Friday Morning Read: Gender pay gap in Iowa, AmeriHealth lay offs, Iowa vs Ohio State preview

AmeriHealth Departure - The departure of AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa — one of the three private insurers managing the state's Medicaid program — means the company will lay off 400 people statewide by the end of 2017, according to an Iowa Workforce Development log of announced layoffs.

'We are committed to supporting our colleagues during this transition. All of us are extremely proud of our Iowa colleagues and all they do to make Iowa a healthier state,' the insurer said in a statement Thursday. 'There are a variety of services that will be available, including salary and benefits continuation and outplacement services." Read about what these lay offs mean for Iowans and for health care here.

Mayoral Fundraising - It doesn't count on Election Day, but thus far Brad Hart is the clear winner in the fundraising component of the competitive race for Cedar Rapids' next mayor.

Hart, a business attorney with Bradley & Riley, received 212 donations, raised $91,355 and spent $86,807, according to his disclosure of spending and fundraising. These were by far the highest dollar amounts among the 19 candidates running for Cedar Rapids City Council, Read about a full break down of who raised what during the campaign for Cedar Rapids' Mayor here.

Gender Pay Gap - Female administrators at Iowa's public universities made 66 percent of what their male counterparts were paid last year — an even larger chasm than Iowa's overall gender pay gap of 77 cents on the dollar.

A Gazette review of the fiscal 2017 salaries of the 177 deans, vice presidents and presidents at the University of Iowa, Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa show women's median total pay for fiscal 2017 was $149,500, compared to $226,500 for men. Read about the full analysis of pay in Iowa here.

Iowa vs Ohio State preview - The Hawkeyes (5-3, 2-3 Big Ten) aren't mathematically dead in the Big Ten West Division (this isn't the 'no duh' part). For them to stay alive, they have to beat No. 6 Ohio State (7-1, 5-0) Saturday at Kinnick Stadium (2:30 p.m. kickoff on ESPN). And ...

Wisconsin (8-0, 5-0) has to lose at Indiana (3-5, 0-5). A loss would put Iowa four games behind the Badgers with three weeks left in the season.

OK, get it out of your system. Tell us something we didn't know. This team? Division championship? No duh, yes, yes, total long shot, totally improbable.

This part is whatever you want it to be. If you want hope, there it is. Read the full breakdown of the Iowa vs Ohio State game here.