GARNER, Iowa (AP) — An October sentencing has been scheduled for a northern Iowa man accused of using a belt to spank a 4-year-old child. Hancock County court records say 33-year-old Charles Pennington, of Mason City, pleaded guilty to child endangerment after making a deal with prosecutors. The agreement calls for a five-year prison sentence, but the deal isn’t binding on the judge. The sentencing is set for Oct. 26 in Garner.

A criminal complaint says an investigation began in March after officials were notified about severe bruising on the boy’s buttocks, lower back and upper legs. Other children in the household told Britt police the child was beaten with the belt for “getting in trouble.”

(Radio Iowa) — Iowans are being urged to look around and single out people in their lives who are heroes and nominate them for an award, according to Rachelle Lipker at the American Red Cross. “We are looking for everyday heroes that we know are out there in the community,” Lipker says. “We have different categories for some heroes that we’re looking for.” Those categories include good Samaritans and those who helped during a disaster, people who go above and beyond in their everyday lives. “We’re selecting one winner from Nebraska and one from Iowa,” she says. “They will be presented awards at the Iowa-Nebraska game.”

That football game is scheduled for November 23rd at Iowa City’s Kinnick Stadium. All of us likely know someone who would qualify for the honor. “The lifetime hero is for an individual, just by the way they live, who is inspiring to others,” Lipker says. “We have a public servant award for an individual who is in the line of duty, such as a policeman, fire, military, medical.” Nominations are being taken through September 30th. Winners will receive tickets to the game and be recognized on field. Learn more and nominate someone here: https://www.redcross.org/local/iowa/about-us/news-and-events/events/heroes.html

(Radio Iowa) — The founder of the liberal “Daily Kos”blog says Democrats around the country have been winning in “weird, crazy” conservative places like Alabama and western Pennsylvania, but Markos Moulitsas says the depth of the so-called “blue wave” is still developing. “Can it filter down to places in Iowa where the demographics have historically been trending toward the Republicans? That’s actually one of the big questions of Election Night, of November,” Moulitsas says. “I think that question’s going to be answered by the intensity and the amount of work that people in places like Iowa put towards making those victories happen.”

Moulitsas was the keynote speaker at the 4th annual “Corn Feed” hosted by Progress Iowa yesterday (Sunday) afternoon. During an interview beforehand, Moulitsas cited primary and special election results indicating Democrats are voting at a rate that’s 10 and 12 points higher than turn-out for Hillary Clinton in 2016. Moulitsas says Republican turn-out may be lagging for several reasons, like the trade war. “I’m not seeing a lot of minds changing yet, at least I’m not seeing it in the data — either in Iowa or anywhere else,” he says. “I’m seeing Republicans tuning out because they thought they voted for something that they’re not getting.”

Moulitsas founded Daily Kos as a group blog in 2002. He’s the co-author of “The Resistance Handbook: 45 Ways to Fight Trump”.

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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MARION, Iowa (AP) — A man has been found guilty of killing a woman whose body was found rolled in a blanket inside a trailer in the Cedar Rapids suburb of Marion. Court records say 28-year-old Gregory Davis was convicted Friday of first-degree murder. Prosecutors say he killed 29-year-old Carrie Davis in September 2017. Authorities say the two were not related but had lived together. His lawyers say Gregory Davis never denied killing Carrie Davis. He claimed insanity and/or diminished responsibility as his defense.

The National Weather Service says unseasonably hot weather continues today, with temperatures and humidity far above normal and near the levels of two days ago. With the heat index approaching mid-90s this afternoon along with mostly sunny skies and light winds, the heat may be hazardous to those engaging in strenuous outdoor activities. Please be sure to drink plenty of water and take breaks in the shade or indoors.

(Radio Iowa) — A 12-year-old boy died in a lawnmower accident this weekend in northeast Iowa. The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office identified the victim as Carson McGrane of Fairbank. Authorities say the boy was operating a riding lawnmower Saturday afternoon in Fairbank when the mower rolled on top of him. McGrane was taken to a hospital where he died. It’s believed McGrane had shut down the mower, but it began to roll backward on an incline – hitting McGrane and pinning him underneath.

Officials with the Council Bluffs Police Department report two people were injured during a vehicle versus motorcycle collision that took place a little after 8:30-p.m., Sunday, at N. 27th and W. Broadway Streets. Authorities say a westbound vehicle attempting to turn south onto 27th St collided with a motorcycle traveling eastbound on West Broadway St.

The driver of the vehicle, 18-year old Dominick Kass, suffered minor injuries and was transported from the scene by private vehicle. The driver of the motorcycle was transported to Nebraska Medicine by CBFD and has unknown serious injuries. Their name was not immediately released, and pending notification of family.

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

ANKENY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa authorities are investigating a fatal police shooting in the Des Moines suburb of Ankeny. The Des Moines Register reports Ankeny Police Lt. Brian Kroska says an officer fatally shot a man suspected of robbing a Hy-Vee gas station Saturday after he pointed a handgun at the officer.

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe is going to Iowa this week to try to get fellow Democrats fired up ahead of November’s elections. The Washington Post reports that McAuliffe plans to visit Des Moines on Tuesday. In a written statement, McAuliffe said Democrats can’t afford “to sit on the sidelines when the heart and soul of our country is on the line.”

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A man previously arrested on suspicion of participating in a robbery that led to the stabbing death at a Council Bluffs homeless shelter has now been charged with first-degree murder in the case. Council Bluffs police say 20-year-old James Michael McCauley was served with a warrant for the upgraded charge on Thursday for the March death of 44-year-old Lee Johnson. McCauley was served at the Pottawattamie County Jail, where he was being held on the robbery charge.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A jury has convicted a Des Moines man of first-degree murder and burglary in the shooting death last year of his estranged wife. The Des Moines Register reports that 51-year-old Harold Dudley was found guilty Friday in the June 2017 death of 36-year-old Mary Dudley, of Des Moines. Prosecutors showed videos that captured Harold Dudley peering around a corner at his wife’s apartment holding a handgun before he kicked in her door and fired six times.

A handful of area school district Boards of Education will meet Monday evening during regular sessions. In each case, they will elect a Board President, Vice-President and set other administrative matters for the 2018-19 School Year.

In Griswold, the Board meets at 5:30-p.m. and will hear updates on construction projects, hold the second-reading of Board Policies, and act on approving a Gym Floor Maintenance Contract, as well as take possible action with regard to student activity passes.

The Exira/EHK School Board meeting gets underway a 6-p.m. Monday, and includes discussion/possible action on: Personnel Hires, Transfers/Resignations, etc.; the repair or replacement of a skylight in the Commons Area, among other matters.

The CAM School Board meets at 6:30-p.m., and is set to discuss/act on: Facility Projects; Resignations/contracts and several administrative matters.

And, the Audubon School Board will discuss and/or act on: The appointment of a Truancy Officer; Administrative Early Retirement and Future Administrative needs. Their meeting begins at 7-p.m.