President Obama wants to make college more affordable and getting into college easier…that’s what he told a crowd of more than 2 thousand at North High School yesterday. Obama talked about the need for further education than just high school. He outlined a few new education proposals, as well as answering questions about the need to make schools more diverse.
The president got a bipartisan welcome when Air Force One touched down in Des Moines. Republican Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds was there, along with Democratic Mayor Frank Cownie, Republican Congressman David Young, and Democratic Polk County Supervisor Angela Connolly. Also on hand were a dozen Iowa Air National Guardsmen, who the president made a point to greet.
It’s a good time to be an apprentice in Iowa…at least that’s what the Branstad administration is championing. The Lieutenant Governor met with leaders in the apprentice field, including Jason Shanks with Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 33. Shanks says his 60-plus apprentices receive great benefits.
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton spelled out a policy agenda for tackling sexual assault on college campuses during her visit to Iowa yesterday. Clinton told a UNI crowd her plan includes providing support to survivors, ensuring a fair process for all, and increasing prevention efforts.
Five Iowa teachers are up for Presidential Awards for Excellence. Lynne Bleeker at Parkview Middle School in Ankeny, Shannon Harrison McLaughlin from Norwalk High School, Alicia Schiller from Central Lee High School in Donnellson, Rick Brooks from Johnston High School, and Curtis Martinek from Gilbert High School are finalists.
Des Moines’ city council is contemplating changes to the city’s tax abatement program. Councilor Chris Coleman wants to go slow with changes. Coleman says a more abrupt change could end up costing taxpayers an extra 2 grand a year, which might make it tough to attract people to buy property in the city.
The city council last night strongly suggested to the city manager to have a chat with his fire chief about concerns voiced by the firefighters’ union. The union showed up before the council to show their disapproval of the chief, who they hold responsible for not filling staff positions.
A computer expert with the state’s executive branch reportedly inquired about the price of Italian hacking software used by intelligence and police agencies. But the expert didn’t buy the product. The state says the inquiry three years ago was part of research into possible cyber threats that could be used to hack into confidential data.
Iowa’s Department of Human Services has submitted waiver requests with the feds to shift Medicaid to a privately-run managed care system at the start of the new year. DHS says the change will provide quality services while saving more than 51-million dollars in the first six months.
Public meetings for the new comprehensive plan for the greater Des Moines area will kick off next week. The first of four public meetings is set for next Thursday at Bright Grandview Clubhouse at Polk County River Place, starting at 5:30.
The EPA is offering a settlement to the former Townsend Industries chemical storage facility in Pleasant Hill, where groundwater pollution was discovered. The deal requires the firms tagged by the agency as responsible parties to clean up the site.
Iowa drivers can expect to dodge deer again this fall. A new review of accident data from State Farm shows one in 68 will collide with a deer on the road. That’s the third-highest rate in the nation.
