The employment picture is bright in Iowa’s construction industry. The Associated Builders and Contractors say the state was tied with Maryland in April for the 7th-lowest construction jobless rate in the nation, at 3-point-6 percent. And as the weather’s improved, construction hiring has increased.
The redevelopment of the former Register and Tribune building in downtown Des Moines will kick off on July 1st, after a financing hiccup cleared up. TWG Development didn’t get the historic tax credits it was counting on, but has since found alternative financing for the 35-million dollar project.
The bird flu was the hot topic last night at the Science Center, where ISU expert Jim Roth went over how to prevent it. The state has lost more than 26 million birds to the virus, and it’s hurt all those relying on Iowa’s eggs as the nation’s top egg-producer.
Kids with asthma in some of Des Moines’ poorest neighborhoods would get some relief under a new initiative funded by a federal grant. Healthy Homes East Bank targets dilapidated housing full of mold and pests, which hikes asthma rates for kids. Polk County Housing Trust Funds will do the fix-ups, while Mid Iowa Health Foundation will tackle the health issues.
Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson had breakfast in Urbandale this morning. Carson was the guest speaker for the Westside Conservative Club.
Democrat Jim Webb is coming to Iowa next week to meet with voters in downtown Des Moines. The presidential hopeful will be at Domestica on June 15th…it’s the first time he’s been back in the Hawkeye state since last month.
A 3-week public hearing schedule on the Dakota Oil Pipeline is set for mid-November. The state utilities board will make a ruling in late December or early January on whether the cross-state pipeline can be constructed.
An Iowa man has been indicted on charges of threatening to kill members of a Boston Islamic Center. Gerald Ledford allegedly posted the threats on the center’s Facebook page, back in October. He’s also accused of applauding the killing of Muslims on his own Facebook page. He’ll appear in a Boston court on June 24th.
U-I is investigating a report of an attempted sexual assault on campus. Campus police say it happened in the wee hours of Saturday morning, and the victim fought off her attacker, who fled.
Driving could be a bit of a challenge today in parts of Urbandale. The city is patching and overlaying 72nd Street from Hickman Road to Douglas Avenue for the next 3 weeks. They’ll also be installing storm sewer lines along Prairie Avenue from 73rd Place to 74th Street for the next six weeks.
Two Des Moines police officers have been placed on administrative leave after an incident last night with a driver they say was driving erratically. The driver was shot and killed after a chase. The department is questioning the officers on why the gun was fired.
Iowa’s corn crop is progressing well. Ag officials say 96 percent of it has emerged, four days ahead of the five-year average. Not the same story for soybeans, which are nine days behind last year. A third to half the crop in southwest and south central Iowa is still unplanted.
