The employment picture is bright in Iowa’s construction industry. The Associated Builders and Contractors say the state was tied with Maryland in April for the 7th-lowest construction jobless rate in the nation, at 3-point-6 percent. And as the weather’s improved, construction hiring has increased. The redevelopment of the former Register and Tribune building in downtown…… MORE
The American Pickers crew is coming to Iowa. Mike Wolfe, Frank Fritz and the Antique Archeology team will be in the state next month, roaming for adventures on the History Channel. And yeah, they want to hear from you if you have something worth looking at.… MORE
After years of planning from the Des Moines Performing Arts, Cowles Commons in downtown Des Moines will open in two weeks. DMPA Vice President Mary Kramer spoke at the media event earlier today at the plaza, and said the project is an example of many community organizations and companies coming together. Cowles Commons was funded by…… MORE
West Des Moines leaders and stakeholders are looking at different development patterns that would have a fiscal impact on the city’s budget for the future. On Thursday, leaders heard from Smart Growth America, a research group that analyzed West Des Moines development data and how a new development pattern would impact the city in the…… MORE
Urbandale police officers on the streets will soon be adding a body camera to their uniforms. Thanks to a nearly $14,000 donation from the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Grand Lodge of Iowa, 24 cameras will be hooked up to software already established at Urbandale’s police department. Sergeant Gary Lang said the Odd Fellows group…… MORE
A compromise budget deal in the General Assembly has the state spending 7-point-3 billion dollars for the upcoming fiscal year. 7-point-one billion of that is ongoing spending, while another 125-million is for one-time expenses. The plan folds in new funding for state universities that lawmakers say should guarantee a tuition freeze. More than a dozen…… MORE
