DES MOINES, – The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.4 percent in March, up slightly from 3.3 percent in February. Meanwhile, the U.S. unemployment rate increased to 4.2 percent in March. The total number of working Iowans increased to 1,664,000 in March, up 400 from February and 2,400 higher than one year ago. The total number of unemployed Iowans increased to 58,600 in March from 57,300 in February.

CEDAR RAPIDS – A former Iowa commissioner of public safety and U.S. attorney will run against Ashley Hinson in northeast Iowa as a Democrat. The Des Moines Register reports Kevin Techau is also a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He was a nominee of former President Barack Obama in 2013 to become the U.S. Attorney in the Northern District of Iowa.

INDIANOLA – The president of Simpson College was found dead Thursday morning during a wellness check. Iowa Capitol Dispatch reports 54-year-old Jay Byers did not make it to scheduled morning meetings. He was found unresponsive in the campus residence for the president shortly after. Byers also served as CEO of the Greater Des Moines Partnership before returning to his alma mater.

AMES – Police in Ames have arrested a man they say threatened to commit a mass shooting at Iowa State University’s graduation ceremony. KCCI-TV reports the campus police arrested 28-year-old Tanner Bandy of Nevada, IA, who has been charged with five counts of harassment and stalking with possession of a dangerous weapon. The victim in the case came forward to police and accuses Bandy of targeting her and having a specific plan to kill her and several others at commencement.