DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa has set a record for early voting, reflecting a push by the major political parties to lock in votes from supporters. As for Friday, 613,749 Iowans had voted, already exceeding the 2008 record of 545,000 early votes. About 70 percent of the votes were absentee ballots sent by mail to the voter’s home. They can be returned in person by 9 p.m. Tuesday. If they’re mailed, they must be postmarked by Monday.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — President Barack Obama told voters in Dubuque that he kept his promises to end the war in Iraq and to provide health insurance for millions of citizens. Obama and Romney held dueling rallies yesterday in Dubuque as they made a final push to win Iowa’s six electoral votes in Tuesday’s election.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Two Arizona telemarketers have been ordered by judges in separate cases to stop calling Iowa residents. In the first, a Polk County District Court issued an order Friday to permanently restrain Action Point LLC from soliciting Iowa residents. On October 26th, a different Polk County judge issued an Iowa soliciting ban for America Workshops LLC.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids has announced receiving a $2.1 million donation — the largest single gift in its history. The gift from Dyan and John Smith on behalf of transportation company CRST International will be used to create a new graduate center.