Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:35 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa newspaper reports three women have accused a Democratic state senator running for governor of sexual misconduct that includes inappropriate touching. The women told The Des Moines Register in a report published Wednesday that Sen. Nate Boulton of Des Moines touched them inappropriately during separate incidents. Boulton released a statement apologizing to the women but indicated he had no plans to drop out of the race.

JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) — A Johnston mother who was sentenced to two years’ probation for leaving her children home alone to travel to Europe is appealing. The Des Moines Register reports that 31-year-old Erin Lee Macke filed an appeal on May 14. Police were called to Macke’s home in September and found her kids _ two 12-year-olds, a 7-year-old and a 6-year-old _ had been left alone the day before. Police say Macke failed to make proper child care arrangements before leaving Sept. 20 for a 10-day vacation in Germany.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Backers of a $117 million plan to bring recreation to downtown Des Moines say the rivers project would create a network of 80 water trails across central Iowa. The project centerpiece would be a series of whitewater features that would replace three dangerous low-head dams along the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers. Project backers have discussed it with Iowa’s congressional members, hoping to secure a third of the cost through state and federal grants.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A Democratic candidate for Iowa Secretary of State has been running a political action committee that is supporting his campaign despite a state law that appears to ban the practice. Jim Mowrer has continued to serve as treasurer of The Majority Rules, which has donated to and endorsed Mowrer’s campaign. A Republican Party activist alleges the relationship violates an Iowa law that bars candidates from directing political committees. A lawyer for Mowrer’s campaign says the law doesn’t apply.