Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:30 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Department of Agriculture is proposing a new set of administrative rules that could significantly improve the lives of dogs, cats and other companion animals in a state long regarded as among the worst in the nation for animal protection. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says he will submit the new set of rules to the state on Friday, beginning a process that requires a legislative panel review and public comment.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — The former administrator of Iowa’s third-largest city is suing the area’s biggest newspaper, claiming that its coverage was unfair and cost him his job. Former Davenport city administrator Craig Malin’s lawsuit against the Quad-City Times is set for trial Monday. A judge ruled Malin didn’t meet the high bar to sue for defamation but did allow him to sue for contract interference. Press freedom experts say the case is troubling.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Some Democratic presidential candidates are trying out new strategies to appeal to voters with just over four months until Iowa’s leadoff caucuses. Kamala Harris said Thursday that she would spend more time in Iowa and add some 60 staffers. Bernie Sanders is shuffling his early state staff, and Beto O’Rourke has turned his calls for gun control laws into a national strategy. The shifts signal that the race is entering a new stage, with precious few months for candidates to change their fortunes.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — The field manager of an Iowa hog farm has testified that a woman he was having an affair told him last year she was deathly afraid of her husband _ a man now accused of using a corn rake to kill her. Jerry Frasher took the stand Wednesday in the trial of Todd Mullis, who’s charged with killing Amy Mullis on Nov. 10 at the farm about 40 miles west of Dubuque. Frasher said he told Amy Mullis they had to cool things after Todd Mullis confronted him about text messages Frasher exchanged with Amy.