DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The family of Iowa Supreme Court Justice Mark Cady is holding a public memorial service to celebrate his life at Drake University in Des Moines, where Cady earned undergraduate and law degrees. Cady, of Fort Dodge, died unexpectedly Friday night of a heart attack in Des Moines. He was 66. The service is being held at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the university’s Knapp Center.

Gov. Kim Reynolds credits Cady with opening the courts to the public by holding sessions on the road and establishing specialty courts focused on helping businesses, those with drug addiction or family problems and improving the judiciary system technology. The Iowa Supreme Court will create the Chief Justice Mark S. Cady Learning Center on the first floor of the Judicial Branch Building in Des Moines that will serve as a feature for public and school tours. It will show the process of a case through Iowa’s court system, highlight Iowa’s civil rights history and demonstrate the importance of fair and impartial courts.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CST

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A psychologist in charge of treating Iowa’s most dangerous sex offenders violated policies by developing an improperly close relationship with a violent predator who became obsessed with her. A termination letter obtained by The Associated Press alleges that Shannon Sanders, the treatment director at the Civil Commitment Unit for Sex Offenders in Cherokee, committed “boundary violations” with a male patient. The man’s attorney says his client was “willing to kill” for her.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s unemployment rate rose slightly in October to 2.6% but remains among the lowest in the nation. Iowa Workforce Development reported Tuesday that the rate climbed from 2.5% in September. The unemployment rate also was higher than a year ago, when the October 2018 figure was 2.4%. Iowa’s unemployment rate is tied for the fourth lowest in the nation, behind Vermont, North Dakota and Utah. The U.S. unemployment rate for October was 3.6%.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The longtime vice chairman of an insurance pool for Iowa municipalities will not seek re-election, following scrutiny of its travel and his arrest for domestic violence. Gary Mahannah said earlier this year he would seek another 4-year board term on the Iowa Communities Assurance Pool, where he’s served since its formation in the 1980s. But he recently changed his mind, telling board members his departure would be “the best path forward” for a program that insures about 800 municipalities.

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — Burlington is set to become a stop for a major river cruise line in the next few years. City officials signed a two-year agreement Monday with Viking Cruises, which is based in Basel, Switzerland. Viking has ordered the ships that will cruise the Mississippi River, but they won’t be ready until 2022. The Viking ships are set to dock at Burlington 30 times between July 2022 and October 2023.

(Radio Iowa) — Students from Denison High School in western Iowa participated in a walk out today (Tuesday) in protest of a recent incident at the school involving teacher Crystal Holt using the “n” word. More than 75 students wearing red and black gathered around the Wall of Pride monument in front of the school holding up posters and signs and chanting.

Denison High School student protest

Holt says her use of the word was not a racial slur as it was not directed at a person or an individual and the word was used to teach and help people understand the seriousness of racism in a capital punishment case. Denison High School senior, Chris Espino gave a speech during the protest as he held up a signed petition.

“We the students who have signed this petition, want a supportive educational environment for all students, educators and staff. And we stand firmly behind this belief,” Espino says. Espino called for a full evaluation from an outside organization of all issues related to diversity in the school.

“Internal investigations sweep many of the problems under the rug — allow people off the hook. We can’t let it happen this time,” Espino said. “Therefore, everyone in this petition has asked that we get a full evaluation from an outside organization of all issues relating to diversity in this school.”

Denison Superintendent Mike Pardon says they are working on the internal investigation at this time and until the investigation is finished he can not comment any further. Law enforcement along with other administration were present to monitor the protest. The protest lasted approximately 35 minutes before the students headed back to class.

The Atlantic School District’s Board of Education met Tuesday evening at the High School, for what would be the last meeting of the retiring Board, and a gathering of remaining members and those newly elected. Retiring Board members included Allison Bruckner and Dr. Keith Swanson. Both were presented with plaques for their four-years on the Board.

In his departing comments, Dr. Swanson said “What I would is, when I came on the board four-years ago, it was with an extreme purpose. And the extreme purpose was to get the finances improved.  And I think I have accomplished that. I think we have a very good Superintendent, and I think Sarah [Sheeder] does an excellent job with the finances. And I think the new Board will really appreciate those (Financial) reports. Thank you very much for allowing me to serve.”

Newly elected Board members Laura McLean and Nicholas Hunt were sworn-in, with Hunt attending the meeting via video-conference from Colorado. Afterward, the new Board approved the re-appointment of Sarah Sheeder as Board Treasurer and Secretary. Josh McLaren was elected by a vote of 3-to 2, for another term as Board President, and Kristy Pellett was elected as Vice-President.

The new School Board voted to keep the regular dates of their meetings as the second Wednesday of the month, and the 10 yearly Work sessions as the fourth Wednesday of the month. They also opted to change the start time of their meetings from 5:30-p.m. to 6-p.m.

In his report to the Board, Superintendent Steve Barber said “We are very grateful to have the opportunity to offer the Aviation Curriculum produced by AOPA (The Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association).” He said also, Mrs. Sonntag, the current instructor, plans to be trained in and teach the second year curriculum in 2020-21. The district will make an application to the organization for the opportunity to train another instructor, as well.

Superintendent Barber said also, there was a Construction meeting Monday, with regard to progress on the District’s Athletic Facilities projects. During the meeting they learned construction was “A little bit behind due to whatever reason, the weather (Etc.).” If you’ve been by the baseball and softball fields, though, you may notice that a lot has been done. The District received a report on soil compaction Tuesday evening, which Barber says means they’re getting closer to setting the footings for the baseball/softball concession stand/restroom and storage building.

The goal he says is to complete demolition and get the two concession stands up yet this fall, if the pads are poured prior the frost coming out this Spring, the concession stand can be built and set-up with electrical and plumbing.

No injuries were reported after an Iowa Interstate Railroad train struck a grain trailer pulled by a semi Tuesday afternoon, east of Anita. Deputy Bill Ayers told KJAN News the accident happened at the railroad crossing just south of White Pole Road on 770th Street, at around 12:15-pm, as a 2012 Freightliner semi driven by 38-year old Justin Miller, of rural Wiota, was northbound on 770th, pulling a 1997 Wilson grain hopper-bottom trailer loaded with about 1,000 pounds of grain.

Miller said he didn’t hear the train coming when he crossed the tracks and stopped to turn left onto Whitepole Road. As he was waiting for westbound traffic, the trailer was still partially on the tracks. The locomotive’s  engineer saw the trailer on the tracks and slammed on the brakes one-quarter of a mile away, but the train was unable to avoid the collision. The impact caused about 500 bushels of corn to be spilled onto the ground.

The trailer sustained about $25,000 damage. Ayers said his guess was the engine of the train sustained at least twice that amount. The accident remains under investigation by the Iowa Interstate Railroad. No charges have been filed through Cass County. The Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by Iowa DOT Motor Vehicle Enforcement, Cass County Secondary Roads Department, Anita Rescue and Richter and Son Towing.