DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The backyard of Iowa’s historic governor’s mansion is about to get a major facelift, with a new reflecting pool and vintage style greenhouse. Jeff Boeyink, a former chief of staff to Gov. Terry Branstad who heads up a fundraising effort for Terrace Hill, says both projects will be privately funded. He says the goal is to complete them by next summer, when Des Moines will host a meeting of the National Governor’s Association,

The project will convert a 1920s swimming pool that was filled in with sand and topsoil more than ten years ago into a decorative shallow reflecting pool. These improvements come after several years of work on the historic home. A new kitchen, updated restrooms and an energy-efficient heating and cooling system are among the recent updates.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Students at Iowa’s three public universities could see an unprecedented mid-year tuition hike, if the Iowa Board of Regents approves an increase for the upcoming spring semester. Late last year, the Iowa Board of Regents approved a freeze on tuition rates for the third consecutive year. But a regents spokesman tells Cedar Rapids television station KCRG a state funding shortfall could lead to the mid-year increase.

FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) — A man on trial for first-degree murder in the 2013 stabbing death of his ex-girlfriend told a jury he was acting in self-defense. The Mason City Globe Gazette reports that 41-year-old Tyrone Washington Junior took the stand Friday and said Justina Smith pulled a knife on him on August 5th, 2013, in a park in Northwood.

CRYSTAL LAKE, Iowa (AP) — Biologists say a large algae bloom in north-central Iowa’s Crystal Lake has killed thousands of fish, which have washed up on the lake’s shores and created a putrid mess. The Mason City Globe Gazette reports that the fish were killed earlier this week.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A lot north of downtown Des Moines that’s been vacant for years is expected to be the site of a new housing development. Des Moines television station KCCI reports that a $5 million project is planned for the lot at 6th Street and Forest Avenue. The designs for the three-story apartment building show layouts for 30-units of one- and two-bedroom housing.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Students at Iowa’s three public universities could see an unprecedented mid-year tuition hike, if the Iowa Board of Regents approves an increase for the upcoming spring semester. Late last year, the Iowa Board of Regents approved a freeze on tuition rates for the third consecutive year. But a regents spokesman says a state funding shortfall could lead to the mid-year increase.

Spokesman Josh Lehman tells Cedar Rapids television station KCRG that the board agreed to the tuition freeze this year with the understanding that their request for a 1.75 percent increase in state funding would be approved. But only a 1.25 percent increase was appropriated.

The regents are set to discuss raising tuition for the spring semester of the 2015-16 school year during an August meeting.