A private contractor is being hired by the state to track state workers’ medical leave, at a cost of 32-thousand dollars per month. State human resources staff will no longer be determining whether employees qualify for time off under the Family and Medical Leave Act. Those decisions will be made by the contracted company.
An investigation by the state auditor has found more than 560-thousand dollars in improper and unsupported spending by the city of Garwin. An audit requested by city officials showed more than 200 payments traced by credit card statements to former City Clerk Anna Leytham over 13 years.
About 250 people turned out to Hoyt Sherman Place last night to hear the most recently-announced Republican candidate Donald Trump speak. Trump criticized the Obama administration for pulling out of Iraq too quickly. Jeb Bush also spoke out against the current administration’s foreign policy. Bush is in Pella tonight, just days after announcing his candidacy.
Rick Perry is the latest GOP presidential candidate to say he’ll speak at the Family Leadership Summit in Ames next month. Perry joins Scott Walker, Marco Rubio, Mike Huckabee, Ted Cruz, Bobby Jindal, Rick Santorum, and Ben Carson at the summit on July 18th.
The bird flu has hit one more time in the state, in Wright County. The last case was reported a week ago. While the outbreak has spiked the price of eggs and roasting turkeys, the ag department says it’s caused a dip in chicken prices, as countries restrict their poultry imports.
Iowa’s Environmental Protection Commission has voted to eliminate a rule that required developers to put down 4 inches of topsoil on construction sites. Developers said it made homes more expensive. Environmentalists said it helped prevent runoff and encouraged plant and tree growth.
The EPC has okayed more controls for wells that tap into the Jordan Aquifer. It sets up a tiered system for existing and future wells. The aquifer is one of the largest sources of water in Iowa.
The city of Des Moines has begun its battle against mosquitoes for the summer. City Crews started the spraying program last night. They say wet weather tends to boost the bugs’ growth. They’ll be spraying a couple of days in each quadrant.
Small companies can get some tips on financing from SBA next week. They’re having financing forums in Des Moines and West Des Moines on June 23rd. They’ll have workshops, presentations and panel discussions.
Dinosaur fans who couldn’t get enough of “Jurassic World” can go on a Jurassic Quest this weekend at Hy-Vee Hall. The event on Saturday lets you go back 65-million years and walk among living, breathing, walking animatronic dinosaurs.
