Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Organizers of the annual Iowa by the Sea Picnic in California say they have stepped up their organizing efforts and expect a bigger crowd this year. The Sioux City Journal reports the picnic began in 1900 in Pasadena and at one time drew more than 100,000 transplanted Iowans and their families. Retired Navy and Cedar Rapids native Commander Don Swenson estimates 200 people will attend the picnic Saturday near the battleship USS Iowa in San Pedro.

MISSOURI VALLEY, Iowa (AP) — A western Iowa state park has reopened after three years of work to repair and improve the park after devastating flooding in 2011. The Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil reports the Wilson Island State Recreation Area near Missouri Valley reopens Monday morning.

LE MARS, Iowa (AP) — An Akron man has been charged with first-degree murder after Plymouth County officials say he told them he caused the death of his mother. The Le Mars Daily Sentinel reports 44-year-old Jonathon Neunaber is jailed on $100,000 bond.

LECLAIRE, Iowa (AP) — Some LeClaire residents are expressing surprise at a police sergeant’s decision to shoot and kill a pelican they had named Wilbur. The Quad-City Times reports the sergeant killed the bird July 17th after the Department of Natural Resources asked that LeClaire police check out reports the bird was diseased and aggressive. On Wednesday, LeClaire Police Chief Shane Themas said police had no choice but to kill the bird.