Three men are charged with illegally shooting a trumpeter swan at the Cedar Bottoms Wildlife Management Area in Muscatine County. Conservation officer Derrick Slutts says he investigated after getting a tip that the swan had been shot Sunday. "I was able to collect some evidence at the scene -- … [Read more...]
State board proposes changes for sports eligibility, creation of summer dead period
The state Board of Education is seeking input on a rule that would end the so-called double jeopardy for students who fail a class. Board lawyer Nicole Proesch says students playing sports must sit out 30 days when the get a failing grade. "We have rules for sports -- but our sports rules don't … [Read more...]
UPS ramping up hiring for the holidays
Many Iowa employers are hiring seasonal workers who will help out through the busy Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Jon Bowers, director of learning technology at United Parcel Service, says very few other employers in the state will be ramping up staffing quite like UPS. "We're planning to … [Read more...]
Board of Education moves forward with changes to seclusion room rules
The State Board of Education took the first step today in approving changes to the rules governing the use of seclusion rooms in Iowa schools. There were concerns about three main issues when changes were first proposed, and the board voted down the first version of the rules in August to allow … [Read more...]
Goldstar Museum has new World War II exhibit focusing on Europe
A new section is now open at the Iowa Goldstar Museum at Camp Dodge which highlights the involvement of Iowans in the fight in Europe during World War Two. Museum Curator Mike Vogt says the new exhibit covers 1,000 square feet. "We have a number of interactive exhibits and some smaller diaramas … [Read more...]
Increase in workforce leads to slight increase in October unemployment rate
The state unemployment rate inched up slightly in October as the workforce expanded. Iowa Workforce Development Deputy Director, Ryan West, says its a unique situation. "The rate for October did slightly go up from 2.5% to 2.6%. However, we also saw an increase of just over 9,000 more Iowans in … [Read more...]
Economist predicts an increase in Christmas shopping this year
Creighton University economist Ernie Goss is projecting growth for retailers in Christmas sales this year. "Based upon our surveys, in these two surveys of manufacturers and bank CEO's in ten states, including Iowa -- the overall numbers are pointing to a positive Christmas holiday buying season … [Read more...]
Northeast Iowa lags behind rest of state in harvest
Snow last week added to what have been continual delays in the harvest. The U.S.D.A. crop report out Monday shows the northwest and north central districts have harvested more than 85 percent of their expected corn crop -- while the northeast district that was hit by snow is just 58% complete. … [Read more...]
Man sentenced to federal prison for sending marijuana to Iowa
A Las Vegas man who was convicted of sending marijuana plants to Iowa has been sentenced to 5 years in federal prison. Sixty-two-year-old Oliver Maupin was found guilty in June by a jury of conspiracy to manufacture and distribute marijuana. Court records show Maupin created two separate … [Read more...]
State Medical Director says flu shot best way to protect yourself
Iowa Department of Public Health Medical Director Caitlin Pedati says the flu-related deaths of two women should be a reminder to everyone to get a flu shot. Doctor Pedati says a flu shot is still the best way to prevent you from getting sick -- and it's not too late in the season to for the shot … [Read more...]