MOLINE, Ill. (WOI/KCRG) – A former John Deere executive has filed a federal gender-based discrimination lawsuit against the company. Laura Eberlin worked at Deere for 24 years and served as Foundation Vice President. According to the lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois on Friday, Eberlin took on most of the foundation president’s duties after Nathan Clark resigned in March 2024. She claims she received no pay raise despite the increased responsibilities. Eberlin says the company reassigned her after she pushed for pay adjustments. The lawsuit names Mara Downing, a Deere vice president, as directing the reassignment. After months of conflict over the pay raise, Eberlin resigned in November 2024. She later tried to withdraw her resignation, but the company declined. Eberlin applied for the open foundation president position after leaving the company, but John Deere confirmed she was not interviewed for the role. The lawsuit also claims a Deere representative contacted Eberlin’s new employer, the University of Iowa, in what she claims as continued retaliation. Eberlin is suing for lost wages, damages, and attorney fees and other relief under federal and state civil rights laws. Deere denies all the allegations. A trial date has not been set.
DES MOINES, Iowa (WOI/KCRG) – The Iowa State Patrol responded to more than 80 crashes from noon Saturday to noon Sunday as snow created hazardous driving conditions across the state. Eleven of the crashes resulted in injuries, according to officers. No fatalities were reported. The crashes occurred despite lighter snowfall amounts compared to last weekend, but still enough to create dangerous road conditions.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – The Cedar Rapids Community School District (CRCSD) said it has some tough decisions to make in the coming months. That’s because it needs to cut out more than $11 million from its budget. This district said it expects to lose $11 million next year because of carry over from this year’s deficit, salary increases, and a drop in enrollment of students leaving to attend schools outside the district like the new charter school CR Prep. That’s why it’s looking at ways to reduce and consolidate, but right now nothing is decided. It said it’s looking to the community to help it decide what to cut. The school board has looked at options, and some of them could mean big changes. Some of those options include closing Truman Early Learning Center and relocating stand-alone entities like City View and Metro High Schools as well as Polk Alternative Learning Center into existing high schools. Another option could see non-teaching employees lose their jobs. One custodian with the district said custodial staff has already been told that they may all be out of work in the future. One of the biggest reasons the district is in such a tough spot financially is because its losing money as enrollment declines.
DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) – An Amana Republican announced his campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives in Iowa’s 1st Congressional District Monday. Tyler Hegewald announced his campaign through a statement on social media Monday. Hegewald says he is running for Congress to restore fiscal responsibility, strengthen supply chains, and support policies that lower costs for small businesses and families. “Iowans deserve a representative who understands the challenges our communities face and is ready to fight for real solutions,” Hegewald said. “I’m running for Congress because working Iowans deserve a voice that puts people before politics, protects our freedoms, and brings common-sense leadership back to Washington.” Hegewald, born and raised in Amana, says he was a small business owner and is currently a restaurant server. Hegewald says his campaign will focus on ensuring Iowans have a strong advocate in Congress. “Today’s launch is just the beginning,” Hegewald added. “I look forward to meeting voters across the district, listening to their priorities, and building a movement focused on a better future for Iowa.”
