From the daily archives:

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Governor Culver plans to cut his own pay by 10 percent.  

Governor Culver ordered a 10 percent, across-the-board cut in the state budget last week.  In a prepared statement released this afternoon, Culver said the recession has forced everyone to make “financial sacrifices” — including him.  Culver said his office would “lead by example”  and that means a 10 percent cut in his own $130,000 salary. 

Culver’s asked all of his department directors to cut their own salaries by 10 percent, too.

 The salaries of the governor, the state attorney general, treasurer, auditor, secretary of state and secretary of agriculture are set by the legislature.  Culver said he doesn’t expect them to cut their own pay. In his written statement, Culver said those five other statewide elected officials make less than nearly all his department directors and “considering the effort each of them will make…during this difficult time” Culver said he would “insist that they not reduce their salaries.”

Culver’s chief of staff met this afternoon with the leaders of state agencies, outlining proceedures for making budget cuts.  Their plans are to be submitted to the governor’s budget director on October 20th.  Some state worker layoffs could be announced at the end of the month.

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Goss gives Grinch-like view on Christmas shopping season

by Matt Kelley 10/14/09 3:23 PM

Some Iowa stores are already displaying their Christmas decorations, but one market analyst is taking something of a Grinch’s view on the likelihood of a prosperous season ahead. Creighton University economics professor Ernie Goss says many consumers are still hunkered down and will keep their year-end spending in check.
Goss says, “I expect holiday buying to [...]

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Woman and Money conference set for this weekend

by Dar Danielson 10/14/09 3:22 PM

State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald is hosting the annual Iowa Women and Money Conference this weekend in Des Moines. Fitzgerald says it’s the third annual conference and women have responded to it. “Women like to learn in a group setting and talk about these things, and so we’re bringing in experts to talk about all kinds [...]

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Opposing coaches talk about Iowa, ISU and UNI

by Todd Kimm 10/14/09 2:55 PM

Iowa gets set to meet Wisconsin on Saturday and Badgers’ coach Bret Bielema has been on both sides of this rivalry. Bielema played for the Hawkeyes and was also an assistant coach. This will be his fourth matchup with Iowa as the head coach at Wisconsin. Bielema says he has great respect for Iowa coach [...]

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Story County hopes photos lead to robbery suspect

by Pat Curtis 10/14/09 2:35 PM

Authorities are hoping someone can help them identify a man who robbed a bank in central Iowa last week. The Story County Sheriff’s office released surveillance photos of the suspect today.
Sheriff’s Sergeant Rodney Bunn says the photos were taken inside the South Story Bank and Trust in Slater, just before noon last Friday.
The bandit is [...]

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Spencer manufacturing plant closing

by Radio Iowa Contributor 10/14/09 2:08 PM

A key employer in Spencer that makes sealers and vibration control products used by the auto industry is closing. Freudenberg-NOK is going to transfer all operations from its Spencer plant to two facilities in Ohio. Sarah O’Hare is a vice president for the company.
“At some point you can’t afford to keep, you know, 40 buildings [...]

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Class 4A: Chad Owens, Waukee

by Todd Kimm 10/14/09 1:17 PM

The senior quarterback completed 19 of 30 passes for 372 yards and four touchdowns in a victory over West Des Moines Valley. Owens has nine touchdown passes this season and has rushed for another 17.

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