A commercial delegation from China is in Des Moines today finalizing more than a dozen contract for Iowa products. Overall exports to China for the first half of this year are up more than 63 percent from the same time last year, making China the state’s third-largest export market.
Iowa saw an uptick in its gross domestic product in the past year. But the latest federal figures show it was only 4-tenths of a percent, lower than all our bordering states. When it comes to metro area growth, greater Des Moines ranked 60th on the list.
Neighbors of the Archer Daniels Midland plant in Polk County are concerned about the soy processor’s proposed expansion on the east side of Des Moines. The facility is already considered the biggest polluter in the county, and surrounding residents are asking the Department of Natural Resources about health risks and toxic emissions.
A Polk County District Court judge is backing the state’s selection to handle its multi-million dollar contract. The judge turned down a request from Microsoft and another tech company to reverse the decision. It’s the third time the Department of Administrative Services’ decision was upheld in court.
Urbandale’s schools will be paying their subs more, due to a statewide shortage of qualified substitute teachers. The ten dollar increase in the daily rate is intended to help the district stay competitive.
Folks from Greater Des Moines will get a chance to comment tonight on a comprehensive plan to help design our future community. The first public meeting this fall for Plan DSM will be at Bright Grandview Clubhouse on East 29th Street in Des Moines, starting at 5:30 tonight.
Ames’ Transportation Policy panel has adopted a new long-range transportation plan for the city. The 25-year plan will focus on connecting modes of travel, as well as promoting walking, biking, safety and environmental awareness.
Dakota Access has filed legal papers arguing that no environmental impact report is needed for its proposed oil pipeline that will cut across 18 Iowa counties. The Texas company’s move was in response to the Sierra Club filing a motion asking the state utilities board to require an environmental impact report for the project.
Winter won’t give such a chill to propane customers in Iowa. State fuel analysts say prices have been steadily dropping for most of the year, and inventories don’t usually start building again until March, which would be when they might see an increase.
IDOT is asking the public tonight for feedback on the Rider Corner project. The reconstruction of the interchange at I-35-80 and Iowa 141 would add ramps at 100th street and a half-diamond at Meredith. The public hearing is tonight at Des Moines Metro Planning Office at 5:00.
Iowa Executive Council members are being prodded to approve a 2-year extension of state group insurance rates. The proposed extension would increase the state’s share for health premiums by 6-point-7 percent next year. 32-thousand workers would be covered under the plan.
The state utilities board is looking into complaints from CenturyLink customers about their landline service going dead for a chunk of the summer. Customers said they had service delays ranging from 8 to 34 days. The Office of Consumer Advocate says problems with service are supposed to be cleared up within 72 hours.
DMACC is hosting a STEM Festival next month for the second year in a row. The event will feature hands-on demonstrations, booths with interactive learning activities and presenters from local businesses. It runs from 6-to-8 PM on October 19th at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny.
More than 50 antique cars from a central Iowa collector go on the block Saturday at the Central Iowa Expo in Boone. Grant Quam had collected 85 vehicles over 6 decades before he passed away at 91. Among those being auctioned off are a 1911 Overland Model 51 Touring and a 1918 Peerless limo.
