Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Republican presidential hopefuls have emphasized their opposition to gay marriage and abortion before a crowd of Christian conservatives who hold significant sway in Iowa’s leadoff presidential caucuses. Nine declared and prospective 2016 candidates appeared at a weekend forum sponsored by the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition and attended by more than 1,000 people in suburban Des Moines.

MARION, Iowa (AP) — Police arrested the 32-year-old man suspected of killing a woman in a grocery store parking lot in eastern Iowa. Marion Police said Sunday that Nicholas Luerkens of Cedar Rapids was arrested on a warrant for first-degree murder after he was released from the hospital. Luerkens was treated for self-inflicted stab wounds after Tuesday’s stabbing death of 29-year-old Lynnsey Donald of Marion.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — With farmers markets set to begin in dozens of cities across Iowa, vendors and market managers alike are pulling out all the stops to keep consumers coming back for more. National data suggest the tremendous growth in farmers markets has begun to ebb, with a slight decline in sales adjusted for inflation. But officials say customer and vendor retention efforts in Iowa have helped the state’s markets.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The future of the Des Moines agency that handles civil rights issues is unclear after losing two of its three employees. The Register reports city officials are considering closing the office and asking other departments or a state agency to handle the concerns.

A traffic stop late Saturday night resulted in the arrest of a Red Oak woman. Red Oak Police say a car driven by 31-year old Nina Marie Foster, of Red Oak, was stopped at around 11:45-p.m. at the intersection of North 2nd and East Corning Streets. During an investigation, officers determined Foster was Driving while Suspended. She was brought to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $300 bond.

A Council Bluffs police officer responding to an altercation near 19th Street and Avenue F Saturday evening, was assaulted while attempting to arrest the suspect. Authorities say at around 6:50-p.m., 22-year old Jordan Kostecki, of Omaha, was arrested for 2nd Degree Robbery, Assault a Peace Officer and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Official say the unidentified officer was kicked in the groin by Kostecki during the man’s arrest, following an investigation into the assault of 28-year old Ronald Rosenburg, who was working on his vehicle along Avenue F. Police say Kostecki hit Rosenburg in the face with his fist and entered his vehicle in an alleged attempt to steal it. Rosenberg yelled for his two friends inside the home at 1826 Avenue F. Both subjects came out and helped Rosenburg. They also held Kostecki until police arrived on the scene.

An attempted robbery in Council Bluffs Saturday evening ended with the suspect getting away empty-handed. According to Bluffs Police, a man entered the Family Dollar Store near 17th and Broadway at around 7-p.m., and displayed a semi-automatic handgun to the clerk. The suspect — a black male about 30-to 40-years of age, 5-feet 10-inches tall and weighing around 150-pounds – shoved the clerk toward the register, demanded money.

After the clerk was unable to open the cash drawer, the robber fled on foot. He was described as wearing all black clothing, having a tan hat and a striped scarf over his face.

Council Bluffs Police ask anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 712-328-7867.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — With farmers markets set to begin in dozens of cities across Iowa, vendors and market managers alike are pulling out all the stops to keep consumers coming back for more. National data suggest the tremendous growth in farmers markets has begun to ebb, with a slight decline in sales adjusted for inflation, but officials say customer and vendor retention efforts in Iowa have helped the state’s markets so far evade such a fate.

Kelly Foss, director of the Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market, says finding ways to ensure incremental growth each year is crucial to success as the market enters its 40th season. Todd Mills sells gourmet mushrooms, and he says his latest venture in Des Moines fills a niche currently unserved at the downtown market.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

WAUKEE, Iowa (AP) — Texas Senator Ted Cruz says he’s always been clear about his opposition to gay marriage — and a recent fundraiser hosted by two gay businessmen was no exception. The 2016 Republican presidential contender told reporters at this weekend’s Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition event in suburban Des Moines that the private fundraiser, first reported by the New York Times, was focused on foreign policy.

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A West Des Moines Catholic high school has approved a request by students to form a school-based gay-straight alliance called “One Human Family.” The Register reports that Dowling Catholic High School gave the approval for the club on Friday. The approval came just weeks after school officials drew criticism for opting to not hire a substitute teacher full time after learning he was gay.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Crews are preparing the old Riverfront YMCA building for demolition. Des Moines television station KCCI reports that asbestos removal crews plan to take out more than 40,000-square-feet of asbestos-laden ceiling tile and flooring before the 60-year-old structure is demolished. The building has been vacant since the Y moved to its new location on Grand Avenue.

BERNARD, Iowa (AP) — Two people, including a 2-year-old boy, have been killed in a single-vehicle rollover crash near Bernard in eastern Iowa. The Dubuque Telegraph Herald reports that that 20-year-old Ellen Edwards and 2-year-old Joseph Edwards, both of Bernard, died in the Friday evening crash.

A non-injury two vehicle accident occurred Saturday morning in Red Oak.  Red Oak Police report the accident happened at the intersection of Oak and 1st Street at 10:22am Saturday.

A 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis driven by 86-year-old Herbert Henry Behrhorst of Clarinda was travelling east on Oak Street and had just passed the intersection with North 1st Street when he decided that he wanted to go north on 1st Street.  Behrhorst then backed up on Oak Street to make the turn while a 2011 Ford Taurus driven by Jay Alan Klyn of Red Oak was negotiating a left hand turn onto E Oak Street.  Klyn then saw Behrhorst was backing up but couldn’t avoid a collision.

Behrhorst’s vehicle sustained $150 damage to the right rear, while the Klyn vehicle suffered approximately $2,000 damage to the left front corner.  Behrhorst was issued a citation for unsafe backing.

w/ Chris Parks

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A public hearing is set to take place Monday evening in Atlantic, with regard to the Proposed 2015-16 Atlantic School District’s calendar. The hearing begins at 7:30-p.m. in the Atlantic High School Media Center, as part of a School Board work session. During the hearing, patrons of the district may speak for or against the proposed Aug. 24th start date and related matters. Later in the work session, the Atlantic School Board will vote on approving the 2015-16 calendar and testing calendar.

In other business, the Board will act on approving the purchase of a heat pump for the high school, and hear from Gary Sinclair with PMA Financial Network, with regard to a Financial Planning Program for FY 2016 and beyond. They’ll also hear from the Building Leadership Team (BLT) from the Washington and Schuler Schools, and discuss the graduation/dropout rates.

A Red Oak man was arrested on Friday by Red Oak Police for Possession of a Controlled Substance Marijuana.  21-year-old Blake Mitchell Wilkinson was arrested at 9:00pm Friday and is being held at the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center on $1,000 cash bond.