Iowa
Northeast Iowa Community College president sues trustees in alleged DEI disagreement
The president of Northeast Iowa Community College, currently on administrative leave while the college proceeds with termination, has filed suit against the college’s Board of Trustees, alleging violations of open meeting laws.
Herbert Riedel says in the suit that the board violated the state’s open meeting laws when it implemented proceedings that, while discussed in closed session, were never voted on in an open setting. He filed the suit in December in Winneshiek County and it was served Jan. 22.
Northeast Iowa Community College put Riedel on administrative leave in early October and has initiated termination proceedings, NICC spokesperson Tara Cooley said in an email. During that process, Riedel has the right to a private hearing where a judge will determine whether the cause for his termination was justified.
More: Iowa Board of Regents tells UI, ISU, UNI to eliminate DEI positions not required by law
Riedel said in a statement posted on social media that he will contest the college’s action against him.
“The Board is wasting a lot of taxpayer money by its politically motivated and ego-driven refusal to allow me to return to my job and provide solid leadership to advance NICC’s mission for the benefit of our students,” Riedel said in his statement.
The institution declined to comment and remains committed to its mission and students, Cooley said in the email. There is no timeline for the search for a new president, and David Dahms, NICC vice president for finance and administration, is serving as acting president.
“NICC intends to vigorously defend itself against the Petition recently filed by Dr. Herbert Riedel, and will not comment further on pending litigation,” Cooley said in her email.
President claims plan for him included ‘re-education’ on diversity, equity and inclusion
The closed meeting in question occurred in June 2023 and pertained to Riedel’s performance as college president. Riedel believes, according to the suit, that the board also discussed his contract, salary and a “performance action plan.”
Once the board convened in open session, it voted to take action on Riedel’s contract and pay but not the plan, which was still implemented, according to the suit.
According to the suit, Riedel is asking the court to void the action plan. He is seeking damages from the board members involved in the violation.
Riedel said in his statement that the action plan was politically motivated, as evidenced by an early draft which would have had him undergo a “re-education” on diversity, equity and inclusion, which he called a “highly ideological and controversial movement favored by some at the College.”
The college did not respond to questions about the details of the performance action plan or activities relating to diversity, equity and inclusion.
“When I arrived at the College, the DEI Committee had plans to institute training on gender pronouns and to survey students on private sexuality, gender, and race issues,” Riedel said in the statement. “I directed the Committee to follow Iowa’s laws, refrain from controversy, include an openness to viewpoint diversity, and foster a workplace and learning environment that is respectful of employees and students, while promoting diversity and inclusiveness.”
Find this story at Iowa Capital Dispatch, which is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kathie Obradovich for questions:kobradovich@iowacapitaldispatch.com.
One of the top Iowa high school football prospects in the state has made his college decision official.
Iowa City Regina High School senior-to-be Tate Wallace has announced he has verbally committed to the University of Minnesota in the Big Ten Conference. Wallace picked the Golden Gophers and head coach PJ Fleck over a finalists Notre Dame, Nebraska, Arizona, Arizona State and Wisconsin.
Wallace narrowed down his list of schools to six at the end of April before making his final decision.
Iowa City Regina Football Standout Tate Wallace Ranked As No. 2 Overall Prospect In Iowa High School Football
The 6-foot-2, 226-pound linebacker is considered the No. 2 overall prospect in the state of Iowa for high school football, and is the No. 21 linebacker in the Class of 2027, according to 247Sports.
In the 247Sports Composite rankings, Wallace is No. 2 in Iowa high school football, No. 29 at linebacker and No. 359 for the Class of 2027.
Along With Minnesota, Tate Wallace Currently Holds Offers From Schools Such As Arizona, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Iowa State
Wallace currently holds 16 total offers including from the previously mentioned Minnesota, Notre Dame, Nebraska, Arizona, Arizona State, Wisconsin, Iowa State, Kansas State, Purdue, Tennessee, West Virginia, Eastern Michigan, Miami (Ohio), Toledo, UNLV, North Dakota and North Dakota State.
As a junior, Wallace registered almost 50 tackles on defense, with 29 of them being counted as solo stops. He had 18 tackles for loss, 8.5 quarterback sacks and forced two fumbles, as Iowa City Regina advanced to the state championship game of the Iowa High School Athletic Association State Football Championships.
Future Minnesota Golden Gopher Has Been Key Two-Way Starter For Regals
Wallace also hauled in 40 passes for 611 yards with 10 receiving touchdowns on offense for the Regals. As a two-way player for Iowa City Regina during his sophomore season, Wallace had 27.5 tackles, including 16 solo stops, four tackles for loss and a quarterback sack, adding 51 receptions for 752 yards and eight touchdowns.
Back in March, Wallace announced seven spring visits to Notre Dame, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Arizona, Kansas State and Arizona State. He also visited Tennessee this past fall, taking in an SEC contest with the Volunteers.
Along with his success on the football field, Wallace helped lead the Regals to the Iowa High School Athletic Association Boys State Basketball Tournament this past winter. He earned High School on SI all-state honors in the process.
Follow
IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) — Volunteers broke ground Saturday for Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity’s 16th Woman Build, honoring a retired University of Iowa nursing professor.
Liz Swanson, a retired nursing professor, was chosen as this year’s honoree for her decades of impact. The Women Build program focuses on including women in every step of home construction.
While the home is built in Swanson’s honor, it will go to a fellow nurse and mother of three. The family applied through the affordable housing program.
Swanson said she’s proud to be part of a project that directly connects to her nursing legacy.
“It’s very special to have the unique opportunity to help the nurse who is working nights,” Swanson said.
Swanson said stable housing gives families the security to plan for the future.
“It means security for families. We talked briefly to the children and they said, ‘we’re gonna have our own bedroom,’” Swanson said.
Volunteers are set to begin work on the home in August. Those interested in volunteering can find more information here.
Copyright 2026 KCRG. All rights reserved.
-
Denver, CO5 minutes agoNew video shows trespasser on Denver airport runway before deadly collision
-
Seattle, WA11 minutes agoGrowing memorials honor young employee found dead at North Seattle beer garden
-
San Diego, CA17 minutes agoPadres come back, walk off with win over Cardinals to split series
-
Milwaukee, WI23 minutes agoWSJ: Billionaire Milwaukee Bucks co-owner targeted in extortion scheme – UPI.com
-
Atlanta, GA29 minutes agoThree Biggest Questions Facing the Atlanta Hawks Following the NBA Draft Lottery Results
-
Minneapolis, MN35 minutes agoAtlanta Dream survive thriller in Minneapolis, edge Lynx 91-90 to open 2026 WNBA season
-
Indianapolis, IN41 minutes agoKitchen fire forces evacuation at Indianapolis’ Sullivan’s Steakhouse
-
Pittsburg, PA47 minutes agoKennywood honors 2 employees with combined 100 years of service