The Central Iowa Regional Drinking Water Commission is pulling together a technical committee to consider a regional water system. Bill Stowe of Des Moines Water Works says now may be the time to think about a regional plan. He’s also willing to talk to water districts upstream about clean water solutions. … MORE
Trade secret-stealing charges against the wife of a Chinese billionaire’s wife have been dismissed in a Des Moines court this week. Mo Yun, her brother and five other Chinese nationals were accused of stealing seeds from Iowa cornfields and shipping them out of the country. Prosecutors asked that the charges against her be dropped when…… MORE
Today is Day 2 of the bird flu summit in downtown Des Moines. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack told poultry producers, state officials and businessmen they have a bird flu vaccine that works on chickens, and they’re testing it on turkeys. Vilsack says they’ll leave it up to the state to decide whether to use the…… MORE
The dates for Iowa’s annual tax free holiday for back to school shopping have been set…families can start shopping tax-free on August 7th and 8th…they’ll get discounts on everything from school supplies to backpacks.… MORE
Poultry industry officials and government researchers will gather today and tomorrow in Des Moines to discuss next steps if the bird flu virus returns this fall or next spring. The virus resulted in the deaths of 48 million birds, decimating flocks in Iowa. IDOT is keeping an eye on Congress this week, to see what…… MORE
Des Moines Water Works has spent a record amount this year trying to keep nitrates out of the city’s drinking water. CEO Bill Stowe tells the Torch more than one-and-a-half million dollars has gone into nitrate removal so far this year. They haven’t figured out yet exactly how much more it will cost customers, but it’s…… MORE
Expect to see your water bills go up by at least ten percent each year, starting this spring…at least, if your water comes from Des Moines. Des Moines Water Works’ CEO says the rates still have to be approved by the utility’s board of directors, but the double-digit increase is anticipated with the costs of…… MORE
Des Moines Water Works customers can expect to see their bills go up by double digits this spring. Details are still in the works, and the budget still have to be approved by the utility’s board, but Water Works’ CEO says annual rate increases of more than ten percent are likely for the foreseeable future. …… MORE
A bird flu summit is slated for tomorrow in Des Moines with Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack, Governor Branstad, and businessmen and farmers connected to the poultry industries. One of the topics sure to come up is use of the bird flu vaccine that has been tested 100 percent effective in chickens. USDA’s Dr. David Swayne…… MORE
The Americans with Disabilities Act gets a salute today at the Hoover Building near the Statehouse, as supporters celebrate the 25th anniversary of the measure. Today’s event starts at noon, with a walk to the State Supreme Court Building. A coalition of groups from Iowa, Illinois, North Dakota and South Dakota are speaking out against…… MORE
