Egg production in Iowa has dropped 28 percent from last year because of the bird flu. USDA says national egg production fell 6-and-a-half percent.… MORE
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TORCH MORNING NEWS YOU CAN USE 6-22:
There has been a growing number of attacks on the city of Des Moines’ computer network, according to the city’s information technology director. He told the city council this morning that there’s been an 11-hundred percent increase in intrusion denials. The director is recommending an upgrade in both web and digital services. An out-of-state company accused…… MORE
Car crashes and deaths down
The greater Des Moines area has been hit with fewer car crashes and car-related deaths in the past decade, according to the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization. The biggest number of accidents were during afternoon rush hour, especially on Fridays.… MORE
Torch Afternoon News 6-19: Telemed abortion ban ruled unconstitutional, Iowa lacking in summer reading programs, US Dept. of Labor gives $5.25 million for bird flu aftermath
Iowa’s highest court has ruled that telemed abortions can continue in the state. The court threw out the ban imposed by the Iowa Board of Medicine that required a doctor to be there when a woman took drugs to induce an abortion. Planned Parenthood had taken the board to court, saying the rule made it…… MORE
TORCH MORNING NEWS YOU CAN USE:
The greater Des Moines area produced 44 billion dollars’ worth of products last year, according to the U-S Conference of Mayors’ latest report. That’s up 4-tenths of a percent from the previous year. It’s also more than what was produced by the entire state of Vermont. A Lee County fertilizer plant wants to increase the…… MORE
Torch Afternoon News 6-18: Branstad writes to Obama, Ernst talks RFS, Judge hears speed cameras lawsuit
Governor Branstad is asking for a Presidential Disaster Declaration for the bird flu epidemic. Branstad wrote to President Obama that Iowa needs help from FEMA with the effects of the disease on unemployment, the disposal process, and prevention of any further cases. Branstad says over 15-hundred people working in the poultry production sector will lose…… MORE
Torch Afternoon News 6-17: Iowans leaders plan trips to Cuba, Jeb Bush visits Pella tonight, Free master’s program for Des Moines teachers
If you’re a public school teacher in Des Moines, you’ll soon be able to get your Master’s Degree for free from Drake University. The district’s school board approved a contract with the university last night to create a special master’s program for teachers. It’ll cost the district $150,000 the first year, and is funded through…… MORE
TORCH MORNING NEWS YOU CAN USE 6-17:
A private contractor is being hired by the state to track state workers’ medical leave, at a cost of 32-thousand dollars per month. State human resources staff will no longer be determining whether employees qualify for time off under the Family and Medical Leave Act. Those decisions will be made by the contracted company. An…… MORE
Wet fields put damper on planting
Some Iowa farmers are having trouble spraying their fields for weeds, because of the wet weather we’ve had. USDA says standing water is also a problem, causing some drowned out spots that will need to be replanted. On the other hand, 84 percent of the corn crop has been rated good-to-excellent so far.… MORE
Jim Webb feels out Iowa support
Former Virginia Senator Jim Webb made several appearances in central Iowa the past few days, meeting with various voter groups and potential donors. The likely presidential contender for the Democrats first made a speech at the Urbandale Democrats’ Flag Day celebration on Sunday evening. He talked about his view of American veterans and the military,…… MORE
