From the KCRG-TV9 Newsroom:
Bus drivers for the Iowa City Community School District plan to strike the day classes start for the new year as negotiations fall apart. Discussions between the district and the driver’s union are said to have broken down after alleged disrespect and sexism during contract talks. City leaders say there have also been disagreements over better pay and working conditions following a nationwide shortage of bus drivers. The Iowa City school district has not commented on the sexism and disrespect claims.
More than 10,000 Iowans could receive student loan relief through a newly announced program. The U.S. Department of Education released state data on the number of people eligible for student loan relief under changes to what are called “Income-Driven Repayment” plans. Last Friday, the government started notifying more than 800,000 borrowers across the nation. Eligible borrowers do not have to take any further action. Those discharges will begin in about a month.
The Cedar Rapids teen charged in a fatal crash last October that left one woman dead and another seriously hurt is set to plead guilty to all charges later today. 18-year-old Zawadi Christophe is charged with vehicular homicide and operating while intoxicated. Investigators say he was driving erratically on 1st Avenue Southwest before he rear-ended a vehicle in front of him. The impact pushed the vehicle into on-coming traffic, killing one woman and injuring another. Christophe will also plead guilty today to charges surrounding a separate incident, as well. He’s charged in a shots-fired incident in Marion in July of last year. He’s set to plead guilty to all charges, including going armed with intent and intimidation with a dangerous weapon.
The Great Jones County Fair is now underway over in Monticello. This is one of Iowa’s most popular county fairs, drawing big crowds and bringing in some of the biggest names in music. This year’s lineup includes Pitbull on Friday and country music star John Pardi on Saturday.
