DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Overturning a landmark $1.5 million jury verdict, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that former Gov. Terry Branstad did not illegally discriminate or retaliate against a gay state official. The court found a lack of evidence to show that Branstad discriminated against then-Iowa Workers’ Compensation Commissioner Chris Godfrey because of his sexual orientation.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Gun deaths are surging in Iowa as a law is set to go into effect Thursday that will allow people to more easily buy handguns and carry them in public without training or a permit. A record 353 Iowa residents died from gunshot wounds in 2020, including 263 suicides and 85 homicides,

SIOUX CENTER, IA (IRN) – It’s been less than eight months since the 2020 presidential election, but Republicans considering runs for the White House in 2024 are already coming to Iowa to lay the groundwork for potential campaigns. The latest is Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton, who participated in a GOP event in Sioux Center Tuesday night.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – The emergency room at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids is seeing an uptick in traumatic-type injuries, and is specifically related to more e-scooters available in the city. Common activities, like bicycling and riding all-terrain vehicles also contribute to the recent increase in patients coming into the ER.

VICTORIA, BC (IRN) – Former Iowa State basketball star Bridget Carleton is headed to Tokyo to play for Canada in the Olympics. The Ontario native averaged 5.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game in qualifying. This will be Carleton’s first Olympics.