Gazette Daily News Podcast: March 30 and 31, 2024

– Republican states file lawsuit challenging Biden’s student loan repayment plan

– Manchester examining options after $4.25M verdict

– Adults get in on Eastern Iowa Easter fun

Episode Transcript

Coming up, Iowa and 10 other states are suing the Biden administration to block a new student loan repayment plan

And later, the city of Manchester is looking at its options after a $4.25M verdict

Plus, things to do this weekend in Eastern Iowa

Welcome to the weekend edition of the Gazette Daily News Podcast. This podcast gives quick bites from the latest headlines coming out of The Gazette newsroom. I’m Bailey Cichon.

First, Iowa is a part of an 11-state group that is suing the Biden administration over its new student loan repayment plan. The federal lawsuit was filed Thursday and is led by Kansas. The group argues that Biden overstepped his authority when creating the SAVE Plan, which provides a faster route to cancellation and lower monthly payments for millions of student loan borrowers. The SAVE Plan was made available to borrowers last year. As a result, more than 150,000 people’s loans have been canceled.

The lawsuit asks a judge to halt the SAVE Plan immediately. The group argued in the lawsuit, quote, “Last time Defendants tried this the Supreme Court said that this action was illegal. Nothing since then has changed,”

The Education Department said that in 1993, Congress gave the department the authority to define the terms of income-driven repayment plans. The Education Department declined to comment on the lawsuit.

The lawsuit was filed the same week the White House hosted a quote “day of action” end quote to promote the SAVE Plan. The Biden administration said that over 7.7 million borrowers have enrolled in the plan. This includes over 5 million borrowers who have had their monthly payments reduced to $100 or less because of their annual income. The plan is a modified version of income-based repayment plans the Education Department has offered since the ‘90s. Biden’s plan offers generous terms, like reducing monthly payments for more borrowers and canceling loans in as little as 10 years. It prevents interest from snowballing as long as borrowers make their monthly payments, which is unlike other plans.

Biden said the plan is meant quote “to give more borrowers breathing room so they can get out from under the burden of student loan debt” end quote.

Kansas and Iowa are joined in the lawsuit by Alabama, Alaska, Idaho, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, South Carolina, Texas and Utah.

Next, the city of Manchester is looking at its legal options after a jury ordered the city to pay $4.25 million to the family of a man killed in a crash with a police officer in 2020. Now-retired Manchester Police Department lieutenant James Wessells was involved in a high-speed crash on Dec. 10, 2020 with Augustin “Gus” Mormann. Mormann was riding a motorcycle. According to the lawsuit and police reports, other officers ended the pursuit for safety reasons, but Wessells continued. He then struck Mormann’s motorcycle. The lawsuit alleged that Wessells caused the crash and quote “intentionally killed Mormann” end quote.

A Delaware County jury found that Wessells had committed assault and battery. The jury found the officer’s actions weren’t justified when he chose to pursue Mormann’s motorcycle. The jury also ordered Wessells to pay $10,000 in punitive damages to Mormann’s parents, Dan and Sandy Mormann of Colesburg. On Friday, Manchester Mayor Connie Behnken said quote, “We respect the jury’s verdict. However, we are looking at our options and it may be pending further litigation.” end quote.

Next, are you looking for some Easter fun this weekend? Here are some things to do in Eastern Iowa.

Noelridge Greenhouse is holding its annual Easter Showcase Saturday and Sunday. View fairy gardens by Friends of Noelridge, a display by Master Gardeners, orchids by Eastern Iowa Orchid Society, and much, much more. Admission is free and the first 500 kids age 12 and under will receive a free plant.

Bloomsbury Farm is holding a Bunny Bash this weekend and on April 6. Visitors can hold baby bunnies and chicks, meet the Bloomsbury Bunny and explore farm attractions. Admission is $15.95 in advance for ages 3 and up or $19.95 at the gate. Children age 2 and under get in for free. To participate in the Easter Egg Hunt, add $3 to admission costs.

Also, Big Grove Brewery locations in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids will be holding a free Easter Egg Hunt for kids and adults on Sunday morning. Participating adults will get tokens for free beers. Brunch menus will also be available. Find a list of hunt start times at the link in this episode’s description.

Now, let’s take a look at the weather in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Saturday will be partly cloudy. Expect a high of 56 degrees and a low of 41 degrees. Sunday will be cloudy with a high of 51 degrees. Temperatures will cool to a low of 39 degrees. Finally, Monday it will rain. Expect a high of 50 degrees and a low of 36 degrees.

Thank you for listening to the Gazette Daily News Podcast. Stay up to date with the latest news from Eastern Iowa at the gazette dot com. I’m Bailey Cichon.

Comments: bailey.cichon@thegazette.com