$11-million park opens in Council Bluffs to fanfare & festivals
After months of renovation and construction, a massive new city park is opening today along the Missouri River in Council Bluffs. Larry Foster, the city's park and recreation director, says big crowds are expected at River's Edge Park for the start of a three-day festival called Loessfest after the region’s rolling Loess Hills, along with another series of celebratory events that will run through June 8th. "Every day, there's something new that's being done to be completely ready for the … [Read More...]
Lawmakers to review 1992 case of Dayton kidnapping suspect
Key lawmakers say the waning hours of the 2013 Iowa legislative session didn't provide enough time for a thorough review, but they will take a closer look at this week's high-profile kidnapping case. A 42-year-old Stratford man who killed himself Monday is the suspect in the kidnapping of two girls from a bus stop in Dayton. The 12-year-old escaped; the search continues for the 15-year-old. Republican Representative Chip Baltimore of Boone -- chairman of the House Judiciary Committee -- says … [Read More...]
Harkin announces Drake University is new home for his work papers (AUDIO)
Iowa Senator Tom Harkin was at Drake University today to confirm a move many people had expected. "I'm proud to announce today that it's my intention that Drake University in Des Moines will be the repository for my historical papers and materials when I leave the Senate at the end of 2014," Harkin said to an applause from a crowd gathered in Drake's Cowles Library. The Democrat had initially planned to house his documents from nearly four decades in Congress at Iowa State University, but … [Read More...]
Latham calls Senate immigration reform bill “a good start”
Republican Congressman Tom Latham says the U.S. Senate is making a "good start" on an immigration reform plan, but Latham would like to see changes in the proposal. "I'm very pleased the Senate has finally had a debate in an open forum...five days in committee and they're going to bring it to the floor and the House is going to do the same thing," Latham says. "We're not going to automatically pick up whatever the senate does." Latham says he has "real concerns" about the Senate's … [Read More...]
ISU study finds more younger Iowans are buying farmland
Iowa's high land values are having an impact who owns farmland in the state. Iowa State University agricultural economist Mike Duffy is releasing the results from the 2012 Farmland Ownership Survey and says it appears the economy has been good to Iowa's young people. Duffy says, "We're seeing an increase in the land owned by people under the age of 35 and I think this is a reflection of the boom period." Duffy says more young adults see opportunities on the farm and are returning to … [Read More...]
