Thursday Morning Read: Self-defense for Muslims, regulators to hear casino plans, fight for Medicaid care

TODAY'S WEATHER — Mostly cloudy. High 81, low 64.

SELF-DEFENSE FOR MUSLIMS — In her two years living in the United States, Rania Omer has never felt anything but safe. But she said she hears an increasing number of stories of Muslim women in other parts of the country being harassed — or worse. That's why she took her daughters, Hala, 13, and Haya, 11, to a self-defense class offered this week by Hamza Omar at Strike Martial Arts in Iowa City. Read more: https://www.thegazette.com/news/iowa-city-self-defense-class-puts-focus-on-techniques-for-muslim-women/

REGULATORS TO HEAR CASINO PLANS — Three applicants vying for a gambling license for a casino in downtown Cedar Rapids are slated to pitch their ideas to state casino regulators on Thursday. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission meets at 8:30 a.m. at the Prairie Meadows Hotel. Read more: https://www.thegazette.com/government-politics/state-regulators-to-hear-3-cedar-rapids-casino-presentations-thursday/

FIGHT FOR MEDICAID CARE — On the same day U.S. senators plan to release a revised version of their proposed health care bill, one Iowa family and physician will make their case to lawmakers — through the eyes of a little girl — for threatened Medicaid funding. Read more: https://www.thegazette.com/health-care-medicine/iowa-family-fights-for-medicaid-for-daughter/

A FRIENDLY QB FEUD — The Hawkeyes currently are in a situation where Nathan Stanley and Tyler Wiegers are vying for the starting role at quarterback, and based on spring, there's not a clear front-runner. Their teammates are saying the right things — that they both have strengths and things to work on, and that they don't have a preference. Read more: https://www.thegazette.com/sports/iowa-players-dont-see-anticipate-locker-room-divide-amid-qb-race/

QUOTABLE — 'When kids come to camp they discover that they are, in fact, not alone and that there are plenty of people living with Type 1 diabetes. Here, they can just be a kid, whereas maybe in their daily lives they are the only kid with Type 1 diabetes in their school or in their family. There is a lingo and commonality we all share.' Crystal Bowersox, former 'American Idol' contestant, while visiting a camp for diabetic kids at Camp Tanager in Mount Vernon Wednedsay