Community Corner

University of Iowa President Sally Mason Wants to Continue Tuition Freeze: Iowa City Daily News Links, Feb. 12

A quick round up of local news.

I feel spring coming soon!

On to the Links!

University of Iowa President Sally Mason says she wants to continue a tuition freeze at the University of Iowa as long as she remains president. (Press-Citizen)

Find out what's happening in Iowa Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Newport Road residents, including the famous Ferentzes, are again standing in opposition to potential development along their roadway. (Iowa City Press-Citizen)

A woman suing the University of Iowa Law School claiming she was not given a position due to being a Republican was arrested for drunken driving. (Press-Citizen)

Find out what's happening in Iowa Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Homewood Suites has finally opened in Coralville. (Press-Citizen)

Rail upgrade advocates continue to fight for federal funding that they say would help Iowa's economy and freight train infrastructure. (Des Moines Register)

Gun control advocates are pushing Iowa Republicans to consider President Obama's gun control proposals. (Des Moines Register)

Meanwhile Iowa Senate Democrats fight to add more people to Medicaid. (Des Moines Register)

A Minnesota filmmaker was convicted of felony fraud charges for inflating the cost of her movies to qualify for Iowa's formerly availabe film tax credit dollars. (Des Moines Register)

Congrats to Iowa City Press-Citizen on their newspaper awards!

The departing North Liberty Police Chief could collect $38,000 in severance pay. (Press-Citizen)

Daily Links Excerpt of the Day:

Jeff Kurtz, Iowa legislative representative for the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, said the establishment of passenger rail service on the Iowa Interstate Railroad will provide improved crossing signals at dozens of sites, which is good for everyone’s safety. The money will also be used to upgrade railroad bridges and to add track crossovers, which he compared to “passing lanes” for railroads.

“It is undeniable that the strong majority of trains that will benefit from these railroad enhancements will be freight trains,” Kurtz said. “These trains will be bringing raw materials and products to Iowa companies and consumers. They will be taking Iowa raw materials and products to the rest of the world’s companies and consumers.”

Gov. Terry Branstad was asked Monday at his weekly news conference whether he supported the expansion of the state’s passenger rail system. He replied he is still awaiting the findings of studies by the Iowa Department of Transportation. Iowa officials want to cooperate with Illinois officials on the issue, the governor said, but he wants to protect Iowa taxpayers from the burden of ongoing state subsidies to operate passenger trains.


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