A new bridge over the Mississippi River is not expected to be ready for traffic until 2021, but motorists can take a virtual tour of the structure right now. The virtual reality simulation designed at Iowa State University allows Iowans to see the I-74 Mississippi River Bridge between Davenport and … [Read more...]
Bill would stop charges to consumers seeking a freeze on their credit
A bill that has cleared the Iowa Senate was inspired by he security breach at a credit reporting agency that exposed millions in the U.S., Canada and Britain to identity theft. Senator Brad Zaun's bill would forbid the agencies from charging consumers a fee to freeze their credit in hopes of … [Read more...]
Oversight panel members: Don’t sell the Iowa Communications Network
Two key legislators say they're opposed to selling the state-owned Iowa Communications Network. "There's 3,300 miles of fiber optic cable that the state owns. They service over 1,000...customers with 7,300 accounts. We have a valuable asset. I think the questions is: 'How can we better utilize … [Read more...]
Clinton police officers go ‘live’ with body cams starting Monday
Communities across Iowa, large and small, are investing in video cameras that are worn by all on-duty law officers. Next week, Clinton police will become the latest department in the state to have its officers go live with body-cams. Liz McGuire, spokeswoman for Axon -- which makes body-cams, … [Read more...]
Monday call the last straw for senator taking aim at ‘spoofing’
Annoyed by calls on your cell phone from a familiar-looking number, but it winds up being a telemarketer? State Senator Ken Rozenboom is, too. "Because I'm in the senate and I'd like to respond to constituents, I tend to answer the phone but increasingly, of course, they're telemarketing calls," … [Read more...]
Legislators consider felony charge for use of credit card skimmers
State legislators are exploring the idea of boosting penalties for those caught using devices called "skimmers" to steal credit card information. Skimmers are illegally installed on ATMs, gas pumps and other places where customers insert a credit or debit card to pay their bill. Representative … [Read more...]
Legislators to examine operations of state’s fiber optic network, may sell it
The Government Oversight Committee in the Iowa House will ask a group of paid state commissioners why they missed the alleged misuse of tax dollars by the now-fired director of the Iowa Communications Network. House Speaker Linda Upmeyer, a Republican from Clear Lake, says it's a disappointing … [Read more...]
Governor says ‘flaws’ in Iowa Communications Network have been addressed
Governor Kim Reynolds today said "proper action" has been taken over allegations the former head of the Iowa Communications Network was misspending the agency's money. Whistleblowers came forward this summer. The network's executive director was fired January 4. "In July, we had the staff from … [Read more...]
Central Iowa bus system offers riders free Wi-Fi
The bus system that serves the Des Moines metro area is now offering passengers use of free Wi-Fi while they ride. Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) spokesperson Amanda Wanke says they started offering the free Wi-Fi in the New Year after a successful pilot project. "We did pilot … [Read more...]
New podcast puts spotlight on Iowa women in tech industry
The Technology Association of Iowa is launching a first-in-Iowa podcast highlighting women leaders in the high-tech industry. "Technically Iowa" is a series of interviews hosted by a woman who is already at the forefront of using technology to start a business. Beth Trejo is CEO and founder of … [Read more...]