The state is hiding more than one-and-a-half billion dollars in pension debt, according to a non-profit research group. Truth in Accounting says it got its data from Iowa’s audited Comprehensive financial report from last year, and actuarial reports for the retirement plans. Its report shows Iowa owed 8-billion dollars in total bills, and had 9-billion…… MORE
Several business owners, university groups, and local initiatives were honored yesterday at the governor’s Iowa Environmental Excellence Award ceremony. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ Chuck Gipp says it’s important to honor those who have worked hard all year to make a positive impact on the environment. Blank Park Zoo was one of the excellence award…… MORE
Wind energy could help Iowa meet new pollution rules established by the EPA. Janet McCabe of the agency says the Clean Power Plan requires states to start cutting back on carbon pollution by 32 percent over the next 15 years. They’re also looking to clean energy, such as wind power, to fill the gap…and Iowa leads…… MORE
Polk City voters decide today in a bond referendum whether to fund an aquatic center, soccer fields and baseball diamonds. Knapp Properties is ready to donate the land in return for the city’s commitment to extend Vista Lake Road through the area.… MORE
Federal investigators say the cause of last year’s Younker’s fire in downtown Des moines is “undetermined,” but they won’t rule out hot work done on the building by contractors. They say there was too much damage done by collapsing walls and intense heat to pinpoint an exact cause.… MORE
Governor Branstad’s request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration for 19 Iowa counties from a storm in June has been approved. Residents impacted by the storms can now apply for grants through FEMA and the Iowa Department of Human Services website. More than 500 state inmates were successfully transferred to the new prison in Fort Madison…… MORE
Tens of thousands of balloon lovers from throughout the Midwest and beyond turned out for the National Balloon Classic in Indianola. Mike Paulsen with the Classic tells the Torch there are more than 30 pilots just in Warren County. A hundred balloons were in the air during the event. A federal judge has tossed out…… MORE
Urbandale is going to be a guinea pig for the EPA, according to the city manager. Agency officials will be checking out the city and its leaders at the end of the month to see how Urbandale plans to handle future development. They’ll specifically look at the city’s housing needs.… MORE
The new Fort Madison prison is open for business. More than 500 inmates were transferred there over the weekend. The 166-million dollar facility was supposed to open in March of 2014, but sat empty while a number of problems were fixed, including the ventilation and heating and cooling system.… MORE
Johnston police are reporting an uptick in the number of small thefts in the community this past month…and they’re telling residents to take extra precautions. Open garages and cars in neighborhoods near the library and Johnston Commons have been where the majority of thefts occurred…and police say residents should always lock their cars and keep…… MORE
