Friday Morning Read: Casino Studies released, UI looks at revenue sharing, Marion extends Tower Terrace hours

Casino Studies Results -

Two independent market studies released Thursday paint different pictures of what a casino in Cedar Rapids would mean for the state.

Reports by both Marquette Advisors of Minneapolis and White Sand Gaming of Atlantic City, N.J., predict Riverside Casino & Golf Resort would lose at least 20.5 percent of its $85 million-plus annual revenue if any of the three Cedar Rapids casino proposals are built. Read a full breakdown and reaction to the studies here.

UI revenue sharing -

A new financial contribution that the University of Iowa Athletics Department made to support the wider UI mission in the 2017 and 2018 budget years presages a long-term commitment, UI President Bruce Harreld said Thursday.

The institution sees a continued revenue sharing that goes beyond the Athletics Department's past contributions to the university's bottom line that have included purchasing services like parking, police and health care.

Read what President Harreld and others said about this plan here.

Iowa Hawkeyes Football: Put out the fire -

Wind and fire work together. Probably a better word is 'conspire.' Wind and fire conspire to destroy whatever is in their path.

These elements are hard to predict. They literally swirl and dance. Football is a little like that, and the fight is similar.

When a defense runs onto the field, it could be running into any situation. There are normal circumstances, like after a kickoff or a punt. Then, there are the quick-change moments. A fumble or an interception, those happen and the mission for Iowa's defense is clear.

Continue reading Marc's story here.

Tower Terrace Hours -

The Marion City Council again voted 5-2 Thursday to extend the hours of operation in a commercial district along Tower Terrace Road.

The council first voted on the issue in August, though one more vote was required to amend the city code.

Because council member Paul Draper was not present for the previous vote, he moved to reconsider the issue. Continue reading the story here.

Snow Plow "Roadeo" -

At the annual conference of the Cedar Rapids and Iowa chapters of the American Public Workers Association on the Kirkwood Community College campus, public workers and celebrities tested their skills Thursday at maneuvering a snow plow through a course on the Kirkwood campus.

View a full photo gallery here.