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

BELLEVUE, Neb. (AP) — Decades after they died, the military is seeing a surge in identifications of U.S. service members who had been classified as missing in action. The number of identifications will likely reach 200 this year, more than triple what once was the norm. The increase by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency is credited to increased funding and new techniques for tracking remains and identifying them. The soaring number of identifications followed years of complaints that the process was ineffective.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney Michael Avenatti’s brash confidence is being closely watched by Democrats in Washington and key political battleground states with a mix of intrigue and trepidation. Trump’s victory over more experienced politicians in the 2016 campaign has reshaped traditional views of who would make a viable presidential candidate. Yet some party leaders are worried about trying to replicate Trump’s approach by backing another untested and unpredictable candidate.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein says President Donald Trump’s attack on her handling of an allegation against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh is “ridiculous and an embarrassment.” The ranking member of the Judiciary Committee again denied she breached the confidence of Christine Blasey Ford, who said Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her decades ago. Feinstein responded to Trump’s claim Tuesday at an Iowa rally by saying, “Even the reporter who broke the story said it wasn’t me or my staff.”

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — For years the target of the chant “Lock her up!” at Trump rallies has been Hillary Clinton. Now it’s the senior senator from California, Democrat Dianne Feinstein. In Iowa for a rally Tuesday night, the chant came as President Donald Trump repeated his unsupported assertion that Feinstein leaked a letter written by the woman who accuses Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault when they were teenagers. Feinstein denies that she leaked the letter.

Atlantic Rising, in partnership with Hy-Vee, will be taking over the Christmas Box Program this holiday season. Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bailey Smith says “The program was started by the Atlantic Jaycees over 20 years ago and helps families and individuals in need of a Christmas dinner. Chamber Program Director Ashley Hayes says “Last year, the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce picked the program up until another community organization decided to take it on.”

Hayes said also “Atlantic Rising decided to adopt the program as their community project for the year and held a Trivia Night Fundraiser in February specifically for the project. Hy-Vee offered to partner with us this year to help with promotion of the project to reach out to as many people as possible and to supply the food items that will be in the boxes.”

This year, members of Atlantic Rising will help fill boxes with items families and individuals can use to cook Christmas dinner. The boxes will be filled and delivered December 20^th to those who have been nominated. To nominate a family or individual, or if you are interested in volunteering, contact Atlantic Rising at 712.243.3017 or ashley@atlanticiowa.com.

Officials with the Harlan Police Department report two men and a woman were arrested on drug and other charges, Monday. 22-year old Alexander Andrew Davied Lamar, of Avoca, 38-year old Matthew Wayne Tamms  and 33-year old Holli Danielle Polchow, both of Harlan, were arrested following a traffic stop at Chatburn Avenue and Cheyenne Avenue. All three were charged with altering or changing numbers, possession with intent to deliver, and possession of a controlled substance. Each was booked into the Shelby County Jail. Lamarr was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. Tamms was additionally charged with prohibited acts penalties.

On Oct. 7th, 30-year old Adreana Augustine Bernal, of Harlan, was arrested following a call for service in the 1600 block of Pine St.  Bernal was transported to the Shelby County Jail where she was charged with domestic abuse assault, and public intoxication.

And on Oct. 5th, 21-year old Justin Andrew Dickinson, of Harlan, was arrested on an active Shelby County warrant following a traffic stop around 5^th and Dye St.  He was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was also charged with carrying weapons.

Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman reports absentee voting is available for the November 6th GENERAL ELECTION.  Absentee ballots may be voted in the Cass County Auditor’s office through Monday, November 5, 2018 at 5 pm. 

IF VOTING AT THE COUNTY AUDITOR’S OFFICE: the absentee voter may come to the CASS COUNTY COURTHOUSE during the regular office hours of 8 AM and 4:30 PM, Monday thru Friday, up through the day before the election and cast a ballot.  In addition to regular office hours, the office of Cass County Auditor will be open Saturday, October 27, 2018 from 8 AM to 5 PM and Saturday, November 3, 2018 from 9 AM to 5 PM.  A voter may register and vote and an absentee ballot on the same day.

IF VOTING BY MAIL: A written request may be mailed or hand delivered to the County Auditor’s office.  (Absentee request forms are available at the auditor’s office and on the Secretary of State’s web site: sos.iowa.gov).  A ballot along with instructions on how to complete the ballot will be mailed to the requester.  For the ballot to be counted the completed ballot then must be returned either by personal carrier to the office of County Auditor before close of polls on November 6 or returned by mail postmarked no later than November 5.  Deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is 5 PM on Saturday, October 27.  All BALLOTS ARE TO BE RETURNED whether they are voted or not voted.  A postage paid return envelope is provided with each absentee ballot mailed out. 

VOTER REGISTRATION: In order to vote in Iowa a person must be registered in the person’s current county of residence, under the person’s current name, and at the person’s current address.

      The county election commissioner recommends that persons not currently registered or who have moved since last registering and are planning to vote in the November GENERAL ELECTION, pre-register in the office of the County Auditor as soon as possible.  You may register or re-register and vote absentee on the same day.  Last day to pre-register in the office of the County Auditor is Saturday, October 27 2018.

The address for the Cass County Auditor / Election Commissioner is:

CASS COUNTY AUDITOR, COURTHOUSE, 5 W 7TH ST, ATLANTIC, IOWA 50022

(Phone:712-243-4570;   Email: auditor@casscoia.us)