CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (KCRG) – A national advocacy group has filed a federal civil rights complaint against the University of Northern Iowa, alleging that UNI promotes and administers scholarships that discriminate on the basis of race and gender. The Equal Protection Project (EPP) is behind the complaint. The group’s website says it “is devoted to the fair treatment of all persons without regard to race or ethnicity.” The EPP alleges that UNI offers, promotes, and administers 13 scholarships that violate Title VI and Title IX of the Federal Civil Act because they exclude people based on race, sex, or both. EPP says because UNI is a public university, these scholarships also violate the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. The Equal Protection Project has filed similar complaints. Earlier this month, the group filed a civil rights complaint against the school district in Rochester, Minnesota alleging discrimination on the basis of race in a couple of its programs that receive federal assistance.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – The Linn County outdoor warning system malfunctioned Wednesday morning, causing the sirens to sound. Linn County Emergency Management said technicians are working to resolve the issue with the siren vendor. Sirens could be heard going off in Cedar Rapids around 10:30 a.m. Officials said there was no threat to public safety. Linn County Emergency Management said anyone with questions regarding the outdoor warning system can contact them at 319-892-6500.
BUCHANAN COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) – A Rockford, Illinois man will spend up to ten years in prison after pleading guilty in a sexual abuse case in Buchanan County. Court records show Logan Hilliard pleaded guilty last year to two counts of Third Degree Sexual Abuse and one count of Enticing a Minor Under 16. Several other charges were dismissed as part of a guilty plea. Court filings show Hilliard was sentenced Tuesday to ten years for each count of Sexual Abuse and five years for Enticing a Minor. Those sentences will run concurrently, meaning Hilliard will only serve up to a decade in prison. Hilliard turned himself in to Buchanan County Jail in January 2024. Authorities said Hilliard had been under investigation since November 2023 after text messages surfaced detailing solicitations and sexual encounters. Law enforcement said the victim was interviewed at the Child Protection Center at Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo.
DECORAH, Iowa (KCRG) – Cody A. Whittle has been elected to the Decorah City Council by winning Tuesday’s run-off election to fill the vacant seat. Unofficial results from the Winneshiek County Auditor show Whittle received 857 votes (55.61%). Kent Klocke received 682 votes (44.25%). There were two write-in votes. Tuesday’s run-off election was announced after no candidate received at least 50% plus one vote during the general election.
