belly supplies in the U.S. to a record low for December. But the industry is confident it can boost hog production enough to avoid any serious shortages.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Volunteer fire departments all over Iowa have members who were improperly awarded nationally-recognized certificates by the state fire academy. The Fire Service Training Bureau has sent letters to 560 mostly volunteer agencies notifying them that “one or more firefighters on your department may have been” improperly granted certificates, despite failing their exams. The Iowa Department of Public Safety says 1,706 firefighters and emergency responders were improperly granted 2,278 certifications.

ELKADER, Iowa (AP) — Iowa officials say several deer killed in northeast Iowa during the fall hunting season in 2016 have tested positive for chronic wasting disease. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says a deer killed in Clayton County had chronic wasting disease, making it the first to test positive for the disease outside Allamakee County. Another 10 deer killed in Allamakee County during the 2016 hunting season also had the disease.

The only independent in the state legislature is asking Iowa’s attorney general to issue a written opinion on the proper transfer of power when Republican Governor Terry Branstad resigns to become ambassador to China.  Senator David Johnson, of Ocheyedon, says  “Although a number of legal experts believe it’s a settled issue, there are others that don’t.” Johnson is a former Republican who switched his voter registration to “no party” this summer when Donald Trump became the G-O-P’s presidential nominee.

In December, Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds said the constitution is clear and that she will become governor when Branstad resigns. Johnson says there is “ambiguity” in the way the constitution is written and some analysts argue Reynolds may PERFORM the duties of governor, but will NOT get the TITLE of governor. “Being an independent, I believe I don’t have any partisan dog in this game,” Johnson says. “…I’m not a Republican. I’m not a Democrat. I can’t be accused of having any partisan leanings on this.”

Johnson has sent a formal request, asking Attorney General Tom Miller to issue an opinion on the matter by February 15th. “We need to have this issue more clearly defined before the governor goes to China,” Johnson says. Johnson’s asking the attorney general to weigh in on whether Reynolds has the authority to appoint a lieutenant governor and who would have the authority to swear her in as GOVERNOR once Branstad leaves.

Johnson suggests SENATORS could be forced to vote on transfer of power issues based on what the attorney general may determine. A spokesman for Attorney General Tom Miller said weeks ago that Miller agrees with the Branstad Administration, that Reynolds will become governor when Branstad leaves — and that she’ll have the authority to appoint a lieutenant governor.

A spokesman for Governor Branstad accuses Johnson of “political grandstanding.” Branstad press secretary Ben Hammes says “two months ago” the attorney general and secretary of state were “definitive” that that Reynolds will become governor when Branstad resigns.

(Radio Iowa)

Officials with the Sac City Police Department say a car-versus-pedestrian accident Tuesday afternoon claimed the life of an elderly man. The accident took place at around 1:40-p.m. at the intersection of Audubon Street and South 5TH Street in Sac City. Authorities say 74-year old Sherry Busch of Sac City, was driving a 2015 Chevrolet Impala northbound on South 5th Street, when her car struck 88-year old Alan Galbraith, who is also from Sac City. The accident happened as Galbraith was crossing the street.  The man was transported to Loring Hospital and then later air lifted to a Sioux City Hospital, where he died a short time later.

Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones administered the Oath of Office to Atlantic Police Officer Spencer Walton, Wednesday night. (click on the left side of the audio bar to play the cut)

The event took place as part of the regular City Council meeting. Walton, who has been an Officer with the A-PD for nearly 9-years, was promoted to Sergeant in order to fill a vacancy on the Atlantic Police force created by the resignation of Cody Eckles.

Atlantic Police Officer Spencer Walton (Left) becomes Sgt. Walton, after taking the Oath of Office from Mayor Dave Jones. (Ric Hanson/photo)

There’s still time to register! Food, Family and Fun kicks off tomorrow night- but we have some open spaces in the kitchen! Bring the family and join us for this 6 week, hands-on family cooking class. Each week we will make a basic meal to eat as a family, and another to take home and freeze. Food, Family and Fun is open to anyone interested in cooking healthy, family-friendly meals on a budget!

Food, Family and Fun is a six session course, held once a week, where families will come together to have a little fun while learning how to cook and eat good food! Cass County ISU Extension and the Kiwanis Club of Atlantic are excited to offer this program in Cass County. The class meets at the Atlantic Middle School for 6 weeks in February and March, and will utilize the Family and Consumer Science classroom so participants can get hands-on practice in a kitchen environment. Open to any family interested in improving their skills in family meal-planning and preparation, this program is geared towards families with children aged 5-18.

At each weekly session, families meet with class mentors from 6-8 PM to prepare healthy meals through hands-on cooking experience. Families will make TWO meals at each session- one to enjoy during the class, and a second meal to take home and freeze or eat later in the week. Families will also participate in activities on communication, meal-planning, and health and nutrition.

A small fee of $5 per session will be charged per family to help cover grocery costs. For a family of 5 this costs $1 for two full meals! In addition, families completing at least 5 of the 6 classes will receive a kitchen “supply kit” full of kitchen essentials to put those new skills to use at home, and a new programmable crockpot to make healthy winter meal prep a snap.

Spaces are still available in the class, starting Thursday February 2^nd, but pre-registrations are required to allow planning for food and materials. To register, or for more information on class content, dates, etc.- find a brochure and registration form on the Cass County Extension website at www.extension.iastate.edu/cass, call the Cass County Extension office at 712-243-1132 or email keolson@iastate.edu.

(Press Release from ISU Extension/Cass County)

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nearly 200 people turned out at a southeast Omaha intersection to remember a Council Bluffs woman killed a year ago in a crash police say was caused by a drunken driver in the country illegally. Friends and family of 21-year-old Sarah Root release balloons Tuesday night in her memory.

Investigators say 20-year-old Eswin Mejia was in the country illegally when he was driving drunk last February and crashed into Root’s car, killing her. Authorities haven’t seen Mejia since he posted $5,000 bond and was released from jail.

Iowa and Nebraska lawmakers have introduced legislation to require federal immigration officials to keep any person in the country illegally in custody when charged with a crime involving serious injury or death. President Donald Trump mentioned the Omaha case during his campaign rallies to bolster support for a crackdown on illegal immigration.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad has signed into law the Iowa Legislature’s plan to eliminate a shortfall in the state’s current $7.2 billion budget. Branstad signed a bill Wednesday that cuts about $117 million in spending from the budget that began last July. Various Iowa agencies will collectively cut about $88 million. An additional $25 million will be taken from other funds used for programs ranging from economic development to the arts. About $4 million was saved from unused tax credits.

Some affected Iowa departments — including corrections, higher education and public safety — will determine where those cuts will be made. Branstad says he is pleased the GOP-controlled Legislature exempted K-12 education, Medicaid and certain property taxes cuts from the reductions. Democrats have said the cuts will hurt state government.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa lawmaker has asked the state’s top lawyer to review the legislative procedures surrounding Gov. Terry Branstad’s plans to resign and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynold’s expected ascension to governor. Sen. David Johnson, an independent from Ocheyedan, sent a letter Wednesday to Attorney General Tom Miller seeking an opinion on language in the Iowa Constitution that explains what happens when a governor steps down.

Johnson’s letter asks several questions, including whether the Iowa Legislature must approve a change in executive office. Branstad has said he will resign from his job pending a U.S. Senate confirmation to become the next ambassador to China.

Ben Hammes, a spokesman for the governor’s office, says Miller has already stated that Reynolds will become governor and has the power to appoint a new lieutenant governor.