Friday morning read: Tuition increases, end of a 'historic' legislative session, possible PCI expansion and more

REGENTS LOOKING AT 5 PERCENT TUITION INCREASE: In the wake of state budget cuts that have taken $30 million from the regents, outgoing Board of Regents president Bruce Rastetter said the universities are considering adding another 3 percent increase to the already approved 2 percent tuition increases. The Board meeting, in Council Bluffs, is also the last for notable higher ed officials, including Rastetter, who is ending his six-year term, and ISU President Steven Leath, who is departing to become president of Auburn University. Read more.

LAWMAKERS PUSH TO END OF A 'HISTORIC' SEASON: Lawmakers were hopeful that Friday would be the final day of the 2017 legislative session. The GOP-run General Assembly passed changes in policies dealing with the rights of workers, women, gun owners and drivers. Gov. Terry Branstad, who is likely wrapping up his final session as America's longest-serving Governor, called it "one of the most significant and productive sessions that I've had the honor of presiding over." Read more.

PCI 'EXPLORING' NEW 100,000-SQUARE-FOOT FACILITY: Physicians' Clinic of Iowa, which currently operates a 221,000-square-foot facility in Cedar Rapids' MedQuarter District, announced plans for a second facility that would also include a 500-space parking garage. The building would provide room for PCI to expand and have a "wellness" theme, officials said. Read more.

TECH COMPANIES HONORED: The New Bohemian Innovation Collaborative, or NewBoCo, was presented with the LWBJ Impact Award for Investing in Iowa's Future at the Technology Association of Iowa's Prometheus Awards Thursday night. Other Corridor winners include TelePharm, Higher Learning Technologies and SwineTech. Read more.

QUOTABLE: 'This was a historic session that we are going to see benefits and paybacks from for a generation,' said Sen. Jason Schultz, R-Schleswig, who played an instrumental role in a major rewrite of Iowa's collective bargaining law governing public employees.