Iowa’s economy should look good over the next six months, but not as good as members of the Iowa Business Council expected the past few quarters. Members say some global economic concerns are trickling into their viewfinders, but overall, they’re optimistic about the robust outcomes of their industries.
Construction employment is up for greater Des Moines. Associated General Contractors of America says the metro added 500 jobs in that sector over the past year. Across the state, the number hit 6-thousand.
A pair of central Iowa men are being held for at least four months without bail in a case where they’re accused of making online threats of violence at the World Pokemon Championship. A judge ruled yesterday that Kevin Norton and James Stumbo pose a danger to society. Police say they found guns and ammunition in their car in Boston.
Another sexual assault has been reported on the University of Iowa campus. Campus officials say it happened at a residence hall on Friday. It’s the third assault reported on campus this year.
A deal with the Iowa Events Center Corp will pull in more than a million dollars a year in management fees for Hilton by Year Five of operations…that was the agreement solidified this week with the convention center board. Hilton is expected to have gross revenues of 29 million by that time.
Iowa’s board of regents is asking the state for 15-point-8 million dollars in new money for ISU and UNI in the next budget year. The board cited record enrollment at Iowa State, and in-state students at UNI for the need for an increase. No increase was requested for the University of Iowa.
Boone is getting a boon from Fareway. The grocery chain has pledged 50 grand for the county Historical Society as the city celebrates its sesquicentennial. The society is looking to raise 250-thousand dollars for a new, permanent exhibit.
Last month was the coolest August Iowa has seen since 2009, according to the state climatologist. The average rainfall across the state was 5-point-4 inches, about an inch and a quarter above normal.
The chairwoman of the Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa program is questioning the legality of the way the state is privatizing the management of the program. Mary Mincer Hansen is questioning the legal authority of the director of DHS to make decisions for the Hawk-I program without input and approval from her board.
Former Dahl’s employees who invested in the company’s stock plan could be getting back a little of their money. A lawyer representing Dahl’s Food says once the defunct chain’s debts are settled, Dahl’s could have about a million dollars to pay out to employees in its ESOP.
Des Moines’ firefighters’ union is steamed over the decrease in the number of firefighters in the past year. Union leaders say they now have 30 fewer in the department, while crews are responding to 600 more calls this year. The union says 80 percent of its membership want a change in leadership, but the city manager says there are no plans to make changes.
Ensuring Iowa families are ready for any type of disaster is on the number one priority for the Iowa Red Cross the next few weeks…and it’s National Disaster Preparedness Month. Kara Kelly with the group’s regional office says events will be held throughout the month to help guide families in the planning process.
The decline of China’s hog herd will boost demand for U-S pork, according to a new report. Chinese pork production is forecast to drop by 3-point-7 million tons. Analysts say it couldn’t happen at a better time, since there’s been a global supply glut.
If an asteroid tips on a collision course toward Earth, ISU research will probably come to the rescue. Scientists in the Asteroid Deflection Research Center have found a new way to disrupt asteroids using a multi-vehicle strategy rather than a nuclear option. Now all they need is funding to develop it.
