Wednesday Morning Read: Payless bankruptcy, major gun law changes, abortion ban debate

PAYLESS BANKRUPTCY — Payless Inc., the bargain shoe store, filed for bankruptcy to slash debt as the retail spiral persists. Payless has stores at Lindale Mall in Cedar Rapids and at Coral Ridge Mall in Coralville. Its website said it would list store closings after 10 a.m. Wednesday. Read more: https://www.thegazette.com/nation-world/shoe-chain-payless-files-for-bankruptcy/

MAJOR GUN LAW CHANGES — A bipartisan group of state senators voted Tuesday to make significant changes to expand firearm rights that proponents said would protect Iowans and their constitutional rights. Meanwhile, opponents worried the bill will escalate gun violence in a state with a strong safety tradition. Read more: https://www.thegazette.com/government-politics/major-changes-to-iowa-gun-laws-passed-by-senate/

ABORTION BAN DEBATE — Lawmakers shared stories of pregnancies — theirs and others — as they slow-walked their way toward a decision Tuesday evening on legislation that would ban nearly all abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy. Read more: https://www.thegazette.com/government-politics/iowa-house-debates-20-week-abortion-ban/

METCALF JOINS ISU WRESTLING — The scene seemed odd. Four familiar Iowa Hawkeye wrestlers, who each had turns taking down Iowa State, were decked in rival cardinal-and-gold. Fans will have to get used to it now that they are leading the charge to resurrect the Cyclone program. And Brent Metcalf was the biggest shock. Read more: https://www.thegazette.com/sports/brent-metcalf-joins-iowa-state-wrestling-staff-stocked-with-former-hawkeyes/

QUOTABLE — 'The closest place with a lot of materials on hand is in Eastern Iowa, because we spend a lot of time here. We reached out to the usual suspects and a lot of people have been willing to help. ... We have a fairly broad Rolodex of what you'd call 'good neighbors.'' Aaron Ackley, emergency response program manager with HESCO Bastion, regarding barriers once stocked to hold back Iowa floodwater now heading to the Pacific Northwest to help battle deluges in Idaho and Washington