duhelados | Submitted

After sending mass emails to his supporters, State Rep. Christopher Rants said today he is giving up his bid for the Republican nomination for governor.The Sioux City lawmaker’s decision leaves only three in the race to challenge Democrat Gov. Chet Culver: Former Gov. Terry Branstad, state Rep. Rod Roberts of Carroll and 2006 lieutenant governor nominee Bob Vander Plaats, also of Sioux City.

With Valentine's Day cards, flowers and diaper coupons presented, divorce lawyers will return to their offices today to deal with what is annually the heaviest flow of clients.It seems counterintuitive, with Cupid and romance in the air every mid-February, but many divorce lawyers say their busiest period for walk-in consultations generally comes in the first two or three months of the year.