Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The father of a 14-year-old boy shot to death early New Year’s Day in Des Moines is asking the public to come forward with information on the shooting. The Rev. Ron Woods tells the Des Moines Register that his son, 14-year-old Josiah Woods, was standing in a house’s enclosed porch when he was hit by gunfire from a drive-by shooting. The elder Woods says his son was not the target, “but he was the victim.” Des Moines Police Sgt. Paul Parizek says the shooting was deliberate and intentional, but that police don’t yet know who the intended target was.

UNDATED (AP) — Joe Biden is getting a high-profile endorsement for his presidential bid as congresswoman Abby Finkenauer becomes the first member of Iowa’s congressional delegation to take sides in the Democratic nominating contest. In an interview with The Associated Press ahead of her announcement Thursday, the congresswoman cites Biden’s experience and says he’s the candidate who can unite Democrats, independents and some Republicans. Finkenauer hosted nine presidential contenders at a November forum in her congressional district, demonstrating her potential influence. Polls suggest Biden is in a jumble of top contenders in Iowa along with Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg.

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Best-selling author and spiritual guru Marianne Williamson has laid off her entire 2020 campaign staff but is pushing ahead with her Democratic presidential bid. Williamson’s New Hampshire state director and senior campaign adviser Paul Hodes confirmed Thursday that he had been laid off and “that the others in the national campaign have been laid off.” A former campaign aide told The Associated Press that Williamson laid off her entire campaign staff on Dec. 31 because of financial concerns. The aide spoke on condition of anonymity because staff were told not to speak publicly about the layoffs.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Police in Council Bluffs in western Iowa say the traffic stop of a rental truck has lead to the seizure of 1,500 pounds of marijuana worth about $4.5 million on the street. Police say in a news release that the traffic stop occurred Wednesday afternoon on Interstate 80 in Council Bluffs, when the truck was stopped on suspicion of speeding. Police say a drug dog was deployed and indicated the presence of drugs in the truck and a search turned up 61 cardboard boxes packed with marijuana. The 35-year-old truck driver from Los Angeles was arrested on various drug charges.