DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad says he’ll press President Barack Obama to issue a disaster declaration along the Missouri River during the president’s trip to eastern Iowa. The governor told reporters at his weekly news conference Monday that he’s scheduled to meet with the president during Obama’s trip to Bettendorf on Tuesday and will use the occasion to seek a federal disaster declaration. That would allow the federal government to pick up roughly 80 percent of the costs of damage to public facilities due to flooding.

The governor has already requested a federal disaster declaration. Branstad says he is hopeful that request will be granted in the next few days. With the president scheduled to be in Bettendorf, Branstad says it makes sense to use that occasion to reiterate his request.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) – Republican Michele Bachmann is casting herself as the “bold choice” in the 2012 presidential race. The outspoken congresswoman and tea party favorite formally launched her bid Monday in her Iowa birthplace, after first making her intentions clear at a debate earlier this month.

Outside a historic mansion in Waterloo, Bachmann says she’s waging the campaign “not for vanity.” Instead she says voters “must make a bold choice if we are to secure the promise of the future.”

Bachmann enters the race as an Iowa poll shows her near the front of the pack in the first in the nation caucus state. Bachmann played up her tea party ties but also made mention of her Democratic roots.

One person was arrested on an assault charge Sunday evening, in Adams County. The Sheriff’s Department says 56-year old Jeff Mendenhall, of Corning, faces a charge of Assault Causing Serious Injury.

Mendenhall was being held in the Adams County Jail.

Funds raised during the Cass County Relay For Life event held Friday evening in Atlantic exceeded those raised last year, by more than $5,000. Relay Chairperson Carole Schuler said $72,000 was raised for the American Cancer Society. Proceeds from the event will be used to find a cure for cancer. Last year’s Relay For Life raised $67,000.

Schuler said around 150 people took laps around the Atlantic High School Track to help raise the funds, and celebrate those who have survived cancer and those who lost their battle with the disease.