Republican Senator Joni Ernst and the top Democrat in the senate are hurling accusations at one another over a bill to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act. Ernst accuses New York Senator Chuck Schumer of blocking Democrats from supporting the bill to hurt her bid for re-election. Schumer … [Read more...]
Wiggins to serve as acting chief justice of Iowa Supreme Court
The justice with the longest tenure on the Iowa Supreme Court is now acting as the top administrator of the judicial branch of state government. Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Cady died of a heart attack last Friday. Two years ago, Cady named Justice David Wiggins to act as chief in his … [Read more...]
Biodiesel advocates lobby for tax credit extension
Officials with Iowa's biodiesel industry are in Washington D.C. this week, pushing members of Congress for promised extensions of tax credits. For two years, biodiesel plants have operated under the promise that tax credits will be renewed, but Congress hasn’t passed the necessary bills for 2018 … [Read more...]
Huge crowd marks passing of Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Cady
Family, friends and much of the state's legal community gathered this morning to pay tribute to Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Cady, who died on Friday at the age of 66. Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht was the first of four to deliver a eulogy. "Iowa has lost an … [Read more...]
Federal commission acting to help with propane shortage
The federal agency that regulates pipelines is taking action to help with Iowa's propane shortage. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is ordering a key pipeline to shift distribution of liquid propane to better serve states like Iowa. If follows a proposal by Enterprise TE Products Pipeline … [Read more...]
Governor says late Supreme Court chief cared deeply about state
A public memorial service will be held today at Drake University for Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Cady, who died of a heart attack Friday. Governor Kim Reynolds and Cady met quarterly to discuss issues, like their shared passion for criminal justice reform. Reynolds said Cady cared … [Read more...]
Iowa cellulosic ethanol plant to shift to research and development
The ethanol plant in northwest Iowa which makes the fuel from corn cobs and corn stalks is downsizing and 30 employees will be laid off in early 2020. The POET-DSM’s Project Liberty cellulosic ethanol plant in Emmetsburg broke new ground in the industry according to Hugh Welsh, the company's … [Read more...]
State gives Last Dollar Scholar awards to college students
A new state program is covering tuition costs and fees this semester for more than 5,800 college students seeking degrees in high-demand jobs. Governor Kim Reynolds proposed the "Last Dollar Scholar" program to fill financial aid gaps for some community and private college students. Sarah … [Read more...]
Senators call on federal regulators to address propane transportation issues
Iowa's two U.S. senators are pushing the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to consider its options and prioritize pipeline shipments of propane to Iowa. Senator Chuck Grassley says he and fellow Republican Joni Ernst are calling on the agency to act right away, as concerns are rising about the … [Read more...]
Closure of Florida tracks may doom Iowa Greyhound Park
The racing season at Iowa Greyhound Park in Dubuque ended November 10, just before the snow started falling, and the track's manager sees storm clouds ahead for the industry. Brian Carpenter, the track's racing director and general manager, said wagering was up 14 percent during this year's … [Read more...]