DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has been dropped from a lawsuit that could cost the state millions of dollars in a case alleging former Gov. Terry Branstad and others singled out a former state official for a pay cut because of his political party or sexual orientation.

The lawsuit filed by former Workers’ Compensation Commissioner Chris Godfrey in 2012 is set for a June 3 trial in Des Moines. The lawsuit names Branstad, members of his 2010-2011 staff and former Iowa Workforce Development Director Teresa Wahlert.

Godfrey, who is gay and a Democrat, says he was discriminated and retaliated against, and his constitutional rights to due process and equal protection were violated in 2011 when Branstad slashed Godfrey’s pay after he wouldn’t resign.

Documents filed Wednesday by Godfrey’s attorney, Roxanne Conlin, indicate the state could be on the hook for millions of dollars in damages and attorney fees but the final amount will be up to jurors to decide. Conlin says Reynolds had little to do with the issues of the case, and dismissing her was a strategic decision.

Red Oak Police report a 17-year old male was arrested at around 3-p.m. Wednesday, for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana. The teen, who was arrested in the 2000 block of N. 4th Street, was subsequently released to his mother from the Montgomery County Jail.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Another one of the dozens of levee repair contracts expected along the Missouri River has been awarded to an Iowa company. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says the $8.5 million contract to repair a levee in Mills County, Iowa, has been awarded to Newt Marine Service of Dubuque, Iowa.

The initial repairs to the breach in the levee northwest of Bartlett, Iowa, should be completed over the next 30 to 80 days. This contract is one of the first handful of repair projects approved. The Corps is reviewing damage as floodwaters subside and making plans to repair 50 breaches that occurred during the March flooding.

HAMBURG, Iowa (AP) — The southwest Iowa town of Hamburg is facing a long list of challenges as it works to recover from this spring’s flooding, and the lack of federal disaster aid is making everything harder.

Mayor Cathy Crain says Hamburg had to take out a $2 million emergency loan to help pay expenses while it works to fix its water treatment plant and waits for Congress to approve an aid package.

Before the flooding in March, Hamburg owed only $56,000 and had $560,000 in savings, but almost all of that has been spent. Crain says Hamburg has begun asking for donations online to help the town recover.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A lawsuit challenging a new Iowa law that prohibits federal funding to be used by Planned Parenthood to teach sex education has been filed against Gov. Kim Reynolds and the state.

On the last day of the legislative session, Republican legislators pushed through language in a budget bill that banned Planned Parenthood of the Heartland from receiving money from two federal grants that have been paying for youth sex education programs.

It was the latest effort by conservative lawmakers to end all streams of government funding for the organization, which as part of its family planning efforts also performs abortions. They said other organizations could provide the information.

Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the measure into law May 3. The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa filed the lawsuit Wednesday in state court in Des Moines for Planned Parenthood. It seeks to block the law temporarily until a court can consider whether it’s constitutional.

The lawsuit argues the law violates the organization’s free speech, due process and equal protection rights. Reynolds spokesman Pat Garrett says, “Governor Reynolds is 100% pro-life and believes taxpayer dollars shouldn’t fund an organization that provides abortion.”

For the past six-years, the Atlantic Rotary has presented their Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award to one person each year. This year was different. Last year’s winner Gini Jordan announced today (Wednesday) that the winners this year were Justin Williams, CCEOC 9-12 Teacher, and CCEOC/Special Education Teacher Karen Vogl.

Atlantic Rotary 2019 Teachers of the Year/Atlantic Community School District (Justin Williams & Karen Vogl)

Vogl said she was “Extremely happy, appreciative and pleased” to receive the award. She credited her success to her team, which includes Justin Williams. Williams also recognized the team, and said he was humble to receive the award.

Rotary Teacher of the Year Chair Becky Schroeder said there were an outstanding pool of nominees this year. The winners she said will receive a check for $5,000 to be used however the teacher sees fit. Both also received a plaque.

Other awards were presented for years of service and to those who are retiring. The retirees honored include:

• Christi Garrett and Deb Nelson, from Washington Elementary.
• Melia Clark, from Schuler Elementary.
• Sheryl Dusenberry, Atlantic Middle School.
• Craig Fredin, Maryle Hopper-Henningsen, Pat Wiederin and Michele Lane, from the Atlantic High School.
• Maintenance retiree, Arnie Lamp.
• Transportation retirees Dave Eckles, Sam Hoover and Jan Imhoff.

Other staff received certificates for serving anywhere from 5-to 35-years with the district.