EAST MOLINE, Ill. (AP) — Deere and Company says it will lay off about 120 workers at its combine plant in East Moline, Illinois on March 31st. According to the Quad City Times in Davenport, Iowa, employees learned the news yesterday during a meeting at the plant. About 2,800 people work at the factory. Deere said the layoffs will be based on seniority.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A student group at Drake University has expressed concern over the menu at a campus dinner intended to celebrate Black History Month. Tess Montgomery, president of the Coalition of Black Students, tells the Des Moines Register that some African-American students felt embarrassed and patronized by a Wednesday night dinner menu that included fried chicken and collard greens. Montgomery says the menu perpetuated offensive stereotypes. Sodexo has apologized, and is planning a second dinner with the student group.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Activists are working with officials in Johnson County in hopes of approving a ban on plastic bags used by retailers. The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports county officials have been looking at ways to reduce plastic bag use for several months.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a 63-year-old central Iowa man was arrested after a loaded gun was found in his bag at the Des Moines airport. The Des Moines Register says a Transportation Security Administration officer spotted the gun Tuesday morning as the bag was going through a security screening.