DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Supreme Court is declining to address the merits of a lawsuit brought by a criminal investigator fired after complaining about Gov. Terry Branstad’s speeding state vehicle. The court dismissed an appeal Friday filed by former Division of Criminal Investigation supervisor Larry Hedlund. Justices say his appeal of a judge’s order wasn’t filed within a 30-day deadline and therefore it wasn’t timely.

The decision says other claims in Hedlund’s lawsuit can move forward and that he can appeal the ruling at the end of the case. At issue was whether Hedlund and other state officers can sue for wrongful discharge in violation of public policy. A judge dismissed that claim, saying it’s not recognized in Iowa and that state police officers can only challenge their firings through administrative proceedings.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – The University of Iowa has established an academy so top high school sophomores can attend the university. The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports that the Iowa Board of Regents approved the academy’s name Thursday at its meeting in Ames. The Martin and Melva Bucksbaum Early Entrance Academy for Science, Technology, Arts, Engineering and Math has been made possible through a $10 million donation from Mary Bucksbaum Scanlan and Patrick Scanlan. The center is being named in memory of Mary Scanlan’s parents, Martin and Melva Bucksbaum.

The teenagers will enroll for fall 2016 as first-year students after completing the equivalent of their sophomore years in high school. The university wants to admit 12 to 20 students from across the state and nation for the first batch of academy students.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – The Catholic Diocese of Sioux City plans to consolidate parishes starting in summer 2017. The Rev. Brent Lingle directs the diocese’s office of worship, and he said Thursday the number would be reduced to 67 from 108. Lingle says the moves are necessitated by a growing shortage of priests and declining membership and church attendance.

Since 2008, only 16 of the 108 parishes have seen growth, while overall Mass attendance has dropped nearly 25 percent. Membership has fallen as the average age of churchgoers increases and family size decreases. None of the church buildings would close, but 40 no longer would have Masses celebrated there. They could continue to be the sites of weddings, funerals and the like.

The driver of a vehicle involved in a collision in Red Oak complained of pain Thursday afternoon, but was not transported to the hospital. Authorities say Red Oak Police were called to the scene of a two-vehicle, property damage accident at the intersection of Highway 34 and North 8th Street, at around 4-p.m. An investigation revealed a 2006 Chrysler Town and Country van driven by 42-year old Jennifer Sundberg, of Stanton, was traveling west on Highway 34.

25-year old Jay McDannel, of Villisca, was traveling south in a 2008 Ford Mustang and stopped at the intersection, but then continued south and in the process, failed to yield. His car hit the van on its passenger side, causing a total of $8,000 damage.

No serious injuries were reported to Officers, immediately following the accident, but Sundberg did complain of some pain. McDannel was cited by Police for Failure to Obey a Stop Sign.

A woman from Missouri was arrested Thursday evening in Montgomery County. Sheriff’s officials say 33-year old Natalie Ann Gibler, of Tarkio, MO., was arrested at around 6:30-p.m. for Interference with Official Acts, and Driving While Suspended. Gibler was being held at the Montgomery Jail on a $300 cash bond.