A bill just starting to navigate its way through the Iowa legislature would provide $200,000 in state tax money to support the commissioning of a Navy submarine bearing the state's name. The USS Iowa is a nuclear powered submarine that's under construction in Connecticut. Captain Quintin James, … [Read more...]
Iowa’s record 2022 corn harvest spurs rail car surge
Iowa's record 2021 corn harvest led to a significant increase in traffic on the rail lines that run through Iowa. "The car loads of grain in 2021 were the most since 2008. This is mostly due to the high volumes that were being exported. That's a great spot for our state here in Iowa," says Iowa … [Read more...]
Three Iowa Mayors attend national event
For the first time since the pandemic began, the U.S. Conference of Mayors is underway in person in Washington D.C., and three Iowa mayors are in attendance. Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie sits on the conference's executive committee and says COVID-19's persistence nearly forced them to go … [Read more...]
Federal government reaches settlement with Sioux City medical practice
A medical practice in Sioux City has agreed to pay a $600,000 settlement to resolve allegations it improperly submitted bills for tummy tucks and other cosmetic procedures to Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE -- the government insurance program for active-duty military and veterans. Federal … [Read more...]
House GOP plans vote on general state aid for schools
Speaker Pat Grassley says Republicans in the House will advance a plan next week that sets the general level of state taxpayer support of Iowa's public K-12 schools for the next academic year. Republican Governor Kim Reynolds has recommended a 2.5% increase. "That's a pretty reasonable estimate," … [Read more...]
Congresswoman Hinson responds to criticism on lock and dam funding
Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson is defending her statement that "we" secured $829 million in funding for locks and dams on the Upper Mississippi River. Hinson, a Republican from Marion, voted against the Democrat-backed infrastructure package, but she was part of a bipartisan group that worked … [Read more...]
MidAmerican announces large renewable energy project
MidAmerican Energy has filed plans with the Iowa Utilities Board for a $3.9 billion renewable energy project. Company spokesman Geoff Greenwood says the goal is to hit net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. "It includes wind projects, solar by 2024 -- but we'd also like to study some new … [Read more...]
Charges dropped in Wright County hog operation break in
Charges are dismissed against a man who was accused of breaking into a Wright County hog operation in 2020, placing hidden cameras and stealing a live piglet. Thirty-five-year-old Matthew A. Johnson of Berkley, California was to have had his trial starting today in Wright County District Court in … [Read more...]
Bill to bar cities, schools from requiring Covid shots for school attendance
A bill eligible for debate in the Iowa Senate would ensure the State Board of Health has sole authority for adding to the list of required vaccinations for children enrolled in Iowa schools or child care centers. The bill would prohibit school or city officials from requiring that children be … [Read more...]
Senator Grassley says free masks, COVID tests may be too late
The federal government plans to distribute 400 million free face masks, in addition to millions more COVID-19 test kits, ideas Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says are good but maybe too little, too late. The N-95 masks are said to offer better protection than cloth coverings and they'll be passed … [Read more...]