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Iowa early News Headlines: Wednesday, July 17, 2019

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July 17th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 1:40 a.m. CDT

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A Georgia woman who used the identities of dozens of University of Iowa employees to fraudulently collect more than $450,000 in tax returns has been sentenced to federal prison. Federal prosecutors for Iowa say 39-year-old Nadine Robinson, of Atlanta, was sentenced Monday to 10 years in prison for conspiracy to commit money laundering. Prosecutors say Robinson was the owner of a check cashing business that she used to launder hundreds of money orders bought with stolen tax refunds.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A new report released by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says an April flood barrier breach in downtown Davenport was caused by pressure from the swollen Mississippi River shifting a barrier with slick plastic sheeting under it. The report, released Tuesday to Davenport city officials, says the sheeting became slick in the wet conditions, and a segment of the barrier overturned.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The director of the Iowa Department of Human Services had an obsession with the late rapper Tupac Shakur during the 2-year tenure before the governor requested his resignation last month. Emails obtained by The Associated Press show that DHS Director Jerry Foxhoven hosted weekly “Tupac Fridays” where he listened to the legendary artist’s songs in his office. He sent Tupac lyrics about love and change to inspire employees and he marked his own 65th birthday by munching on Tupac-themed cookies.

MANNING, Iowa (AP) — Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has released a broad plan to revitalize rural America through investments in agriculture, rural economies and infrastructure. Biden said Tuesday in an Iowa town of about 1,500 residents that it “doesn’t matter if you live in a skyscraper in Manhattan, or here in Manning _ your child is entitled” to all the benefits of being an American. The plan builds on policies the former vice president has already released on health care and climate change.