Industry officials are praising Governor Kim Reynolds for signing an executive order that all new diesel vehicles purchased for state fleets run on B-20 fuel, which is 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel. Iowa Soybean Association president Tim Bardole of Rippey says three new state snow plows … [Read more...]
Another round of state matching grants awarded for job-skill-building programs
State officials notified 22 applicants yesterday that they're getting state grants for programs that will give up to a thousand Iowans new job skills. A few of the winning applicants drove to Des Moines today to talk about their projects. J.B. Holland of Decorah said without the $50,000 state … [Read more...]
Governor makes first visit to medical marijuana manufacturer
Governor Kim Reynolds has toured the operation in Des Moines that grows and manufacturers the marijuana-infused products that are sold legally in Iowa as treatment for a limited number of health conditions. "I had not been there before to tour the facility and see what they're doing," Reynolds … [Read more...]
Reynolds confident about appealing discrimination verdict against state
Governor Kim Reynolds says she's confident the state will be successful in its appeal of the $1.5 million discrimination verdict against the State of Iowa and former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad. "I sat down with my legal team and, you know, after walking it through with them, I'm confident we … [Read more...]
Two Iowa turkeys get temporary reprieve for Thanksgiving
It happened again this year. "A longstanding Thanksgiving tradition and that's the Iowa Turkey Federation annual turkey pardoning," Governor Kim Reynolds announced late this morning. Two male turkeys and about two dozen humans gathered outside the governor's mansion in Des Moines for the … [Read more...]
Governor says Japan trade trip went well
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds just returned from a trade mission to Japan. Reynolds talked about the mission during an event in Sioux County. "As we met with the different individuals that are marketing our products, they saw a lot of potential for us to not only capture some new market share, but … [Read more...]
State officials optimistic Iowa meat sales to Japan will jump
Iowa's governor and the state's agriculture secretary are in Japan, meeting with government officials and grocers to tout Iowa beef and pork. Ag Secretary Mike Naig said Iowa meat has been sold in Japan "for decades." "It's about relationships and meeting with customers to hear their concerns, … [Read more...]
Reynolds embarks on 7-day trade mission to Japan
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds left early this morning on a trade mission to Japan. "It's just to continue to drive markets and look for opportunity," she says. Reynolds will encourage more direct investment in Iowa by Japanese businesses. "We have Japanese companies that are located in Iowa," … [Read more...]
Reynolds says reducing sentences for low-level crimes to be considered
Governor Kim Reynolds spoke this morning with the task force she's assembled to come up with a series of criminal justice reforms. The group's first meeting comes in the same week as more than 400 inmates in Oklahoma were released after that state's governor commuted their sentences. "I saw that … [Read more...]
Secretary of State to outline cost for correcting errors on voter rolls
Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate says he's continuing to work on a plan to fix the flaws in Iowa's list of people who cannot vote due to felony convictions. "My office is going to be assigning more resources to this issue," Pate says, "but I want to make sure the legislature is aware of that and … [Read more...]