Tuesday Morning Read: Utilities add to Iowa’s wind power portfolio; Soules to claim diminished responsibility; two downtown businesses to close as Skogman plans new office

TODAY'S WEATHER — Partly cloudy, continued mild. High 47, low 24.

UTILITIES ADD TO IOWA'S WIND POWER PORTFOLIO — Plans for Alliant Energy's latest wind project would add another 170-megawatt wind farm to the state's growing population of turbines. On the back of Alliant's 2016 pledge to spend $1 billion on 500 megawatts of wind power, the Poweshiek County project is expected to receive final approval this week and be completed in 2020. Read more: https://www.thegazette.com/business/iowa-utilities-adding-to-states-wind-power-portfolio/

SOULES TO CLAIM DIMINISHED CAPACITY — Former reality TV star Chris Soules will claim diminished capacity based on an existing medical condition as a result of injuries sustained, and mistake of law/or fact, according to a court document filed last Friday. Read more: https://www.thegazette.com/news/chris-soules-to-claim-diminished-capacity-due-to-medical-condition-from-injuries-in-fatal-crash/

TWO DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES TO CLOSE AS SKOGMAN PLANS NEW OFFICE — Two downtown businesses will close as a Cedar Rapids realty company plans to build a new office. The owners of Albert Auto Service and Sub City in the 400 block of First Avenue SE both told The Gazette the downtown locations will close after Skogman Realty bought out the remainder of their leases. Read more: https://www.thegazette.com/news/two-downtown-cedar-rapids-businesses-to-close-as-skogman-plans-new-office/

WILD RIDE FOR BRIAN FERENTZ IN FIRST YEAR AS OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR — On Nov. 4, Iowa beat Ohio State by 31 points and ultimately knocked the Buckeyes out of the College Football Playoff. The next week at Wisconsin, the Hawkeyes gained 66 total yards. It was fun calling plays for one of those games, because, you know, everything worked. In the other game, it was more of a chore because nothing worked. Read more: https://www.thegazette.com/sports/iowa-banks-on-experience-to-keep-from-nothing-working/

QUOTABLE — 'There can be no religious freedom without the freedom to dissent. Keep religion and government separate.' A note displayed with the Freedom From Religion Foundation's Bill of Rights display at the Iowa Capitol, depicting Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and the Statue of Liberty honoring the document placed in a manger. Read more: https://www.thegazette.com/government-politics/iowa-capitol-home-to-point-counter-point-holiday-displays/