From the KCRG-TV9 Newsroom:
The University of Iowa will reimburse the state of Iowa $2 million after a discrimination lawsuit settlement. UI President Barbara Wilson said in a statement the Department of Athletics will foot the entire bill. The $2 million coming from the Athletics Department matches the amount of taxpayer money that was used to settle this lawsuit. 12 former players claimed the University of Iowa Athletics Department created a culture that suppressed black athletes in favor of white athletes.
The Iowa House is now considering a bill making it a requirement to reimburse the state in such settlements. The bill, HSB-229, would require any athletics department–either from Iowa, Iowa State or UNI–to reimburse the state’s general fund for any lawsuit settlement.
The calls continue this morning for Iowa Athletics Director Gary Barta to leave his position. Republican State Senator Annette Sweeney was among the first to call for Barta to resign. She said “we’ve got a stench hanging over our great University. And it’s called Gary Barta.” Listen Monday for a conversation between Sen. Sweeney and KXEL’s Tim Harwood.
Three students were taken to area hospitals with minor injuries after an accident yesterday afternoon involving two Linn-Mar school district buses. The accident at C Avenue and Brentwood Drive NE involved buses with Hazel Point Intermediate and Oak Ridge Middle Schools on board. The cause of the collision has not been released.
Avelo Airlines says it will officially begin flying out of the Dubuque Regional Airport on March 22. Free bus service will be provided that week to customers who need to return to their origination point at Cedar Rapids’ Eastern Iowa Airport. Avelo will operate twice weekly nonstop service between Dubuque and Orlando International Airport on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
And guided tours returned for the first time in three years at Brucemore in Cedar Rapids. They were put on hold at the Mansion in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Thursday tours restarted yesterday. “In Her Steps: Women’s History Tour” is in honor of Women’s History Month.
