DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa state senator faces an ordinance violation charge for allegedly having an undeclared handgun during a screening at Des Moines International Airport. KCCI-TV reports that Republican Sen. Brad Zaun of Urbandale was cited Friday afternoon. The Des Moines Police Department confirmed that the gun was found on Zaun during his screening.

Senator Brad Zaun, (R-IA)

Police say Zaun does have a permit to carry the weapon.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowans who aren’t physically active who want to change course and start moving might consider a program called Walk With Ease, headquartered at Iowa State University. Alison Phillips, an I-S-U psychology professor, says the six-week self-directed program offers strategies to build stamina, manage pain and to develop a safe stride to limit injuries. “It’s a walking program designed for anyone who is new to exercise,” Phillips says. “It was originally developed for people who have arthritis but it’s been expanded to be really for anyone who would benefit from walking — which is pretty much everyone.”

Walking is a great way to increase physical activity and improve well-being she says, but it can be painful and difficult for some Iowans, especially those who have been sedentary for a long time or have a chronic health-related condition. That’s where Walk With Ease can help. Phillips says, “It includes six weeks of content to help people gain confidence in their ability to be physically active, to learn how to walk pain-free and even tips for staying active in the winter.”

Another important component, the program also includes weekly one-on-one online sessions with student health coaches. To those who are already physically active, walking may not sound like a big deal, but Phillips assures, it’s a powerful tool. “The research behind walking is that it has all of the benefits of other types of physical activity and sometimes even more, depending on what you’re talking about,” Phillips says. “It has mental health benefits, physical health benefits. It can give you more energy, reduce pain, improve mood. It even improves sleep.”

While the program is available to anyone, I-S-U researchers are looking to work closely with Iowans who meet certain criteria. “You are able to stand for 10 minutes without increasing pain,” Phillips says. “You have to have approval from a physician, and we would help you get that, and you have to be 60 years of age or older.”

For more information, visit: https://www.uturn.iastate.edu/project/walk-with-ease/

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

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A mother and son from Iowa have been arrested on charges accusing them of committing crimes while participating in the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol. The FBI says Deborah Sandoval of Des Moines and her son Salvador Sandoval Jr. of Ankeny were arrested Friday on federal warrants charging them with several offenses. Criminal complaints and affidavits detailing the allegations against the two are sealed and unavailable for public review. Both are charged with knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building without lawful authority and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) — More than 20 years after it was installed, the University of Northern Iowa plans to replace the UNI-Dome’s fabric roof. The Courier reports that the estimated $7 million to $8 million project was advanced by the Iowa Board of Regents’ property and facilities committee earlier this week. Regents are expected to approve the plan at a meeting Wednesday. Michael Hager with UNI told the committee that the project would replace only the fabric center portion of the roof. The rest of the roof is a plastic polymer that was installed in 2010 and is under warranty until 2040. The fabric portion, which was last replaced in 1999, was found to be deteriorating in 2019.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — Police say a suspect has been injured but is expected to recover following a shootout with a Davenport police officer. The Quad-City Times reports the incident began Thursday morning with a report of an armed robbery. Police developed a suspect in that crime, and just before 6 p.m., a Davenport officer reported that he had spotted a car being driven by the suspect in the earlier robbery. Several police cars converged on the suspect’s car, and police say the suspect rammed one of the police cars before becoming stuck in a snowbank. Police said that’s when the suspect and an officer exchanged gunfire, although police have not said who fired first in the shootout. Police identified the injured suspect as 30-year-old Clarence Washington of Davenport.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Des Moines man who police say intentionally ran over and killed a local college instructor has been convicted of second-degree murder in the case. The Des Moines Register reports that a jury found 50-year-old Jason Sassman guilty on Tuesday. Sassman had been charged with first-degree murder in the April 5 death of 38-year-old Lauren Rice. Police have said Sassman was using meth when he intentionally ran over Rice as she walked her dog, which also died. Rice was an instructor at Des Moines Area Community. Police say Sassman told investigators he ran down Rice because he believed she was a criminal about to kill someone.