Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:20 a.m. CST

CHICAGO (AP) — Hundreds of flights were canceled and schools in several states are closed after a snowstorm blanketed much of the Midwest. The National Weather Service issued blizzard and winter storm warnings Sunday for a large swath of the central Plains and Great Lakes region. Flight-tracking website FlightAware reports more than 1,200 flights headed to or from the U.S. were canceled. Schools in parts of Kansas, Missouri, Iowa and Illinois called off Monday classes.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Officials in Dubuque are beginning the process of building a new water tower to improve water pressure that has worsened due to residential growth. The Telegraph Herald reports officials have started an environmental review for a proposed 1.2 million-gallon tower to replace a tower at Eagle Point Park. It would be higher and bigger than the current 500,000-gallon Eagle Point Park tower. The city is seeking state funding to help pay for the project.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Amtrak ridership in Iowa has dropped more than 4 percent. The Des Moines Register reports that 57,955 people boarded Amtrak passenger trains at Iowa’s six stations during the 12 months ending Sept. 30. That’s more than 4 percent down from the previous year and nearly 16 percent less than Iowa’s record ridership year of 2010. Rail supporters continue to push for expanded service, especially a route from Chicago traveling through Iowa City and Des Moines to Omaha, Nebraska.