We may not have a budget yet, but we have begun a new year for state laws. One measure would allow sledding in more public parks next winter by protecting cities from liability if people are injured. Another would allow grocery stores to sell craft beer in refillable containers.… MORE
A federal jury has tossed out a bias suit against the former dean of U-I’s law school. Teresa Manning contended that Carolyn Jones rejected her for a faculty post because of her conservative political beliefs. A former University of Iowa student has been arrested in China for the murder of an ISU student last fall. …… MORE
Up to a thousand Iowa poultry workers could be out of a job by August because of the bird flu epidemic. Iowa Workforce Development is pairing with Iowa Central College to offer job training programs and re-employment opportunities to those affected. Workforce says the money for the program is provided by the feds. … MORE
The EPA loses a battle on Iowa turf…the U-S Supreme Court threw out the agency’s limits on mercury emissions from coal-fired plants, saying it needed to consider costs when deciding the rules. MidAmerican Energy was one of the companies testifying against the stiffer regs.… MORE
The newest list of America’s Top 100 Colleges is out, and Grinnell College is on it, at number 58. The Forbes Top Colleges list shows schools with a winning formula of high student satisfaction and graduation rates, alumni career success, and low student debt.… MORE
Des Moines’ firefighters’ union has censured its chief for lack of safety protocols and lack of respect for his workers. John TeKippe has been criticized for leaving positions open and for setting up a policy that puts new firefighters on probation for two years, unable to help with medical duties. Iowa’s Board of Regents is…… MORE
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
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
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
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
