IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Governor Terry Branstad has given a $5,000 bonus to the Iowa Civil Rights Commission director, commending her for firing problem employees and reducing its case backlog. The bonus announced yesterday for Beth Townsend signals Branstad isn’t backing off his controversial practice of granting bonuses to agency leaders that he believes deserve them. But spokesman Tim Albrecht says Branstad will continue using bonuses in “the rarest of circumstances” to reward high-performers.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A Fairfax man who successfully appealed a murder conviction has agreed to plead guilty to lesser charges in the case. Jacovan Bush pleaded guilty yesterday in Linn County District Court to substituted charges in connection with Thomas Horvath’s death. They include voluntary manslaughter, intimidation with a dangerous weapon and going armed with intent.

OTTUMWA, Iowa (AP) — An eastern Iowa man sought in a child endangerment case has been found and arrested. Authorities say 25-year-old Michael Blair of Swisher is being held in the Wapello County Jail on $200,000 bail. Police say Blair is suspected of child endangerment involving a seriously injured 2-month-old who was taken to an Ottumwa hospital on December 7th.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Prosecutors have dismissed a sexual abuse charge against Iowa State basketball player Bubu Palo, paving the way for him to rejoin the Cyclones. Palo was suspended from the team in September after being charged with sexually abusing a woman he was driving home in May.