From the KXEL NewsCenter:
Democrat Ritchie Kurtenbach won a Black Hawk County Supervisor seat in a special election Tuesday. Kurtenbach received 53% of the vote to succeed Dan Trelka, who resigned from the position to take a job in another state. Republican Jim Brown was second with 23% of the vote. He was followed by former basketball coach Cliff Berinobis (I) with 21% of the vote. Two other candidates, Bob Lincoln and Corey Timm, received 1% each. Kurtenbach will now serve out the remainder of Trelka’s term, through 2026.
From the KCRG-TV9 Newsroom:
Governor Kim Reynolds says she will not weigh in on bills going through the legislature, including a proposed casino moratorium that could soon be on her desk. The House Ways and Means Committee approved the moratorium bill that would stop development of a Cedar Rapids casino. Opponents of the casino are trying to push through the moratorium bill before the racing and gaming commission puts the casino proposal to a final vote next week.
The last of the four teens charged in a deadly shooting in Cedar Rapids entered an Alford plea to murder charges. 18-year-old Tramontez Lockett initially faced a first degree murder charge in the shooting that killed Michael McCune in February 2023 at the Tan Tara Apartments. His Alford plea to second degree murder means he does not admit guilt, but acknowledges there’s enough evidence to convict him. His sentencing is set for March 24.
A bill in the Iowa legislature would make wide-ranging changes to the state’s homeschooling programs. If passed, it would allow parents who homeschool their children to teach other children, and they could charge tuition. It also would get rid of requirements to teach science and social studies to elementary school students in some homeschool programs. Some argue it would empower homeschool families and protect parental freedom. Others called the bill a step backward for Iowa education. A state House subcommittee passed the bill Monday.
Coralville and North Liberty are agreeing to move ahead with a plan to sign off on construction of a roundabout at West Forevergreen Road and Jasper Avenue Northwest. Tiffin has already agreed. The roundabout is designed to smooth the flow of traffic in this rapidly growing area near Interstate 380. Work on the road has been slowed because parts of the land bordering this intersection belong to Coralville, North Liberty, and Tiffin, and another part belongs to a private entity.
A cheerleader at the University of Iowa says he plans to return to cheering after suffering a serious injury a week ago at Carver-Hawkeye Arena during Iowa’s game against Minnesota. The Athletic’s Scott Dochterman reported Austin Beam was performing back flips when he landed on his head. He suffered a concussion and a fractured shoulder blade. Beam told the Des Moines Register he is expected to be released from restrictions related to his concussion in the next few days.