IOWA CITY, IA – Mumps is a growing problem at the University of Iowa. KCRG-TV reports school officials don’t see any sign the number of cases are slowing. On November 9th, Johnson County reported 116 cases of mumps, with the vast majority believed to be at the UI. As of Monday, that number grew to nearly 200 cases.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa health officials say only half of all potential contracts for Medicaid services have been signed ahead of the state’s switch to privatized care on Jan. 1. KWWL-TV reports Gov. Terry Branstad says the privatization move will offer better care and save money. Some lawmakers and health professionals have criticized the timeline for the switch.

BLOOMFIELD, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is investigating the death of a man in rural Davis County as a homicide. Investigators identified the victim as 39-year-old Michael Thomas Goodwin Sr., of Bloomfield. The DCI began assisting the Davis County Sheriff’s Office on Sunday after deputies found the dead man while doing a welfare check.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A vehicle fatally struck a man crossing Hubbell Avenue in east Des Moines Tuesday evening, according to KCCI-TV. Police say the man crossed the street in an erratic manner when the vehicle hit him. Authorities said the driver stayed at the scene and cooperated with police.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa has the top high school graduation rate in the country. Data released Tuesday by the National Center for Education Statistics show Iowa ranked first among all states with a graduation rate of 90.5 percent for the 2013-2014 school year. The national high school graduation rate is 82.3 percent. The worst state? New Mexico, with a 68.5% graduation rate.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The animal ethics group PETA (PEET-uh) is planning an unusual protest at a downtown Des Moines intersection Wednesday. KCCI-TV reports PETA wants families to rethink their holiday food choices with a banner reading, “Try to relate to who’s on your plate: Go vegan this Christmas.” The protest will feature a nearly naked woman on a giant plate complete with cutlery and a side of vegetables.