The Delta Dental Foundation of Iowa is again offering grants to schools to replace drinking fountains with stations that have touchless water bottle fillers. Foundation executive director, Suzanne Heckenlaible says there's a continued need for the modern stations as schools adapt to the pandemic. … [Read more...]
Transportation Commission approves funds for OHV parks, trails
The Iowa Transportation Commission has approved more than $1.3 million for seven federal Recreational Trails Program projects. DOT spokesman, Craig Markley, says a grant of nearly $97,000 will help rebuild a bridge for the Gypsum City Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Park. "What that does is it … [Read more...]
Two northeast Iowa men admit to illegally harvesting ginseng
Two northeast Iowa men have pleaded guilty to the illegal taking of wild ginseng on state-managed land in September of last year. A DNR Conservation Officer charged 58-year-old Gregg Latham of Oelwein and 49-year Dustin Millard of Strawberry Point with 112 counts of unlawfully harvesting ginseng … [Read more...]
DMU researcher trying to make sinuses legal for identification
A researcher at Des Moines University is trying to prove that spaces in skulls should be used as another legal identification technique for skeletons. Lauren Butaric is an associate professor of anatomy. "We have air spaces in our skull, and the only time we really think about them is when we are … [Read more...]
Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots combined top $1 billion
The Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots both went unclaimed and are at a combined total of more than one billion dollars. Iowa Lottery spokeswoman, Mary Neubauer says it is just the second time that the jackpots have simultaneously topped the $500 million mark. "They both were last won in … [Read more...]
Lot of things planned to celebrate Iowa’s 175th birthday
Iowa will celebrate the 175th anniversary of becoming a state in December of this year and the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs has several things planned to celebrate on the way to that date. Department spokesman Michael Morain says they looked back on what President James Polk wrote in his … [Read more...]
Chief Justice Christensen voted in again by fellow justices
The Chief Justice of the Iowa Supreme Court has been elected by her colleagues to another term. Chief Justice Susan Christensen of Harlan was selected to continue in the role that she was first elected to following the retirement of Acting Chief Justice David Wiggins in February 2020. Wiggens … [Read more...]
State alcohol sales set a record in December
The Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division reports liquor sales for December hit a record for a single month at $42.8 million. That is an increase of 18.48% compared to December of 2019. The pandemic pushed the liquor sales for the last fiscal year that ended in June to a yearly record and an increase … [Read more...]
Unemployment claims rise in last week
The number of ongoing unemployment claims were up last week. Continuing claims were up by more than 5,878 in the last week -- along with an increase of 1,095 new claims. Iowa Workforce Development says around 69% of the new claims were not COVID-19 related -- and likely related to season layoffs … [Read more...]
Iowa Business Council survey shows continuing optimism
The Iowa Business Council's fourth-quarter Economic Outlook Survey continues to show a positive feeling among some of the state's largest businesses. IBC Executive Director Joe Murphy says the survey index gives a reading on plans for sales, capital spending, and employment. "This fourth quarter … [Read more...]