IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Some Iowa City parents are asking the district to defy state law by requiring masks in school. The district was presented a petition with over 1,000 signatures. Those signatures are made up of other parents, community members, and medical professionals in the area.

EDDYVILLE, IA (IRN) – Eddyville residents sheltered in place Wednesday evening following a hazardous material incident at the town’s Ajinomoto plant. There was a hydrochloric acid spill.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – The Bishop of the Iowa Conference of United Methodist churches is recommending the churches no longer host the Boy Scouts. The Boy Scouts of America filed for bankruptcy protection after settling tens of thousands of cases of sexual assault going back decades. Bishop Laurie Haller says that the Boy Scouts did not have adequate insurance and, given the settlements and allegations, that places the churches in a position of liability. Scouts have, for years, gathered for their weekly events and ceremonies at various churches.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A proposed class-action lawsuit claims that Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ decision to cut off enhanced unemployment benefits for tens of thousands of Iowans violated state law and asks a court to reinstate their eligibility. The lawsuit seeks to make claimants eligible for potentially hundreds of millions of dollars in unemployment aid they have been denied since Iowa dropped federal pandemic benefit programs June 12.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Voters in Linn County will be asked, again, whether they want gambling in the area as a group has formed to make a third pitch to the community for approval. The Linn County Gaming Association started working to secure support in November to pursue a state gaming license. The state rejected Cedar Rapids casino applications two previous times.