Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

KEOKUK, Iowa (AP) — A jury has acquitted a former drug offender who voted despite having lost her right to cast a ballot, in a rare trial that highlights Iowa’s harsh policies toward voting rights for ex-felons. Jurors rejected a perjury charge yesterday against Kelli Jo Griffin, who was accused of lying on a voter registration form before she cast a ballot in a municipal election in November.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An Omaha-based economist says a survey of bankers in Iowa, Nebraska and eight other Midwestern states suggests the regional economy is experiencing slow to no growth. The Rural Mainstreet Index by Creighton University economist Ernie Gross rose slightly above growth neutral in March, to 50.1, compared with 48.4 in February.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A two-hour standoff between a Davenport man and local authorities has ended peacefully. The Quad-City Times reports the suspect was taken into custody around 11 a.m. yesterday after speaking with a negotiator. No injuries were reported.

SAN ANTONIO (AP) —North Carolina Central is the Number 14 seed in tonight’s East Regional in a second round matchup Friday against third seeded Big 12 tournament champion Iowa State. Iowa State is taking note of what the Eagles have done this season: A 20-game win streak, a road win at North Carolina State and a close loss at Wichita State, the only undefeated team in the country and the Number One seed in the Midwest.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An economist says a survey of bankers in 10 Midwest and Plains states suggests the regional economy is experiencing slow to no growth. The Rural Mainstreet Index rose slightly above growth neutral in March, to 50.1, compared with 48.4 in February. The survey indexes range from 0 to 100, with 50 representing growth neutral. A score above 50 suggests growth in that factor in the months ahead.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he says the region will need to see more increases in farm commodity prices to push the agriculture-based economy back into healthy growth territory. Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming were surveyed.

A distracted driver caused an accident late Thursday morning about three-miles east of Shenandoah, in Page County. Sheriff’s officials say 49-year old Jennine Ohnmacht, of Blanchard, was traveling north on E Avenue at around 11:50-a.m., when she looked down. As she looked up, she found the 2002 Chrysler Town and County van she was driving was beside a 2005 Sterling tractor trailer, in the northbound lane.

The van clipped the driver’s side of the semi, driven by 60-year old Rodney Long, of New Market. Authorities say the Long’s semi left a little more than 153-feet of skid marks from the tires on both dual trailer axles, and swerved towards the ditch in an attempt to avoid contact with the van. Damage from the mishap amounted to $5,000. No injuries were reported.

The sheriff’s office says Ohnmacht was cited for Driving on the wrong side of a two-way highway.

Sheriff’s officials in Mills County report a Glenwood woman was arrested early this (Thursday) morning on a drug charge. 47-year old Lisa Mae Bolan faces a Possession of Controlled Substance charge. She was taken into custody at around 3:20-a.m. on Highway 275. Bond was set at $1,000.00.

Authorities said also, no injuries were reported following a single vehicle rollover accident Wednesday afternoon. Officials say  Jess Mullanix of Glenwood, was driving a 2004 Dodge 4 Miles eastbound northwest of Glenwood on Ellington at Glover Road, when the vehicle slipped-off the edge of the gravel road and rolled into the south ditch. The vehicle came to rest on its driver’s side. The accident was reported at around 2:25-p.m.