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Iowa News Headlines: Monday afternoon, March 5 2012

News

March 5th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A public hearing at the Statehouse on proposed changes to Iowa’s public school system is expected to draw a crowd of lobbyists and regular citizens tonight. The House is holding the hearing to offer people a chance to speak out on Governor Terry Branstad’s plan, which includes new testing and performance requirements for students.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — University of Northern Iowa professors whose programs are downsized will receive a year’s salary and other benefits to retire or resign under a program created by the Iowa Board of Regents. The regents voted 8-0 today to approve the Early Separation Incentive Program. Employees interested in receiving the benefits will have to apply for the program by April 23rd.

WEBSTER CITY, Iowa (AP) — U.S. Highway 20 in north-central Iowa has reopened after two separate chain-reaction collisions that sent eight people to the hospital. The pileups happened this morning east of Webster City. The Iowa State Patrol says 22 vehicles were involved in the westbound crash, with seven others on the eastbound side. Two people are in serious condition.

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — A man charged in a deadly 2010 motorcycle crash in Mason City has pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide. James Bollinger entered his plea during a hearing today. Bollinger told the judge he was drunk the night he slammed his car into a motorcycle, killing Tim Wurtzel of Hanlontown.