PAYING OFF: Efforts by schools, the governor’s office and others to attract more Iowa students to science, technology, engineering and math studies appear to be yielding positive results. Undergraduate enrollment in STEM fields at the state’s public universities is up 37 percent over the past decade, while the number of graduates with STEM degrees is up 11 percent. More interest from female students is one of the factors.

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IMAGINE8 ADVANCES: Marion continues progress on its Imagine8, a 2009 program for which residents identified priority projects to improve the community’s quality of life. Most recently, financing already secured from private and public sources is solid enough that supporters believe work can begin in the spring on a $1.7 million amphitheater project in Lowe Park. A fundraising campaign to was launched Friday toward remaining funding needs.

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SETTLE THE SQUAWKING: After two years of bickering between supporters and opponents, the Iowa City Council on Tuesday will consider two ordinances to allow residents to keep a few chickens in the city limits. Other cities including Cedar Rapids make it work; why not Iowa City?

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