DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Historians are gathering in Des Moines this weekend to talk about the Underground Railroad and the Iowa Freedom Trail, which passed through southwest Iowa, and included a safe haven at Hitchcock House near Lewis.

John Brown Freedom Trail in 1859 (Map from the State Historical Society of Iowa at www.iowahistory.org)

This year’s Iowa Statewide Underground Railroad Gathering will take place today (Saturday) at the State Historical Building in Des Moines. The event is free. Historians are expected to discuss topics including the Underground Railroad sites and museums in Iowa, as well as some historical legal issues behind the trail. The state Department of Cultural Affairs and others are sponsoring the event.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Senate wants all school employees to undergo training to recognize when a student is suffering from trauma or contemplating suicide. The bill, prompted by the recent suicides of two students in Johnston, unanimously passed Wednesday. The measure now moves to the House. Statistics show there are about 30 teenage suicides in Iowa each year.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A retiring Iowa City police officer plans to buy a veteran, retiring K-9 owned by the city. Officer Kevin Berg has requested to buy Naton the dog for $10. The Iowa City Council will vote on the agreement during a meeting Tuesday. Berg, who has been with the department for nearly 30 years, has been Naton’s handler for eight years.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A former Des Moines police officer has been given probation for using excessive force on a man during a 2008 traffic stop. John Mailander was sentenced earlier this week to four months of home confinement and three years of probation. He had previously pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice.

CHICAGO (AP) — Adreian Payne had 18 points and 10 rebounds, leading 8th ranked Michigan State to a rugged 59-56 victory over Iowa in the Big Ten quarterfinals last night. Iowa came close to an upset victory in Chicago that could have cemented a spot in the field for next week’s NCAA tournament. Instead, the Hawkeyes will have to sweat out a nervous Selection Sunday.