University of Iowa Denies Liberal Bias in Law School Hiring Decision: Iowa City Daily News Links, Oct. 1

30 days until Halloween, do you have your costume picked out yet?

On to the Links!

The University of Iowa has denied liberal bias in its hiring decision toward an Iowa law school applicant. The trial on the matter will begin soon. (Associated Press)

Want to take a peek at the new Riverfront Crossings plans? The Iowa City planning department is holding an open house on the subject tonight. (The Gazette)

Almost half of Iowans would vote to retain the supreme court justice under fire from social conservatives for his previous involvement with the gay marriage ruling. (Press-Citizen)

Adam Sullivan of the Iowa City Press-Citizen writes that a local man is pushing the legislature to require helmets for motorcyclists.

President Obama has a four percent lead over Mitt Romney in Iowa, but there still is a road for Romney to victory in the state, writes USA Today. KCRG spoke with a political expert who agrees with this analysis.

Who is going to win the Big Ten this year? Scott Dochterman of the Gazette attempts to sort out the chaos. 

The University of Iowa is going to look at doing something about the apartments damaged by the 2008 flood.

Daily Links Excerpt of the Day

Iowa City resident Bill Olin, a retired University of Iowa dental expert, has started organizing a group to coax policymakers to pass a law requiring riders to wear helmets. Olin’s interest in motorcycle helmets stems from his background in the medical field.

“I saw, man, many accident victims. ... It was usually an 18- or 20-year-old kid, usually with his mom and she’s got to help the big strapping kid walk because he doesn’t know which way is up. We have to take care of him the rest of his life,” said Olin, who added that his son survived a motorcycle accident several years ago because he was wearing a helmet.

Iowa is one of a few states with no helmet requirements for motorcycle riders. Olin started approaching lawmakers about the idea in the early 2000s, but he doubled down on his efforts last year when West High student Caroline Found died in a moped crash while riding without a helmet.