DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An education reform measure continues to move through the Iowa Legislature. The Senate yesterday approved a measure that would emphasize reading in early elementary school classes and expand core classes to include arts and technology. It’s vastly different from the House-backed plan that has Governor Terry Branstad’s approval, which calls for more testing.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A federal appeals court has rejected a legal challenge to the Iowa commission that nominates candidates to serve on the state’s Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. The lawsuit, brought by conservatives, challenged the Judicial Nominating Commission’s makeup at a time when the panel was vetting applicants to replace three justices ousted by voters after legalizing gay marriage.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has asked a federal appeals court to reconsider a ruling that could hurt its ability to pursue class-action discrimination lawsuit against an Iowa trucking company. The agency filed the suit on behalf of more than 100 women who claimed they were sexually harassed by male drivers in the training program at Cedar Rapids-based CRST Van Expedited.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Des Moines man accused of shooting a kitten is charged with reckless use of a firearm and animal abuse. Roger Brass was arrested after an off-duty police officer heard a gunshot Saturday night and saw a small kitten fly from the front of the house. Police say Brass said he shot at the kitten because he was “mad at his parents.”