The percentage of Iowans without health insurance has dipped to five percent in the first half of the year, according to the latest Gallup poll. That’s almost half of what it was two years ago. Only four states have lower rates. More good news for Iowa workers…you could be in for a pay raise, according…… MORE
Iowa’s farm industry is getting nervous about commodity prices remaining low this year…and farm lenders and ag economists say the outlook for agriculture could be more grim next year. Prices for corn have dropped 60 percent since 2012, but farmers are still paying rents that are 50 percent higher than seven years ago. A slight…… MORE
Blue-green algae is putting a damper on playing on Iowa beaches. 15 state park beaches have posted warnings due to high levels of fecal bacteria or toxins from algae. DNR recommends against swimming at those beaches.… MORE
Ag experts say low crop prices may prompt Iowa producers to square off with farmland owners over their rent this month. The head of Peoples Company farmland management and investment in Clive says he expects to see farmers terminating leases with landlords by August 31st, since rents remain about 50 percent higher than seven years…… MORE
The state of Iowa has been dismissed from a suit filed by Des Moines and two other cities over IDOT’s order to remove traffic cams from state highways. IDOT still remains in the suit. The judge also approved consolidating the suits into one case.… MORE
Iowa’s board of education has approved new science standards for schools. The Next Generation Science Standards have stirred up some controversy because they include evolution and climate change. Iowa’s two largest universities might be facing a squeeze this fall. The University of Iowa is expecting 500 more students in its freshman class, but ISU’s president…… MORE
Presidents of Iowa’s three public universities are trying to keep their same budgets despite not receiving expected funding from the state legislature. The board was asked to consider raising spring 2016 tuition by 100 dollars for each undergrad to make up for lack of money from the state. They’ll vote on the proposal next month.…… MORE
An Indianola woman has been awarded nearly 12 million dollars in a sexual harassment case against a toy company for which she used to work. Danielle Renneger says her coworkers at ToyQuest subjected her to graphic sexual comments and other harassment.… MORE
Federal charges are being filed against three people who had worked to Ron Paul’s presidential campaign in Iowa. Jesse Benton, John Tate and Dimitrios Kesari are accused of conspiring to buy support from a former Iowa state senator. Benton now heads up a super PAC supporting Paul’s son, Rand’s, candidacy.… MORE
More than a quarter of a billion dollars in personal income taxes made it into state coffers last month. A record number of Iowans in the workforce paid 6-point-4 percent more than Iowans paid last July. Analysts say Iowa’s economy appears poised for a contraction. The Iowa Leading Indicators Index dipped 4-tenths of a percent…… MORE
