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

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — One of the men charged in the stabbing death of a man who was found buried at a Cedar Rapids home pleaded guilty to lesser charges. Thirty-four-year-old Drew Wagner pleaded guilty Monday to voluntary manslaughter and four other charges in the December 2018 death of Chris Bagley. Wagner originally was charged with first-degree murder. Bagley’s body was found buried at a home in southeast Cedar Rapids on March 1, 2019. A second suspect, Drew Blahnik, is awaiting trial on first-degree murder charges. Another man is charged with obstruction and abusing a corpse and a fourth man is serving a jail sentence on a connected drug case.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The number of new positive coronavirus cases has increased significantly in recent days as the state surpasses 26,000 positive cases and deaths are approaching 700. Data from the Iowa Department of Public Safety shows total positive cases Sunday increased by 441 cases from Saturday’s total at the same time. Nearly 300 new positive cases were reported Saturday and 389 on Friday. Data posted by public health officials Monday indicated 26,048 Iowans now test positive, an increase of 183 cases in 24 hours. One additional person died, bringing the state total to 686 deaths. Also Monday, the University of Iowa Athletic Department reported its testing last week of student-athletes, coaches and staff found nine testing positive, bringing the athletic department’s total to 12 positive tests.

NEVADA, Iowa (AP) — A man who was reportedly knocking on doors and carrying a sword died in Nevada, Iowa, after being shocked with a stun gun. Nevada police said officers were called at 2:44 a.m. Monday to check reports of a man carrying a sword and knocking on doors. Officers found a man sitting in a grassy area near a mobile home park with a sword. Nevada officers ordered the man to drop the sword but police said he stated, “It stays in my hand.” Officers then used a Taser to shock the man, and they then retrieved the sword and handcuffed him. Medics were called, and as they treated the man he stopped breathing. He was taken to a hospital, where he died. Police didn’t immediately identify the man.

BEDFORD, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa man is facing a first-degree murder charge after a fatal stabbing in Bedford in southwest Iowa. The Iowa Department of Public Safety said the stabbing was reported around 11 p.m. Saturday. Sixty-two–year-old Penny Sue Godfirnon, of Bedford, died. Authorities said 32-year-old Christian Andrew May, of Bedord, was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder and willful injury. He is being held in the Taylor County Jail.