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Iowa (early) News Headlines: Fri., July 6th 2012

News

July 6th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

ATLANTIC, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have identified a woman whose body was found in a western Iowa river. The Cass County Sheriff’s office says 31-year-old Nicole Roberts of Lewis was found dead in the West Nishnabotna River just before 11:30 p.m. Wednesday. Investigators say she drowned.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a man has died after being pulled from a burning house in Sioux City. The fire broke out early Thursday. Emergency crews found the man just inside the door and pulled him outside. He was pronounced dead at a hospital. His name hasn’t been released.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Conservative Iowa lawmakers are watching public opinion swing in favor of gay marriage. They fear if the GOP wins control of the Legislature in November and puts a referendum on the ballot, voters might not approve it. Iowa legalized gay marriage in 2009. Forty-five-hundred couples have been married in the state.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Alliant Energy is initiating appliance cycling to cut energy usage in Iowa as sustained high temperatures have resulted in peak electricity demand. The company began cycling air conditioners and electric water heaters Thursday for customers who voluntarily agreed to participate in an energy savings program.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Water providers in the Des Moines area are asking residents to repair leaking fixtures and avoid watering lawns until after 5 p.m. as part of a peak water alert issued Thursday. Customers used nearly 89 million gallons Wednesday. The record is 92 million gallons.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Lake Delhi may see federal funds to help rebuild a failed dam after all. The Federal Emergency Management Agency reversed course Thursday and approved Iowa’s appeal of its decision to deny the state money to help rebuild the dam that nearly drained the lake in 2010.