Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Congressman Steve King says he will not run for the U.S. Senate. That opens the race to lesser-known Republican aspirants in the race to succeed Democrat Tom Harkin. Republicans need six seats to gain control of the Senate. Harkin announced his retirement in January.

CLARION, Iowa (AP) — The father of a boy accused of fatally shooting his mother says he thought his son was joking about the death. Noah Crooks faces charges of first-degree murder and assault with intent to commit sexual abuse. William Crooks said his son had a loving but sometimes stormy relationship with his mother.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — A funeral is scheduled this weekend for one of two cousins abducted in Evansdale and later found dead. The service for Elizabeth Collins is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. at Waterloo Memorial Park Cemetery. The cousins went missing in July after riding their bikes in Evansdale. Hunters found their bodies in a wooded area in December.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A former manager at a kosher slaughterhouse in Iowa has appeared in a U.S. courtroom on charges that he harbored immigrants in the country illegally. Hasam Amara pleaded not guilty to an indictment charging him with 25 counts related to harboring people in the U.S. illegally and two counts related to document fraud.