IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – The Iowa Board of Regents is moving forward with a recommendation to close several academic programs at the University of Iowa, including the Gender, Women’s and Sexuality Studies major. University leaders discussed the proposal during Wednesday’s meeting, citing low enrollment and workforce alignment thresholds set by the Regents. University of Iowa Executive Vice President and Provost Kevin Kregel said his office reviewed enrollment data for programs falling below the Regents’ benchmarks — 25 students for undergraduate majors and 10 for graduate programs. Six undergraduate majors and one master’s program are recommended for closure. Gender, Women’s and Sexuality Studies currently has 12 students enrolled as majors, below the undergraduate threshold.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – About two-thirds of Iowa school districts will not meet state-mandated budget levels this year because state education funding is not enough to offset enrollment declines. The situation triggers what is known as the budget guarantee, a state law that requires school district budgets increase at least one percent each year. The law is designed to buffer districts facing declining enrollment from a sudden budget crisis. This year’s proposed 2 percent state funding increase has pushed more districts into that category than ever before. The Cedar Rapids School District is one of 10 districts that lobbied lawmakers to increase state funding by 5 percent this year. Cedar Rapids qualifies for the budget guarantee, meaning state funding alone will not meet the state’s mandated budget minimum. That would normally allow the district to raise local property taxes to cover the difference. Instead, the state will provide extra funding this year for districts that do not hit the budget guarantee threshold.
MONTICELLO, Iowa (KCRG) – A Monticello man was sentenced Wednesday to one year in federal prison for possessing firearms he was banned from owning, including at least two his grandmother purchased for him. 32-year-old Jonathan Clark pleaded guilty to one count of possession of firearms by a prohibited person in September 2025. Court documents show Clark applied for a weapons permit in 2018, when a sheriff’s office informed him he was banned from possessing guns. In June 2024, officers went to Clark’s residence to arrest him when they found ammunition. Officers executed a search warrant and found six guns. Investigators said Clark’s grandmother gave him three of the six firearms, two of which she had purchased for him. In addition to one year in federal prison, Clark was sentenced to three years of supervised release.
JOHNSTON, Iowa (KCCI/KCRG) – A Guthrie County woman is facing several charges after 34 cats suffering from severe health conditions were rescued from a home in Johnston. 35-year-old Claire Faalk was charged with four counts of animal neglect causing serious injury or death and two counts of animal neglect causing injury. On December 17, 2025, police responded to an animal welfare check at a home on Hyperion Point Drive in Johnston and rescued 34 cats from the residence. The cats were found suffering from severe ear mites, fleas, dental disease, and upper respiratory infections, according to officials. Working with Polk County Animal Control, the Animal Rescue League of Iowa removed the cats and transported them to its facility for treatment. Faalk was taken to Polk County Jail.
