MOUNT VERNON, Iowa (KCRG) – Four instructors from Cornell College are recovering after being stabbed during a trip to China. The four instructors were visiting a public park in Jilin City when they were attacked. The instructors were in China as part of a teaching partnership with Beihua University. State legislator Adam Zabner said his brother was one of the victims. Zabner said “everyone is awake,” and that he believes his brother, David, will be ok. David is a PhD student in computer science education at Tufts, but was working with Cornell during the teaching program. Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks added that two victims are in critical condition and undergoing surgery. She’s been in contact with two of the impacted families, as well as U.S. and Chinese officials. “As far as we know, there was one [suspect]. I think they were taken into custody. I don’t know if they’re still in custody,” she said. “As far as we know, it was unprovoked and random. We don’t know any other motivation.” Cornell College has confirmed that no students were involved in the trip.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – On Monday, the Cedar Rapids Community School District (CRCSD) announced its intentions to sell Arthur and Garfield Elementary schools. Garfiled and Arther are some of the oldest buildings in operation in the district, having been built in 1914. Officials say the decision will not only honor the building’s historical significance but also allow the district to reduce operational costs. The Board of Education has reportedly come to separate agreements on both buildings. First, the District has agreed to sell Arthur Elementary to the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy (EIAA), a nonprofit dedicated to providing equitable arts experiences for all ages and abilities. As part of the agreement, EIAA will give the district a cash offer and a 10-year partnership with the district to offer additional free arts programming for CRCSD students. EIAA plans to repurpose the building to include studio rental spaces for local artists and several arts classroom spaces. Second, the District has agreed to sell Garfield Elementary to local developer Steve Emerson. Emerson, reportedly plans to transform the building into several apartments and a community space. As part of the agreement, CRCSD high school students in trade classes will be able to participate in some of the renovation work of the building. The district will also be given two apartments that may be leased to District employees, students, or other individuals affiliated with the district.
MUSCATINE COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) – At approximately 3:32 p.m. Monday, the Iowa State Patrol responded to the intersection of Highway 38 and Brookview Rd. for a report of a crash. Officials say a 2022 Kawasaki Motorcycle was traveling southbound on Highway 38 when it struck a 2016 Nissan Pathfinder that was attempting to turn westbound onto Brookview Road. The motorcycle was then struck by a 2011 Jeep Liberty that was traveling northbound on Highway 38. The motorcycle came to rest in the east ditch of the highway. The driver was taken to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and pronounced deceased. The driver of the Nissan was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of their injuries. The crash remains under investigation.
GATINEAU, Quebec (KCRG) – Aurélie Tran, an incoming University of Iowa gymnast, has qualified for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France. Tran will represent Team Canada. Tran took home the silver in the all-around at the 2024 Canadian Gymnastics Championships which guarantees her a spot on the Olympic team. She also brought home the silver on bars, beam and floor and had a fifth-place finish on vault. The Repentigny, Quebec, native will be the first gymnast in program history to represent the GymHawks in the Olympic Games. Incoming freshmen Sydney Turner and Cassie Lee also competed at the championships and the final spots for Team Canada will be announced on Friday, June 14.
