DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A judge says jurors will decide whether former Gov. Terry Branstad singled out a former state official for a pay cut because of his political party or sexual orientation. KCCI-TV reports Judge Brad McCall on Thursday rejected the state’s request to dismiss a long-running lawsuit filed by former Workers’ Compensation Commissioner Chris Godfrey. Branstad slashed Godfrey’s pay by 35 percent after the commissioner refused the governor’s request to resign in 2011. Godfrey argues that the pay cut and other retaliation was improperly motivated by his status as an openly gay man and Democrat.

BOONE, IA (IRN) – Police in Boone arrested two people yesterday in connection with a shooting that injured one person and placed nearby schools on lockdown. KCCI-TV reports the suspects will be each charged with attempted murder. The shooting victim is expected to survive.

BURLINGTON, IA (IRN) – A Burlington man faces several charges after having a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old. WQAD-TV reports the Burlington Police Department arrested Shawn William Dickenson, 33, of Burlington, on multiple counts of sexual abuse in the 3rd degree. The sexual relationship spanned a 4 month period of time.

IOWA CITY,A (IRN) – Iowa City firefighters rescued four people from a second story apartment Thursday after a fire started on the ground floor apartment. Firefighters rescued the four from the window of the second floor apartment when heat and smoke blocked their exit.

SIOUX CITY, IA (IRN) – Students at Morningside College are celebrating the college’s past by thinking of the future. KCAU-TV reports the 2019 graduating class is marking the school’s 125th anniversary by making a time capsule. Some items for the capsule include Morningside memorabilia including a poster from the championship football season. The time capsule will be stored for the graduating class of 2044 to open on the college’s 150th anniversary.