It looks like the legislative session will extend into next month. Lawmakers still haven’t reached a consensus on the state education budget…and have yet to pass the governor’s broadband internet and anti-bullying bills that he pushed for in his state of the union address this year.
Landfill owners in Iowa are getting pressure from the governor and other government leaders to start taking birds infected with the bird flu. Governor Branstad said it’s important that landfills are used first. He said Ag Secretary Northey and USDA secretary Vilsack are also actively urging landfill owners to step up and take the birds.
The city of Des Moines and its chief of police are facing a sexual discrimination lawsuit. The three former employees for the city…a police sergeant, an Animal Control officer, and a crime analyst…all claim they were fired by Chief Shaun LaDue because of their gender and then he retaliated against them after they complained. A jury has been requested in the lawsuit.
Iowa’s Department of Public Safety is setting up a team to spring into action more quickly in child abduction cases. The Child Abduction Response Team will only respond, however, in cases where local law enforcement request assistance.
An Ames bio-tech company is testing a vaccine that could prevent the bird flu. HarrisVaccines says the trials could take four-to-eight weeks. The vaccines would still need to be approved by USDA before they could be used on commercial poultry.
The number of insurers willing to hop on the Iowa health insurance federal marketplace is up to seven now, according to the state insurance commissioner. However, CoventryHealth and Medica Health are the only ones so far offering individual coverage statewide.
School will start on August 25th for Boone students. The school board has approved the start date, which is the first Monday allowed under new legislation approved by the general assembly.
The city of Des Moines is topping another nation-wide list. MarketWatch put out a report today that puts Des Moines as the number four most “business-friendly” city across the U.S., just behind Seattle. MarketWatch ranked cities based on business climate, economic outcome, and performance.
The owners of Southridge Mall are asking the Des Moines city council for permission to build a four-story senior living apartment building at the shopping center. The owners say that more housing could bring in additional development and shoppers. About $15 million has already been poured into the mall by Macerich Company.
There could be another GOP presidential contender jumping into the race soon. South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham says he’ll announce his intentions for the 2016 election on June 1st in his home state. Graham spoke at the Iowa Republican Party’s Lincoln Dinner over the weekend in Des Moines.
