From the monthly archives:

January 2010

A lawyer from Manning who specializes in tax issues is running for the Democratic nomination for Iowa’s fifth district congressional seat. Matt Campbell  is holding a series of events to announce his candidacy. Campbell graduated from Morningside in Sioux City with a degree in political science and economics and then got his law degree from the University of Iowa.

Campbell says he has worked for some of the largest accounting firms in the country and says he has an extensive business background he would like to put to work for the people of western Iowa to help “get the area a bit more focused on economic development and job creation.” Campbell’s website also says he was a volunteer, intern and temporary caseworker for Senator Tom Harkin and helped campaign for Harkin in Iowa and New Hampshire when the Democrat ran for president. Campbell says the stimulus package passed by congress was important as he says that without it, the country would be in the midst of the second Great Depression.

Campbell says banking systems of whole nations have collapsed, and cites Iceland as an example. “At times I think people have a bit of a short memory as to how difficult the whole situation was,” Campbell says. Campbell says incumbent Republican Congressman Steve King has a thin legislative record.

“I just firmly believe that at such a critical time in our nation’s juncture, that we need the best and the brightest ideas coming to the forefront, and if Mr. King…since 2003 can’t offer any legislation that has been adopted, then it’s time to rotate the crops and see if we can get a better yield for western Iowa,” Campbell says. Campbell says King can be “polarizing with some of the things that he says.” Campbell says before talking about the health care debate that nation must talk about a health crisis.

Campbell says people need to take better care of themselves and have a better diet and more exercise. He says the results of the recent election in Massachusetts shows that the country wants both parties to work together and come to a consensus on the issue and he says both Republicans and Democrats are very much concerned about the cost of a health care plan. Campbell is the second Democrat to announce plans to run in the fifth district. Mike Denklau of Council Bluffs also hopes to face off against King.

By Ryan Long, KICD, Spencer

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More development planned around Council Bluffs ped bridge

by Radio Iowa Contributor 01/30/10 9:44 AM

More development is being planned along the Missouri River on either side of the new pedestrian bridge that joins Omaha and Council Bluffs. At the base of the bridge on the Nebraska side is Bridge Plaza, featuring a playground, “fiber-wave” sculptures, water jets and an amphitheater. Council Bluffs Mayor Tom Hanafan says the Riverfront Park [...]

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Business expert says Morrell closing will have wide impact

by Radio Iowa Contributor 01/30/10 9:40 AM

A business expert in northwest Iowa fears the announcement of the closing of the John Morrell meat-packing plant in Sioux City will have a far-reaching impact that could hurt the entire region. Sam Clovis of Morningside College in Sioux City says the economic blow from the plant’s shut down will be serious.
“You can see what’s [...]

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Two eastern Iowa men sentenced for federal crimes

by Dar Danielson 01/29/10 4:06 PM

A Cedar Falls man who used two underage females to make a sexually explicit video has been sentenced to more than 24 years in federal prison. Twenty-nine-year-old Ryan Dean Heath pled guilty in March to one count of production of child pornography.
In a plea agreement, Heath admitted that he had a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old [...]

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Iowa Lottery begins selling Mega Millions Sunday

by Pat Curtis 01/29/10 3:09 PM

Iowa Lottery players will be able to buy tickets in another big jackpot game starting this Sunday. Mega Millions is currently sold in 12 states while Powerball is sold in 30 states, including Iowa. U.S. lottery directors reached an agreement in October to cross-sell the games.
Iowa Lottery spokesperson Mary Neubauer says the deal is of [...]

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National Weather Service outlook shows risk is high for spring flooding

by Dar Danielson 01/29/10 2:39 PM

After record snowfalls and many winter storms Iowans are likely looking forward to the spring thaw — but the National Weather Service says the warmer weather could bring a new set of problems to the state. National Weather Service senior hydrologist, Jeff Zogg, says there’s a good chance of spring flooding.
“Right now we’re looking at [...]

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Northey predicts more staff reductions in ag department

by O. Kay Henderson 01/29/10 12:50 PM

Iowa Ag Secretary Bill Northey says 50 jobs within the Iowa Department of Agriculture will have to be eliminated if the legislature endorses the governor’s budget plan for the agency. 
Governor Culver, a Democrat, proposed a general outline of state spending for all executive branch agencies this past Wednesday.  Northey, a Republican, says there’s about $800,000 [...]

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