Wednesday Morning Read: Unleash opportunities, Reynolds urges Capitol; next key flood wall set for Quaker Oats; universities facing another $5.1 million cut

TODAY'S WEATHER — Cloudy, patchy drizzle. High 43, low 40.

UNLEASH OPPORTUNITIES, REYNOLDS URGES CAPITOL — Delivering her first Condition of the State speech Tuesday, Gov. Kim Reynolds was upbeat as she declared the condition of Iowa strong 'because our ability to dream is infinite and the will of our people is great.' Read more: https://www.thegazette.com/government-politics/iowa-gov-reynolds-focuses-speech-on-solving-problems/

NEXT KEY FLOOD WALL SET FOR QUAKER OATS — The next major piece of flood protection in Cedar Rapids — a 2,150-foot wall up to 18 feet tall in places — was approved Tuesday by the City Council for the Quaker Oats site on the edge of downtown. Read more: https://www.thegazette.com/government-politics/17-million-flood-wall-planned-around-quaker-oats/

UNIVERSITIES FACING ANOTHER $5.1 MILLION CUT — After taking back $20.8 million in state appropriations from the Board of Regents in the 2017 budget year and then nearly $10 million for the 2018 budget year that started July 1, Gov. Kim Reynolds on Tuesday recommended slashing the regents' current budget again by another $5.13 million. Read more: https://www.thegazette.com/higher-education/iowas-public-universities-facing-another-5-1-million-cut/

KANSAS OUTLASTS IOWA STATE — Sophomore guard Malik Newman scored a season-high 27 points and added eight rebounds Tuesday night as No. 12 Kansas outlasted Iowa State, 83-78, at Allen Fieldhouse. Read more: https://www.thegazette.com/basketball/iowa-state-comes-up-short-at-no-12-kansas/

QUOTABLE — 'You cannot legislate kindness or respect or morality. The solution starts with every individual, man or woman, including elected officials who should serve as role models.' Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, in her Condition of the State address, as the Iowa Legislature approved the hiring of a new human resources director. Read more: https://www.thegazette.com/nation-world/iowa-legislature-hires-human-resources-director-after-1-75-million-sexual-harassment-payout/