Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra is pushing to expand a 2018 law about a new technology that processes data dramatically faster than traditional computers do. It's called quantum computing and it has the potential to improve existing industries -- and create new ones. "This is the fastest … [Read more...]
Ribbon cutting for IBM’s new Dubuque "delivery center"
Officials from IBM are in Dubuque today to mark the opening of the company's newest "delivery center" that will eventually employ over 1,200. Mike Daniels, senior vice president of IBM's Global Technology Services, is among those on hand for this morning's ceremonial ribbon … [Read more...]
Court sides with AOL in tax dispute
The Iowa Supreme Court has sided with America Online in its tax dispute with the State of Iowa. The dispute is over whether AOL should pay sales tax to the State of Iowa for the Internet services it provides to Iowans. The determining issue, according to the court, is where the AOL service -- or … [Read more...]
Int’l Video Game Hall of Fame in Ottumwa
The video gaming industry is worth billions of dollars and a southeast Iowa town wants to cash in on everything from the latest games all the way back to Pac Man. Ottumwa Mayor Dale Uehling will be helping unveil plans today for what will be called the International Video Game Hall of Fame and … [Read more...]
Clemons man to spend 15 years in federal prison
A 52-year-old man who was living in the small, central Iowa town of Clemons has been sentenced to 15 years in a federal prison on child pornography charges. Last October, an undercover cop received child porn from Ralph Edwin Johnson over the Internet. It was part of a national sting operation. … [Read more...]
Lamoni man gets 10 years in prison for "sexually-explicit chats"
A southwest Iowa man has been sentenced to 10 years in a federal prison on sex-related charges. Forty-five-year-old Robert Kevin Woodard of Lamoni pleaded guilty in March to a charge of "enticement of a minor for sex." He was sentenced this week. Authorities say back in 2007 -- from the end … [Read more...]
Free, "e-Learning" course for 5700 Iowans
Microsoft is offering free, online help to Iowans who want to improve their computer skills. The service is available to the first 5700 Iowans who sign up for it either by calling the state agency known as Iowa Workforce Development or going on the agency's website . Iowa Workforce Development … [Read more...]
Use caution with "secret shopper" offer
Iowans are being warned about a "secret shopper" scam which may have its roots in Nebraska. Authorities in both states are investigating the scheme in which people are recruited to patronize certain businesses, report on the experience and get paid for it. Nebraska Attorney General Jon … [Read more...]
State may extend tax breaks to big "data centers"
The Iowa House has passed a bill designed to attract huge data centers to Iowa. Current law gives "web portal businesses" like Google a refund on the sales taxes the companies pay on computer purchases and electricity. But as Representative Doris Kelley points out, to qualify for those … [Read more...]
No ban on cell phone use in cars — this year
A key lawmaker says bills which would ban cell phone use in vehicles or punish those caught putting on make-up or reading while driving will likely die in the Iowa legislature this year. Senator Keith Kreiman, a Democrat from Bloomfield who's chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, was … [Read more...]