The nation in brief

Clean up continues outside homes in Marshalltown, Iowa, on Saturday, July 21, 2018, two days after a devastating tornado blew through the city. The tornado here was among a flurry of unexpected twisters that swept through central Iowa on Thursday. (Kelsey Kremer/The Des Moines Register via AP)
Clean up continues outside homes in Marshalltown, Iowa, on Saturday, July 21, 2018, two days after a devastating tornado blew through the city. The tornado here was among a flurry of unexpected twisters that swept through central Iowa on Thursday. (Kelsey Kremer/The Des Moines Register via AP)

Many hands join cleanup in Iowa

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa -- Businesses and volunteers are pitching in to provide more than cleanup in the wake of the destructive tornadoes that swept through three cities in central Iowa last week.

A meatpacking plant provided hot meals to those in need Saturday in Marshalltown, a city of 27,000 people that was hardest hit, the Times-Republican reported. The Animal Rescue League joined with emergency management officials and a veterinary clinic to care for animals hurt or displaced.

The tornado that hit the city was among a flurry of unexpected twisters Thursday that injured at least 17 people and flattened buildings in Marshalltown, Pella and Bondurant.

Residents and weather forecasters were surprised by the storms, which left gaping holes in the sides of factories and homes. Vehicles were buried under toppled buildings.

Among the buildings hit in Marshalltown was the historic, 132-year-old courthouse. The Marshalltown Historical Society said Saturday that despite the exterior damage, "there was miraculously little damage to our collection."

Prison guards quit after officer slain

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Minnesota prison officials say three correctional officers have resigned after the killing of one of their colleagues.

Officials say officer Joseph Gomm was attacked Wednesday at the state's flagship prison in Stillwater by a convicted killer. Authorities haven't released details about the assault.

A spokesman for the state Department of Corrections told the Star Tribune that three officers later resigned, but that the reasons for their resignations won't be made public. They worked at either the Stillwater prison or a facility in Oak Park Heights.

Gomm's relatives said in a statement that they were devastated "by the senseless and tragic loss." They also thanked Gomm's colleagues and others offering support.

Old allegation jars Arizona candidate

PHOENIX -- A decade-old allegation of sexual assault has rocked a Democratic candidate in a primary for a Tucson-based congressional district.

Yahya Yuksel is facing calls to end his campaign after the Arizona Daily Star reported the allegation that he raped an intoxicated 16-year-old girl when he was 17.

The newspaper said Yuksel was not arrested or charged and the girl did not pursue charges.

Yuksel said he did not learn of a police report that contained the allegation until years later while he was working to become a lawyer in California. It was not clear who filed the report.

Yuksel said Friday that he did not rape the girl and was never questioned by police. He said he deeply regrets drinking and having sex that night.

"They should attribute it to alcohol, but they cannot attribute it to violence, they cannot attribute it to disrespect or breaking the law," he said.

Yuksel is one of seven Democrats vying for the seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Martha McSally, a Republican.

A Section on 07/22/2018

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