Iowa's largest manufacturing employer is reporting foul financial news. Quad Cities-based John Deere reports net sales for the second quarter fell 18%, while net income plummeted from $1.1 billion a year ago to nearly $666 million this quarter. That's a drop of 41%percent. A statement from … [Read more...]
Small Iowa lockers now able to sell meat across state lines
The Iowa Department of Agriculture says an agreement that is designed to help small-size meat processing facilities is moving ahead. Iowa Ag Secretary, Mike Naig, says it involved lockers with fewer than 25 employees. "We've got a new cooperative interstate shipment program that will allow them … [Read more...]
Iowa bars prep for reopening next Thursday
Iowa bars and other establishments that serve alcohol will be allowed to open next Thursday, at half capacity. Iowa Restaurant Association executive director Jessica Dunker says bars will be opening under the same sets of restrictions that restaurants currently have to follow during the … [Read more...]
More retailers plan to close stores in wake of pandemic losses
More retailers and big box stores are permanently closing due to economic conditions worsened by the pandemic, bringing untold job losses in Iowa. JCPenney filed for bankruptcy protection last week and now says it will close more than 240 stores nationwide, though it's unclear how many, if any, … [Read more...]
Iowans quickly shifted to drinking at home after bars and restaurants closed
It's unknown if people across the state have been drinking more alcohol as they've had to stay home during the coronavirus pandemic -- but it is clear the shut down of restaurants and bars had some impacts on alcohol sales. Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division spokesman, Tyler Ackerson, says they … [Read more...]
Clipping and snipping resume today as salons and barber shops reopen
Beauty salons and barbershops are able to get back to cutting hair today with the lifting of the coronavirus restrictions. Todd Anderson who owns the Mantrap Beauty Salon and the Le Mars Beauty College says there is a list of things the state requires for both businesses. The list starts with the … [Read more...]
New unemployment claims decline, but remain high
New state unemployment claims were at their lowest level last week since the coronavirus pandemic started. Iowa Workforce Development says there were 16,735 new unemployment claims in the first week of May. That is down by almost 8,000 from the previous week -- and it's the first time the claims … [Read more...]
ISU supply chain expert says reopening will pose more challenges
As more businesses reopen in Iowa, a supply chain management expert at Iowa State University predicts more disruptions and shortages are coming, much like we saw with toilet paper and cleaning supplies in recent weeks. Scott Grawe, associate dean of the ISU College of Business, says rebounding … [Read more...]
Groups push for tougher OSHA enforcement at Iowa factories
A group of Iowa labor and community organizers is calling for state and federal agencies to boost oversight of factories and meat packing plants. Gayle Warner's husband has worked at a Whirlpool factory in Amana for 30 years. During an online forum yesterday, she accused the Occupational Health … [Read more...]
Mary Jo’s Hobo House in Britt fights back from coronavirus shut down
An iconic breakfast and lunch restaurant in northern Iowa is starting to hit its stride again. Earlier this month, Mary Jo's Hobo House in Britt reopened its dining room under specific guidelines set down by the state. Owner Mary Jo Hughes says this has been a tough spring. "I'm not going to lie. … [Read more...]