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Troopers out in force this week

Troopers out in force this week

Iowa’s roads will get some extra scoping this week, as we head into the Fourth of July holiday weekend.  The state’s Department of Public Safety says the 4th weekend is traditionally one of the deadliest on Iowa highways.  Most of the fatal crashes have been drunk driving cases.MORE

Fire chief censured

Fire chief censured

Des Moines’ fire chief has been censured by the firefighters’ union for lack of safety protocols and disrespect toward firefighters.  John TeKippe has been under fire from firefighters for lack of staff. The union’s president says there are currently more than a dozen positions open across the department that have been left empty for more…MORE

Torch Afternoon News 6-26: Bobby Jindal makes surprise visit in Urbandale, Flooding causes headache for metro, Grimes wants census workers

Torch Afternoon News 6-26: Bobby Jindal makes surprise visit in Urbandale, Flooding causes headache for metro, Grimes wants census workers

Republican presidential candidate Bobby Jindal made his first stop in Urbandale as a contender in the race earlier today. Jindal addressed today’s ruling on same sex marriage by the US Supreme Court, saying he was disappointed in the justices and wants to reform the judicial branch. The metro area continues to feel the effects of…MORE

Torch Afternoon News 6-25: Metro area battling flooding, Iowa leaders speak at EPA hearing, Supreme Court rules in favor of Obamacare subsidies

Torch Afternoon News 6-25: Metro area battling flooding, Iowa leaders speak at EPA hearing, Supreme Court rules in favor of Obamacare subsidies

Lots of flooding around the metro from last night’s storms…several trails and parks are closed today, including Grays Lake and sections of the Des Moines River Trail. No date or time has been set as to when those locations will reopen. Want to know how much rain we actually got yesterday? The National Weather Service reports…MORE

Gov. Branstad fires at EPA during RFS hearing in Kansas

Gov. Branstad fires at EPA during RFS hearing in Kansas

Governor Branstad delivered poignant testimony at the EPA’s public hearing on proposed Renewable Fuel Standards in Kansas City, Kansas today. Branstad started off his speech, alongside Missouri Governor Nixon and Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey, by remarking that the public hearing should have been in Iowa. The governor then outlined the impact of the EPA’s…MORE

TORCH MORNING NEWS YOU CAN USE 6-25:

TORCH MORNING NEWS YOU CAN USE 6-25:

A U-S Supreme Court ruling upholding the Affordable Care Act means more than 34-thousand Iowans won’t be losing their subsidies.  The high court ruled that the IRS can grant tax breaks to those who buy health care coverage through exchanges run in part or in full by the feds Governor Branstad is among 250 people…MORE

Farm equipment manufacturer has 250 layoffs

Farm equipment manufacturer has 250 layoffs

Another Iowa farm equipment manufacturer is having to lay off workers because of low grain prices. Kinze Manufacturing is pink-slipping 215 workers at its plant near Williamsburg.  Deere and Company had to lay off 910 workers at its Iowa factories in January.MORE

Iowans give EPA earful in KC

Iowans give EPA earful in KC

Governor Branstad is among 250 people planning to testify today at an EPA hearing in Kansas City on the impact of changes in the Renewable Fuel Standard.  Opponents of the changes say they would have a stifling impact on the ethanol industry, and go against standards set by Congress eight years ago.MORE

Torch Afternoon News 6-24: Kasich touts success in Ohio, Dallas Co. moves gun apps online, Des Moines receives major flooding grant

Torch Afternoon News 6-24: Kasich touts success in Ohio, Dallas Co. moves gun apps online, Des Moines receives major flooding grant

In his first stop in Iowa in 16 years, potential GOP presidential contender John Kasich talked to a room full of voters Wednesday in downtown Des Moines. The Ohio Governor touted his success in his state as a way to lead America, noting improvements in the state budget, education, poverty, and residents with disabilities. Kasich says he’s…MORE

TORCH MORNING NEWS YOU CAN USE 6-24:

TORCH MORNING NEWS YOU CAN USE 6-24:

An Iowa egg farm is being sued by a food supplier for breach of contract because it didn’t deliver the promised eggs after being struck by the bird flu.  Hawkeye Pride’s parent company lost more than 5-and-a-half million egg-laying hens. The suing company – Michael Foods Egg Products – is a subsidiary of Post. The…MORE