Category Archives: Torch News

Torch Morning News you can use 7-31:

Torch Morning News you can use 7-31:

Iowa drivers could be paying two dollars a gallon for gas by next year…that’s the word from GasBuddy.  A slowing economy in China and the easing of sanctions against Iran could mean a big increase in oil supplies, which lowers prices. The drop in oil prices appears to be inspiring more investment in factories, according…MORE

Lotto revenue up

Lotto revenue up

Scratch tickets have boosted the sales for the state’s lottery over the past year.  Lottery sales are 3-and-a-half percent higher than this time last year, setting a new record at 212 million dollars.MORE

Regional water system considered

Regional water system considered

The Central Iowa Regional Drinking Water Commission is pulling together a technical committee to consider a regional water system.  Bill Stowe of Des Moines Water Works says now may be the time to think about a regional plan. He’s also willing to talk to water districts upstream about clean water solutions. MORE

Group turns in petition to Governor Branstad over mental health hospitals

Group turns in petition to Governor Branstad over mental health hospitals

Local leaders in the mental health industry as well as a state representative gathered on Thursday afternoon on the capitol steps to turn in more than 5,000 Iowan signatures to an online petition that asks Governor Branstad to hold off on closing the remaining two mental health hospitals in the state. Des Moines resident and…MORE

Chinese billionaire’s wife no longer faces seed theft charges

Chinese billionaire’s wife no longer faces seed theft charges

Trade secret-stealing charges against the wife of a Chinese billionaire’s wife have been dismissed in a Des Moines court this week.  Mo Yun, her brother and five other Chinese nationals were accused of stealing seeds from Iowa cornfields and shipping them out of the country.  Prosecutors asked that the charges against her be dropped when…MORE

Torch Afternoon News 7-29: Senator Ernst urges defunding of Planned Parenthood, Rally planned for mental hospitals, IDOT looking at I-235 changes

Torch Afternoon News 7-29: Senator Ernst urges defunding of Planned Parenthood, Rally planned for mental hospitals, IDOT looking at I-235 changes

Senator Joni Ernst and fellow Senate Republicans are urging members of both parties to support a bill that would defund Planned Parenthood. Ernst said during a press conference on the bill earlier today that this is not just a one-party issue. The legislation is in response to videos that depict Planned Parenthood leaders discussing the harvesting…MORE

Torch Morning News you can use 7-29:

Torch Morning News you can use 7-29:

Today is Day 2 of the bird flu summit in downtown Des Moines.  Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack told poultry producers, state officials and businessmen they have a bird flu vaccine that works on chickens, and they’re testing it on turkeys.  Vilsack says they’ll leave it up to the state to decide whether to use the…MORE

Tax Free holiday next week

Tax Free holiday next week

The dates for Iowa’s annual tax free holiday for back to school shopping have been set…families can start shopping tax-free on August 7th and 8th…they’ll get discounts on everything from school supplies to backpacks.MORE

Torch Afternoon News 7-28: Vilsack talks bird flu vaccine, Next Gen leader visits DMACC, Branstad not supportive of Des Moines Water Works lawsuit

Torch Afternoon News 7-28: Vilsack talks bird flu vaccine, Next Gen leader visits DMACC, Branstad not supportive of Des Moines Water Works lawsuit

  There could be a 100 percent effective bird flu vaccine coming to Iowa poultry producers…that’s the word from Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack…he said his department is working with a private company to develop the vaccine. Vilsack said another wave of the bird flu will probably hit this fall. The U.S. Senate will vote on…MORE

Governor Branstad latest GOP’er to call out Donald Trump

Governor Branstad latest GOP’er to call out Donald Trump

As the month of Donald Trump’s continuous wheel of outspoken remarks winds down, Governor Branstad is putting his two-cents worth on the GOP presidential candidate. ““I don’t think he’s going to be the nominee, but you know he, like any other candidate, has an opportunity to express their viewpoint,” Branstad said in a press conference…MORE