Staffing shortages in Iowa nursing homes remain "alarmingly high" and are almost twice the national average, according to the state director of AARP Iowa. Brad Anderson says staffing shortages can lead to poor resident care and, in some unfortunate cases, serious neglect. "Forty-two percent of … [Read more...]
Creighton economic report finds Midwest economic growth still slow
Inflation is keeping prices high on all sorts of goods, and a survey of business leaders in Iowa and eight other Midwestern states finds prices rose nearly 6% in the past year, but may only rise 3% in the year ahead. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says the leading economic indicator … [Read more...]
Governor signs law to let minors work at more jobs, for longer hours
Governor Kim Reynolds has signed a bill into law that will let teenagers work longer hours in Iowa and be paid to work in some jobs that are off limits to minors today. "Honestly, it helps fill a need and it allows kids to earn a little bit of extra money, maybe start saving for college or to buy … [Read more...]
Younger bosses get less tolerance from employees in U-I study
A University of Iowa study finds people who have a blundering boss will give them a pass if that boss is older, but they'll judge more harshly if the boss is younger. Michele Williams, a U-I professor of management and entrepreneurship, co-authored the study that surveyed hundreds of … [Read more...]
Unemployment drops despite a slight loss in jobs
Iowa's unemployment rate dropped down to 2.7% in April, compared to 2.8% in March. Iowa Workforce Development spokesperson, Jesse Dougherty, says the labor force participation rate moved up slightly. "Our labor force added 4,300 new workers. So, I think what's notable about that is that's not … [Read more...]
After court ruling, California’s pig production rules to take effect July 1
An Iowa State University economist says there was a whole lot of uncertainty in the hog market well before last week's Supreme Court opinion on pork production. The court ruled California may require that any pork sold in California must come from pigs that are the offspring of sows that had … [Read more...]
Lawsuit filed over ending expanded unemployment benefits early in Iowa
Two Iowans have filed a lawsuit accusing Governor Kim Reynolds of violating state law when she ended federal unemployment benefits that had been expanded at the beginning of the pandemic. Americans who were eligible for unemployment benefits were getting an extra $300 a week under a program first … [Read more...]
House makes changes in Senate bill on teen jobs, work hours
The Iowa House has voted to make changes in a Senate bill that expands the hours teenagers may work and the types of jobs they may perform. Sixteen and 17 year olds would be able to sell or serve alcohol in a restaurant, but not a bar -- and the House voted to require that two adults be present. If … [Read more...]
Workers who died on the job remembered today
Today is Workers Memorial Day and labor groups across the state have ceremonies planned to honor those who lost their livers on the job in the last year. The Iowa Labor Center’s Paul Iverson says year-after-year there is one connection between the deaths. “Every year, so many things that were so … [Read more...]
Carroll County moving ahead with business resource center
The Carroll County Growth Partnership is getting $200,000 from the Iowa Economic Development Authority for a proposed first-of-its-kind rural business resource center known as HUB 712. Partnerships Executive Director, Kimberly Tiefenthaler, says HUB 712 has been in the works for quite some time, … [Read more...]