DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Four relatively unknown Iowa Democrats are competing in a primary Tuesday to take on Republican Sen. Joni Ernst. The endeavor was once viewed as a long shot. But Ernst’s slip in approval and the rallying of Iowa and national Democrats behind one of the four has the race receiving a second look.

FILE – In this May 19, 2020, file photo, Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, speaks with reporters after a Senate Republican weekly luncheon on Capitol Hill in Washington. Four relatively unknown Iowa Democrats are competing in a primary Tuesday to take on Ernst. The endeavor was once viewed as a long shot. But Ernst’s slip in approval and the rallying of Iowa and national Democrats behind one of the four has the race receiving a second look. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)

For now, Ernst still is in a strong position heading into the fall. But as Democrats are increasingly bullish about their prospects in places such as Arizona and Colorado, the Iowa race is getting renewed attention as a potential battleground that could help the party regain the Senate majority.

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

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Officials imposed a curfew in Polk County, home to Des Moines, after two nights of protests resulted in vandalism and arrests of dozens of people. Polk County issued the mandatory stay at home order, which is effective from 9 p.m. Sunday to 5 a.m. Monday. The curfew came after several large gatherings Friday and Saturday night in downtown Des Moines to protest the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Like many of the Floyd protests around the country, a day of peaceful demonstration on Saturday devolved into unrest after the sun went down. Police spokesman Sgt. Paul Parizek said 47 people were arrested early Sunday.

CHICAGO (AP) — More Republican women than ever are seeking House seats this year after the 2018 election further diminished their limited ranks in Congress. But so far it appears that any gains this November could be modest. Many of these roughly 200 candidates are running in safe Democratic districts. In friendlier Republican territory, some are struggling to win primaries and they’re facing long-standing challenges such as fundraising that the pandemic has only worsened. That’s left some Republican women questioning their party’s commitment to the effort and warning about longer-term effects. The fear among some Republicans is that failing to elect more women will hurt the party as female voters increasingly support Democrats

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — State health officials say two more people died with COVID-19, so the state has had 533 deaths as part of the coronavirus outbreak. The Iowa Department of Public Health said Sunday that 19,488 people had tested positive for COVID-19, an increase of 245 since Saturday. More than half of the state’s confirmed cases were concentrated in seven counties: Polk, Woodbury, Black Hawk, Linn, Marshall, Dallas and Buena Vista. For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up in two to three weeks. For some infected people, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the virus can cause severe illness and death.

HIAWATHA, Iowa (AP) — A shooting in eastern Iowa killed one man and injured three other people. Authorities say the shooting happened at a mobile home park in Hiawatha around 11:40 p.m. Saturday. Police arrived to find four people with gunshot wounds, and 31-year-old Joshua Lathrop died at the scene. The three other victims were taken to the hospital for treatment. Their names weren’t immediately released. Police did not announce any arrests in the case Sunday. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is leading the investigation into the shooting.

The Polk County Board of Supervisors announced Sunday evening a curfew for the county. KCCI reports the announcement states, “Due to the violent outbreak of civil unrest that has taken place in the past two days, Polk County is issuing a mandatory stay-at-home curfew effective immediately.” The curfew begins 9 p.m. Sunday and goes until 5 a.m. Monday.

According to the statement, Gov. Kim Reynolds has supported this notion.

The Iowa Department of Transportation reports Interstate 480 eastbound at Exit 53 (Highway 6, in Council Bluffs), is blocked by emergency vehicles until 5-a.m. Monday. A curfew is in-place for Council Bluffs from 8-p.m. Sunday (5/31) until 6-a.m. Monday (6/1).

Atlantic Fire Department personnel were called to the scene of a residential structure fire Sunday afternoon. At around 5:41-p.m., a caller reported flames visible from 60091 Boston Road. The person didn’t think anyone was at home when the call was made.

(Ric Hanson photo) Picture taken from Chicago Road, about 1 mile south of the fire.

Firefighters reported at about 5:55-p.m., the home was fully engulfed in flames, and called for Marne Fire to bring their tanker truck. The flames were easily visible from Chicago Road, which is about one-mile south of the burning residence. Smoke was visible for as much as three-miles away.

Additional details are currently not available.

HIAWATHA, Iowa (AP) — A shooting in eastern Iowa killed one man and injured three other people. Authorities say the shooting happened at a mobile home park in Hiawatha around 11:40 p.m. Saturday. Police arrived to find four people with gunshot wounds, and 31-year-old Joshua Lathrop died at the scene.

The three other victims were taken to the hospital for treatment. Their names weren’t immediately released. Police did not announce any arrests in the case Sunday. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is leading the investigation into the shooting.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska officials are imposing a curfew and the Nebraska national guard is being mobilized to help police after a man was killed during a demonstration in downtown Omaha over the death of George Floyd. Mayor Jean Stothert is declaring a State of Emergency in Omaha and is implementing an 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew starting Sunday night, she announced during a news conference Sunday. It will last for 72 hours, she said. The order also prohibits gatherings of 25 or more and is punishable by misdemeanor, fine of up to $500 or not more than 6 months in jail.

The shooting occurred at around 11 p.m. Saturday in the city’s Old Market area and within a couple of blocks of where protesters had gathered. Police said they arrested someone within the hour in connection with the shooting of 22-year-old protester James Scurlock.  Officials didn’t say what led to the shooting during the protests. The protest in downtown Omaha followed one hours earlier a few miles away that started peacefully but devolved into clashes between protesters and police.

Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer said police made 51 arrests Saturday night. Schmaderer said the majority of those arrested were white suspects and they are in the process of compiling information on arrests to be set to media. The FBI will do background on all suspects arrested, he said.

Police in Council Bluffs said Sunday that the City of Council Bluffs has implemented a curfew of 8-p.m. Sunday (tonight). In their social media statement, authorities said, “We have received several messages, calls, and emails from concerned citizens about planned protests and/or riots happening tonight in Council Bluffs. We have taken all of your information seriously and we can provide the following information:
1. There are no active permits in place for lawful protests scheduled for today.
2. The City of Council Bluffs has implemented a curfew of 8 p.m. tonight.
3. We will have additional staff available to address issues as they arise.