Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — University of Iowa researchers privately warned that the coronavirus would continue spreading through the state even before Gov. Kim Reynolds relaxed social distancing policies, a move they said would exacerbate the problem. In a report to the Iowa Department of Public Health on April 27, the university experts said that Iowa had not reached a peak and reopening the state economy before then would “result in a rapid rise of cases.” In a paper dated May 4, they found that the virus was still likely growing. They said that Iowa’s school and business closures and other steps had strongly mitigated the spread of infection but nonetheless were not “sufficient to prevent uncontained spread.”

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — In the days before his death, an Iowa meatpacking worker told his nephew that the coronavirus was spreading through his plant due to crowded spaces and a lack of personal protective equipment. Husen Jagir died on May 1, about a week after he fell ill following a shift at the Seaboard Triumph Foods plant in Sioux City. The plant, which is one of the nation’s largest pork processing facilities, announced this week that 59 of its workers had tested positive for COVID-19 and that it had taken several safety precautions. Jagir’s nephew, Shila Dide, says his uncle told him last month that the virus was “everywhere” at the plant.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Des Moines commission dedicated to protecting human rights is among the latest to endure racist and sexist messages from cyber attackers. The Des Moines Civil and Human Rights Commission says it was forced to cancel a video-conference meeting with the Des Moines City Council on Thursday night when the meeting was disrupted by racist, sexist and pornographic messages. Commission Chairman Kameron Middlebrooks says the messages were directed at members of the commission, proving that “hate and ignorance is alive and well.” Officials say the meeting will be rescheduled.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Public Radio said Friday that the state Board of Regents has pulled its funding amid decreased revenues as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The Des Moines Register reports the statewide radio network will lose $875,000 because of the regents’ decision. IPR executive director Myrna Johnson says that is 10% of the revenue it expected to receive for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Johnson says they are exploring fundraising options to offset the cut. IPR operates 26 stations across Iowa, reaching about 250,000 listeners.