Though he has not been in the political limelight in the past few weeks, Republican presidential candidate Rand Paul is clearly following along with fellow contender Donald Trump’s media frenzy of the past couple of months. Paul spoke to the Torch’s Robert Rees on Thursday morning about his take on the GOP front-leader. “I think…… MORE
Iowa State now has the most students enrolled this semester in the school’s history. The university announced earlier today that 36,001 students are enrolled this fall, marking the ninth consecutive year of growth for the school. More than 3,500 of the freshman class is from the state. It’s a quiet week for presidential candidates…but it’ll…… MORE
President Obama is coming to Iowa on Monday. The president will join Education Secretary Arne Duncan at North High School in Des Moines. It’s part of the secretary’s “Back-to-School” bus tour. Polk County had a number of school board elections that shook up a few boards…although not in Ankeny, where incumbents held their seats. …… MORE
The hiring of a former IBM exec for the presidency at the University of Iowa has prompted a no confidence vote from the university senate for the Board of Regents. The senate has no power to reverse the decision to appoint Bruce Harreld, so it’s largely a symbolic move, but the faculty says it plans…… MORE
She’s not the first candidate’s wife this presidential cycle to meet with Iowans on behalf of her husband, but Kelley Paul commanded the attention of 20 Polk County Republican women on Tuesday afternoon with a speech about her grandmother and her family’s background. “She was my inspiration for patriotism and bravery,” said Paul to the group.…… MORE
Des Moines’ job picture is looking bright. A new Robert Half forecast shows 12 percent of the area’s chief financial officers expect their company to create new jobs in the next six months. Another 76 percent will be hiring for open positions in their companies. More than half say it’s somewhat or very challenging to…… MORE
Republican presidential candidate Rand Paul is hosting several events in central Iowa this weekend, coming to the caucus state for the first time in six weeks. Paul is the only confirmed candidate signed up so far to participate in Story County’s GOP tailgate at the UI-ISU football game on Saturday. All candidates, the county GOP…… MORE
The University of Iowa’s new president will be former IBM exec Bruce Harreld. He says his business background will be useful to the university during a time of change in higher education, specifically in the state budget. The board of regents bypassed three candidates with traditional academic experience to give Harreld the thumbs up. Some…… MORE
The Iowa Board of Regents is expected to announce today its choice for the next University of Iowa president. The board has been looking over feedback from the campus and community on the four finalists via a secure website set up by Parker Executive Search. Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton still dominates the rest of her…… MORE
As Iowa continues to assess implementing regulations for coal plants under the Environmental Protection Agency’s new Clean Power Plan, Governor Branstad is weighing in on the plan and how Iowa can adhere to its requirements. Branstad attended the Iowa Wind Energy Association’s conference in West Des Moines on Wednesday and was asked by a member…… MORE
