February 9, 2012

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Contentious commission meeting examining budget cuts

September 9, 2009 By

The first meeting of a new commission assembled to find ways to reorganize state government and save money in the process turned testy at times.

Republicans complained the Democratic governor’s staff has repeatedly refused to reveal cost saving ideas state agency directors suggested nearly a year ago. Representative Doug Stryuk, a Republican from Council Bluffs who is a member of the State Government Reorganization Commission, directly asked the governor’s budget director for that information. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Politics & Government

Cedar Rapids museum to be built near old facility destroyed by flood

September 9, 2009 By

One of Cedar Rapids’ most prominent cultural institutions, destroyed in last year’s flood, will be rebuilt near the same location. The National Czech and Slovak Museum is situated along the Cedar River. Museum and Library CEO and President Gail Naughton says around 800 people throughout the United States and abroad weighed in on the decision to rebuild. “We wanted to make sure we looked at all the possibilities for a location and that we had done our homework,” Naughton said. “When it came down to it, this was absolutely the best location for our new museum.” [Read more...]

Filed Under: Human Interest

Radio Iowa Poll: September 9, 2009

September 9, 2009 By

Each week Radio Iowa –in cooperation with radio sportscasters from throughout Iowa– rank the top ten teams in each division. Available here each Monday at 3:00 p.m. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Radio Iowa Poll, Sports

UNI looks to rebound from close loss to Iowa

September 9, 2009 By

U.N.I coach Mark Farley says it is time for the Panthers to “move on” and get ready for their home opener against South Dakota. The Panthers suffered a heartbreaking 17-16 loss at Iowa in their season opener. Farley says it’s obvious they are going to have to find a way to pick themselves after missing an opportunity at Iowa. He says they face a very good South Dakota team, which makes it as double issue of getting ready.

The Panthers had two chances to win the game in the final seconds but the Hawkeyes blocked two Billy Hallgren field goals. Farley says it’s “time wasted to think about Iowa anymore, I’ve seen that kick a thousand times on TV and we haven’t made it yet.” He says they need to move forward and look at South Dakota.

South Dakota is 1-0 after opening the season with a victory over William Penn last Thursday. He says they have a great quarterback and a great receiver and have done a good job of transitioning to One Double A football.

Filed Under: Sports

Council Bluffs bridge closes

September 9, 2009 By

Commuters between Council Bluffs and Omaha are forced to find new routes today (Wednesday), as the Veterans Memorial Bridge was forever sealed off by barricades on Tuesday. The narrow two-lane bridge will be torn down and replaced by a four-lane span. Kathy Nugent grew up in the area and spent part of her childhood watching the traffic headed for the old stockyards in south Omaha.

Nugent says, “We used to watch the stock trucks come over filled with cattle and pigs and we tried to watch what was inside the trucks.” Nugent now lives in Chicago but came back to southwestern Iowa to say goodbye to the Missouri River bridge.

“It’s kind of a sad day, a melancholy day,” she says. “I’m disappointed they’re not saving it to at least have as a bike bridge or a foot bridge or something.” Nugent made it a point to make several trips across the bridge Tuesday before it was shut down to traffic. She knew that in order to get back to her summer home at Lake Manawa, Iowa, she would have to take the Interstate 80 bridge.

“That bridge is just one of a million across America,” she says. “This bridge had character. It its own way, it’s a beautiful bridge so I hate to see it go down.” The new bridge is expected to be open by next summer.

Story by Karla James

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With:

U-I Hospital union fighting mandatory flu shots

September 9, 2009 By

The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics is going ahead with plans requiring flu shots for all staff despite a union’s request for a court order to stop it. The Service Employees International Union which represents some 2,800 nurses is asking for a court injunction to stop the shots.

Union Local 199 president, Cathy Glasson, says an educational program promoting the vaccine would be better. “We don’t believe that firing a health care worker, the threat of termination, or sending them home without pay is a good way to encourage folks to want to participate in programs,” Glasson says. Glasson says an educational program promoting the immunization would be better.

She says the union is not opposed to the vaccine as they believe that health care professionals need to received the vaccine and they encourage employees to receive the vaccine. “What we are opposed to is that it is mandated by the employer, this is an issue that University Hospitals should have come to the union before just unilaterally implementing a change that has such a profound effect on the health care professionals we represent,” Glasson says.

University Hospitals C.E.O Ken Kates sent an e-mail message to staff today (Wednesday) that says there’s no change in plans to begin the mandatory flu shots on September 25th.

Filed Under: Health & Medicine

Enrollment up at ISU, UNI, down at U-I

September 9, 2009 By

Iowa State University has more students on campus this fall than anytime in history. The University of Northern Iowa is also reporting a boost in enrollment, while fewer students are attending the University of Iowa. I.S.U. Admissions Director Marc Harding says 27,945 students are enrolled this fall, up 4% from the same time last year.

The student population at I.S.U. includes 18,503 residents of Iowa. “That’s the highest number of Iowans enrolled here since fall 2004,” Harding said. “I think the economy is more than likely playing a role in that.” He says an economic downturn encourages more high school graduates to seek higher education because college grads typically earn more money and are less likely to become unemployed. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Education
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