DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Democrats searching for potential presidential candidates may find some in an unlikely place: city hall. A handful of Democratic mayors from around the country are considering the race in 2020, taking early steps in Iowa, which holds the first major contest of the presidential campaign. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti plans to visit Iowa Friday in hopes that his experience running a big city and facing touchy issues like immigration might distinguish him.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Supreme Court has dismissed the state’s efforts to confine two men convicted for sex abuse crimes indefinitely under the state’s law allowing civil commitment of sexually violent predators. The court concluded that Nicholas Wygle, of Aplington couldn’t be further held and concluded Ronald Tripp, of Hazleton should be released from civil commitment. The court says a high bar must be set for holding people after completion of prison sentences to avoid violating constitutional protections.

JEFFERSON, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa city is reviewing its animal control policies and suspending its practice of trapping and fatally shooting feral cats. City administrator Mike Palmer says Jefferson has had feral cat colonies for years. Palmer says the officers are trained to recognize when captured cats are wild and that the department kills about one cat a month. The city is looking to temporarily house up to 30 cats, pending the policy review.