Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

COLUMBUS JUNCTION, Iowa (AP) — Federal budget reductions set to take effect today could fall like a meat cleaver on the small Iowa town of Columbus Junction, where a Tyson Foods hog processing plant dominates the economy. The White House is warning that 6,300 meat and poultry plants could be forced to temporarily suspend production because the cuts may require U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors to be furloughed for 15 days.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — House Republicans are moving forward with a controversial proposal that would require Iowa voters to show photo identification at polling places. Lawmakers in the state government committee approved the legislation in a 12-8 vote yesterday. The measure is backed by Republican Secretary of State Matt Schultz, who has filed identical bills in the House and Senate.

LETTS, Iowa (AP) — Authorities in east Iowa say three people have been killed and one injured in a crash involving an empty school bus. Iowa State Patrol says yesterday morning’s crash happened near Louisa-Muscatine High School in Letts. The deceased were from Burlington and have been identified as 78-year-old Katherine Newton, 75-year-old Barbara Higgs and 50-year-old Mark Kaltefleiter.

RITTER, Iowa (AP) — No injuries have been reported in the derailment of a freight train in northwest Iowa. Sioux City television station KCAU reports that 19 cars left the tracks a little before 6:30 a.m. yesterday near Ritter, about three miles north of Sheldon. The cause of the derailment is being investigation.