EVANSDALE, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say hunters have found bodies believed to be two young Iowa cousins who disappeared while riding their bikes in July. Black Hawk County sheriff’s Captain Rick Abben said during a news conference yesterday that the bodies were found Wednesday afternoon, though he wouldn’t say where. Eleven-year-old Lyric Cook and 9-year-old Elizabeth Collins vanished July 13th near Meyers Lake in Evansdale, about 110 miles northeast of Des Moines. About 70 people gathered at the lake last night to mourn the girls.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Democratic Party’s top two leaders are stepping down. Sue Dvorsky and Norm Sterzenbach will leave their positions soon to pursue other interests. Dvorsky has been party chairwoman since June 2010 and Sterzenbach has been executive director since December 2006. The Democratic state central committee will choose replacements in January.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Cedar Rapids has removed a key post in its recovery efforts from the city’s historic 2008 flood. The Gazette reports the City Council decided Tuesday to eliminate its flood recovery director post. The position was first filled just over a year after the city’s historic flood in June 2008. The title had expanded to include reinvestment duties.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have identified a man who was fatally struck by a train in downtown Waterloo. Eli Ostby of Cedar Falls died instantly from the accident yesterday afternoon. Police say Ostby walked into the moving train at a crossing on Lafayette Street.