CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) — The University of Northern Iowa president says he’s forming a committee to address minority and other students’ allegations of systemic racism on the Cedar Falls campus. President Mark Nook took responsibility in a recent letter to the university community for the university’s failure to adequately fulfill goals set by an ad hoc student group and backed by the student government.

The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that Nook’s action follows a social media campaign of criticism by the student group, Racial and Ethnic Coalition. Among other things, the group posted video testimonials from minority students talking about problems they’ve had on campus, including dealing with a racist professor and trying to navigate university diversity policies.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports a man being held in the Pott. County Jail on OWI and Parole Violation offenses, was served Wednesday morning, with two arrest warrants for six-counts of Sexual Abuse by Force in the 3rd Degree/1st offense. 39-year old Richard John Siemer, of Council Bluffs, was read the charges against him and then returned to his cell.

Atlantic City Councilman Chris Jimerson informed the City Council during their meeting Wednesday evening, that Fire Chief Mark McNees would be stepping down from his lead position with the AFD. McNees, who has served the City as a fireman for 29 ½ years, and the past 13-years as Chief, explained why he’s decided to switch gears and return to being a firefighter.

He says there are other things he needs to take care of in life and to work on that he has neglected because of his current duties. He began to think about stepping down a couple of years go.

Under the by-laws, an Atlantic Fire Chief is elected every two-years. The department will vote on the new Chief at their first meeting in December, and pending City Council approval, the new Chief will take over their duties on January 1, 2020.

His advice to his successor:

During his tenure as Chief, McNees also served on the Iowa Fire Fighters Association and was elected as the President during his time with the Association.

Atlantic Fire Chief Mark McNees (File photo)

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — General Mills and union officials say they’ll meet today (Thursday), to work on a contract that would avert a strike following the union’s rejection of the company’s latest offer for the Cedar Rapids plant. Officials say 99% of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union’s Local 110 workers who voted Wednesday said no.

The two sides have been negotiating since January, when workers voted for the union representation. The workers voted Oct. 3 to authorize a strike. The union represents 520 workers, who perform production, sanitation and maintenance work.

Union Vice President Roger Grobstich says workers object among other things to General Mills’ proposed scheduling changes and raise proposals.

INDEPENDENCE, Iowa (AP) — A 68-year-old man with felony convictions who voted last November has pleaded guilty to election misconduct in eastern Iowa. Buchanan County prosecutors say William Gibson, of Hazleton, pleaded guilty Tuesday to two counts of election misconduct and a drug possession charge. His sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 17.

The prosecutors say Gibson lied on his voter registration application when he attested that he’d never been convicted of a felony. And prosecutors say Gibson cast a provisional ballot in the November election. Poll workers suspected he was a convicted felon. Prosecutors say Gibson was on probation for a felony drug offense at the time and has had at least seven felony convictions.

Iowa bars felons from voting unless the governor or president individually restores the right. Legislative efforts to change those laws have been stymied.