Snow fell over most of the state yesterday, causing travel problems in some areas. National Weather Service meteorologist Marc Russell says cold air settled over the state on Saturday. Russell says a low pressure moved out of the southern plains and parked over Missouri, so the combination of cold air and a low pressure cell prompted the heavy snowfall. Not all of the state, though, was affected. Russell says just a few flurries and cloudy weather is all that blanketed the northern tiers of counties. Other areas, though, got a lot of white stuff.Russell says it appears up to 10 inches fell around Ottumwa.
Some Democrats still undecided as caucuses approach
January 5, 2004 By
With two weeks ’til Iowa’s Caucuses help pick a presidential candidate, many Democrats remain undecided. Radio Iowa’s O.Kay Henderson went to Boone this weekend to talk with some uncommitted voters.Francis Morrow of Boone wants to choose somebody who can beat George Bush, and she’s still “shopping around” for a candidate. Morrow says she just “hasn’t found the right one yet,” and plans to see as many candidates in person as she can. Morrow was in the audience Saturday night when Massachusetts Senator John Kerry stopped in Boone. Gary Polking of Boone is among the undecided, too, and he was in the audience to judge whether Kerry had what it took.Afterwards, Polking wasn’t ready to committ, but was impressed by Kerry’s “open manner” and the way he handled questions from the crowd. Barbara Jensen of Boone went from Kerry’s event to an event in Boone featuring Howard Dean, hoping to hear answers to issues she’s concerned about. Jensen says she’s “open minded” and is just hoping one will “strike a chord” with her.Jensen says she has yet to find a candidate who can satisfy what she thinks a president should “encompass.” Vernon Mormon of Boone is another undecided voter who was evaluating Kerry and Dean in person on Saturday. Mormon says time crept up on him, and he decided he’s “better get on the stick” and start looking more in depth at the candidates. Jane Fideler of Slater is a school teacher who says “electability” is her main criteria. She says she needs to look a little deeper into the issues and Dean’s plans.She says she’ll know it not when she sees it, but when she “feels it.” Fideler says “now I just need to find my candidate.”
Musician campaigns for Kerry
January 5, 2004 By
Peter Yarrow — part of the musical group “Peter, Paul and Mary” — campaigned in Iowa this weekend on behalf of Massachusetts Senator John Kerry. Yarrow’s wrote a song for Kerry, a present for Kerry’s recent 60th birthday, and he performed it. He says he’s an organizer and believes that music and unite us and unite our hearts. He says he believes Kerry’s campaign can unite us all. Yarrow sang “America My Own” during the event. Yarrow and Kerry have been friends since 1971 and he is the godfather of one of Kerry’s children. Peter, Paul and Mary’s biggest hit: “Puff, the Magic Dragon.” He closed the Kerry event by singing another hit, “If I Had a Hammer.”
Creighton economist predicts interest rate increase
January 5, 2004 By
Creighton University economist Ernie Goss makes a prediction for 2004: the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates for the first time in months. The “Prices paid index,” a gauge of inflation, is showing an upturn because inflation is increasing at both wholesale and commodity level, pushing up prices, and also oil and natural gas prices are headed upward. The Federal Reserve has cut interest rates 13 times since January 2001, and has not raised them in more than three and-a-half years, since May of 2000. Goss says the “fed” is likely to begin cooling inflationary trends by the second quarter using its power to raise interest rates. He says there’s little doubt interest hikes are on the way, as currently they’re at 40-year lows and one-percent interest rates are lower than normal even for a rebounding economy — he sees a more reasonable rate as three percent. Goss says the fed will likely raise lending rates by a quarter or half a point, so the increase is gradual and doesn’t have a negative effect on the improving economy.
