DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Board of Regents will not require students and faculty at the state’s three public universities to receive a COVID-19 vaccine before returning to campus in the fall. Regents President Mike Richards is strongly encouraging them to get the vaccine but is not mandating it.

JOHNSTON, IA (IRN) – Gov. Kim Reynolds addressed the national pause on the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine Wednesday. Reynolds said the impact shouldn’t slow vaccinations much as the state’s allocation of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is low in comparison to the Moderna and Pfizer versions.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa lawmakers are moving forward on a series of measures they said are designed to protect police officers. The wide-ranging, so-called “Back the Blue” bill comes in response to last summer’s protests. The bill makes rioting a felony instead of a misdemeanor and also increases penalties for blocking streets and highways, destroying public property and criminalizes shining lasers at police. It also makes drivers who hit protesters immune from civil liability in some circumstances.

IOWA (IRN) – The latest National Infrastructure Report Card gives the state of Iowa a “C” grade. More than 4,571 bridges and 403 miles of highway in Iowa are in poor condition, and it’s costing the average driver in the Hawkeye state more than $330 a year.

MARION, IA (IRN) – A police dog in Marion has new protection, all thanks to a local hair salon. Silas received the “bullet and stab protective vest” last week. It’s custom fit for Silas through the non-profit group Vested Interest, which provides K9 vests. Epic Salon and Spa donated to Vested Interest to get the vest.