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Iowa early News Headlines: Tue., June 30 2015

News

June 30th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A jury has ruled that the former dean of the University of Iowa law school didn’t commit political discrimination when she passed over a conservative lawyer for teaching jobs. The federal jury in Davenport rejected Teresa Manning’s claims that Dean Carolyn Jones rejected her because of Manning’s political beliefs and associations. The verdict is a victory for the university in a long-running case that has been closely watched in higher education. It came after a six-day trial, which was the second in the case after an unusual mistrial in 2012.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad has extended a state of disaster emergency through July 31 in response to the bird flu outbreak in the state. The declaration was the second extension of the original disaster proclamation. It otherwise would have expired Wednesday. The virus has infected more than 31.5 million birds in Iowa, mostly egg-laying chickens, making the state the hardest hit in the nation.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The board that governs Iowa’s public universities has let go a 29-year employee who had been its spokeswoman for years. Communications director Sheila Doyle Koppin’s job has been eliminated. Her last day was Friday. The change comes after the board acknowledged last week it will also soon be cutting ties with Tom Evans, its longtime general counsel.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have reopened a major street near downtown Des Moines that was affected by flooding from the nearby Raccoon River. A portion of Fleur Drive along Gray’s Lake Park reopened Monday afternoon. The current level of the Raccoon River along the street continues to recede. The current level of the nearby Des Moines River is also receding.