DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A judge says jurors will decide whether former Gov. Terry Branstad singled out a former state official for a pay cut because of his political party or sexual orientation.
Judge Brad McCall on Thursday rejected the state’s request to dismiss a long-running lawsuit filed by former Workers’ Compensation Commissioner Chris Godfrey. McCall’s ruling sets up a trial in Polk County, which is scheduled for June 3.

Branstad slashed Godfrey’s pay by 35 percent after the commissioner refused the governor’s request to resign in 2011. Godfrey had been confirmed to a six-year term by the Iowa Senate.

Branstad says he wanted to appoint a more “pro-business” commissioner than Godfrey, who had been appointed and reappointed by prior Democratic governors. Godfrey argues that the pay cut and other retaliation was improperly motivated by his status as an openly gay man and Democrat. McCall says the “jury’s determination as to the true motives involved will determine the outcome in this case.”

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a man lost part of an arm in an accident at a Des Moines tire recycling facility. The accident occurred Thursday morning at Liberty Tire Recycling. Des Moines Fire Lt. Chris Clement the man suffered a partial amputation from the elbow down after being caught in a machine. His name hasn’t been released.

The Des Moines Register reports that Iowa’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined the facility $27,500 after a 2016 accident. The fine was reduced later to $12,250 and two of the six serious violations alleged were dropped. The Des Moines operation is one of 24 production facilities for Pittsburgh-based Liberty Tire.

Company spokesman Don Meyer said Friday that Liberty Tire is “deeply saddened at the injury” suffered by the employee. He says company officials are working with local authorities “to help ensure the effectiveness of our safety standards and practices.”