MEDIAPOLIS, IA (IRN) – A contractor died after falling from a moving truck, according to KBUR-radio. The worker fell from the truck while he was picking up road signs outside of Mediapolis yesterday. The worker, who was identified as a private contractor from Stockport, was not named, pending notification of family.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – The University of Iowa recently announced it’s cutting $3.4 million in scholarships to keep up with state budget cuts. Now, the first class action lawsuit has been filed against the university for taking away those scholarships. A Des Moines law firm filed the lawsuit in Polk County representing one of the 2,500 Iowa students who had their scholarship taken away without warning. Other students are invited to join the lawsuit.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A man who allowed his teenager to invite friends to his house for a party, provided them alcohol and then had sex with a 13-year-old girl after she was drunk, has been ordered to pay $127 million to the victim and her family. KCRG-TV reports 47-year-old James Lee Hohenshell of Bondurant will also serve just over two years in prison.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A “personhood” bill that would effectively ban abortion in Iowa has passed out of a legislative subcommittee. The measure would recognize that life is protected from the moment of conception, effectively making abortions illegal. The bill would also prohibit the use of certain contraceptives.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Early voting in Iowa would be reduced under a bill approved by a House subcommittee that also requires voters to show identification at the polls. KCCI-TV reports the bill shortens early voting from 40 days to 29 days. The bill would also eliminate the option of voting straight party with a single mark on a ballot.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A bill to consolidate counties is under consideration in the legislature, according to WHO-TV. The lawmaker who introduced it says having so many physical county courthouses is simply unnecessary in the age of the internet. The resolution calls for a constitutional amendment to allow the legislature to reorganize counties and relocate county seats. It would need to pass two general assemblies and get voted on by the people of Iowa before becoming a reality.