DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Governor Terry Branstad’s administration has agreed to stop allowing workers in state employee unions to voluntarily contribute to their health insurance costs. The Des Moines Register reported yesterday that Branstad halted the option in exchange for unions dropping a complaint about the voluntary plan filed with the Public Employment Relations Board.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Conservative state lawmakers have threatened to withhold state funding for an Iowa community college if the school spends tax dollars on a conference for gay youths. Sixteen Republican lawmakers released a statement yesterday threatening to vote down funding for the Des Moines Area Community College, which sponsors the Iowa Governor’s Conference on LGBTQ Youth. The conference is set for April 3rd at Prairie Meadows in Altoona.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Two Iowa men have pleaded guilty and face up to 40 years in prison for conspiring to rob a store in northeast Nebraska. Federal prosecutors say 20-year-old Terrence Miles of Sioux City and 19-year-old Austin Peters of Nemaha made their pleas on Tuesday in federal court in Sioux City. Peters also is known as Austin Stadler.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State basketball coach Fred Hoiberg has agreed to a new 10-year, $20 million deal with the Cyclones that will run through 2023. Hoiberg, who just completed his third season with the Cyclones, finalized the contract with Iowa State President Steven Leath and athletic director Jamie Pollard last night.