An expert at Iowa State University is conducting an online survey of Iowa wine drinkers to learn more about how and why they choose products made in the state. Aude Watrelot says the survey on white and red wines covers many aspects of the decision to buy a product. "Do they buy those wines at a … [Read more...]
Special traffic enforcement planned for big game weekend
There'll be lots of parties this weekend for the big game and there will also be plenty of patrol cars on the road looking for drunk and impaired drivers. Sergeant Paul Gardner of the Iowa State Patrol says an extra enforcement effort is planned to try and get everyone home safely. "In 2022 there … [Read more...]
State liquor sales appear to have returned to pre-pandemic level
State liquor sales revenues were up by nearly four percent in the fiscal year that ended in July, in what was the lowest increase in five years. Sales last year were up 13%, and Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division Chief Financial Officer, Leisa Bertram, says things appear to be leveling off … [Read more...]
Public Safety Director: alcohol sales at Kinnick Stadium improving game day experience
The director of the University of Iowa Public Safety Department says the introduction of alcohol sales in Kinnick Stadium has led to some positive changes. Director Mark Bullock told the Board of Regents he didn't anticipate that happening. "I was personally, I think, like many others, not … [Read more...]
Alcohol deaths in the state up in the last decade
Information gathered by the Governor's Office of Drug Control Policy shows an increase in alcohol-related deaths from 440 in 2011 to 827 in 2021. The director of the office. Dale Woolery, says the pandemic could be part of the reason for the increase. "I think some of that happened regardless of … [Read more...]
State auditor candidate says his whistleblower past shows courage
Republican candidate Todd Halbur says his record as a state government whistleblower shows he has the courage to be state auditor. Halbur says as chief financial officer of the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division, he discovered the agency was overcharging Iowa restaurants, bars and retailers for … [Read more...]
Jury awards $1 million to fired state worker who’s GOP nominee for state auditor
A jury has awarded the Republican candidate for state auditor $1 million in his wrongful termination lawsuit against the State of Iowa. Todd Halbur was hired to be the comptroller of the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division in 2015 and fired in mid-2018. Under Iowa's liquor control system, the state … [Read more...]
U-I professor’s book details his fight against alcohol
A private story about a University of Iowa journalism professor's journey to sobriety goes public in a book that will hit store shelves tomorrow. Don McLeese is being featured in this weekend's Iowa City Book Festival and says his story is not about the typical to-hell-and-back struggle. He's … [Read more...]
Manchester brewery hopes to expand with cans
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig recently toured the Franklin Street Brewing Company in Manchester as part of a new state program. "We are in the process of launching a new Iowa branded program for Iowa made Iowa grown Iowa raised products and they're a good example of where this is these … [Read more...]
ISU professor examines increased use of alcohol by women
An Iowa State University Sociology professor finds a pandemic-related link between the increase in drinking among women. Susan Stewart starting looking at the increase in alcohol use among women before the COVID outbreak, and then refocused to look at the pandemic impact. "The pandemic took a … [Read more...]