Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:50 a.m. CDT

GUTHRIE CENTER, Iowa (AP) — Investigators say arson was the cause of a house fire in central Iowa that killed two girls and severely injured their uncle. Law enforcement officials said Wednesday that the girls, who were cousins, have been identified as 16-year-old Shakiah Cockerham and 12-year-old Melanie “Paige” Exline, both of Guthrie Center. Their uncle, 54 year old William Long III, suffered severe burns to his upper body in the Monday afternoon fire and was flown to an Omaha, Nebraska, hospital.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s governor says he’ll issue a disaster proclamation for two northern counties. Gov. Terry Branstad said the proclamation will be signed Thursday for Kossuth and Webster counties in response severe weather Tuesday. The action allows state resources to be used to aid in recovery efforts.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Strong storms are sending heavy rain, strong winds and hail across Iowa as most of the state remains under a tornado watch and some parts have seen tornado warnings. The storms Wednesday came a day after powerful thunderstorms blew through much of the state, damaging homes and other buildings and knocking down trees, limbs and power poles, leaving thousands of people without power.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A Missouri Valley woman has been sentenced to nearly 16 years in federal prison in a sex abuse case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for southern Iowa says Trudy Thomsen was sentenced Wednesday after pleading guilty last year to transporting a minor with intent to engage in sexual activity. Prosecutors say Thomsen and her co-defendant, John Thomsen, used social media to convince a 14-year-old girl and another teen to come live with them in Missouri Valley, where one of the girls was sexually abused.