Gomers

VEISHEA'S HISTORY: After four months of deliberation, Iowa State University President Steven Leath pulled the plug once and for all on the school's Veishea celebration. The 92-year-old campus tradition was marred yet again this past spring by a destructive alcohol-fueled campus town disturbance that seriously injured one student. We regret, but understand, Leath's call.

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DISEASE RATES: Data compiled by Linn County Public Health shows higher rates of sexually transmitted diseases in the county than the state overall. Collecting the data is an important step. Next comes an effort to bring those rates down.

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LOW NUMBER: Police departments in Marion, Cedar Rapids and Hiawatha count only four women among their investigative ranks. We'd like to see that number grow as part of an overall effort to make local police forces look more like the communities they serve.

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