WOODBURY COUNTY, IA (IRN) – The trial for Cristhian Bahena Rivera has been postponed until Jan. 25, 2021. Bahena Rivera has been charged for first-degree murder in connection with the death of University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts in 2018. Both the prosecution and the defense asked for the trial to be postponed because of COVID-19.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – The coronavirus is forcing budget cuts at the University of Iowa. The university said it’s due to a loss of funding from the legislature. University of Iowa President Bruce Harreld is cutting his salary in half, and salary freezes will be put in place for 4,200 employees and at least 32 positions are now under a hiring freeze.

WAUKEE, IA (IRN) – The City of Waukee is asking all of its residents, businesses and other agencies to reduce their outdoor water use by 50%. The city said that in the midst of a hot and dry summer it is experiencing an increase in water usage by its residents and businesses, including an increase in water used for irrigation and outdoor watering. Waukee is one of the fastest-growing cities in the state.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – A British defense contractor plans to open a $139 million facility in Cedar Rapids, creating 650 new jobs. BAE Systems produces a variety of military technology, with nearly all of its business coming from defense contracts.