Category Archives: Torch News

Trump declares candidacy

Donald Trump has officially declared his candidacy for president. He’ll be at Sherman Hoyt Place tonight at 6 PM. He touted the economy and jobs in his official announcement today.MORE

TORCH MORNING NEWS YOU CAN USE:

TORCH MORNING NEWS YOU CAN USE:

It could be July 3rd before the state budget is put to bed.  Governor Branstad made it clear, he’s not rushing into signing the spending plan approved by the legislature. The governor says his deadline is July 6th. Governor Branstad doesn’t think the elimination of the Iowa Straw Poll will hurt the state’s influence on…MORE

Congressional delegation wants EPA to visit on RFS

Congressional delegation wants EPA to visit on RFS

Iowa’s Congressional delegation is pushing the EPA to host a public hearing in Iowa on the proposed Renewable Fuel Standard.  The state produced nearly 3-point-8 billion gallons of ethanol and 230 million gallons of biodiesel, and the delegation would like the EPA to take notice.MORE

Bird flu worst animal health emergency ever

Bird flu worst animal health emergency ever

The bird flu outbreak in Iowa ranks as the state’s worst animal health emergency, according to Iowa’s Ag Secretary.  Bill Northey says it could cost federal and state agencies up to 300-million dollars for the cleanup, on top of the sizable losses for poultry producers.MORE

Straw poll not impacting campaign train

Straw poll not impacting campaign train

The Iowa straw poll cancellation hasn’t slowed down the train of presidential hopefuls coming to the state;  Jim Webb is in Des Moines today, Jeb Bush will be in Pella tomorrow, and Donald Trump is expected on June 27th.  Trump could be announcing his candidacy today.MORE

High school football playoffs cut in half

High school football playoffs cut in half

Not so many playoffs for Iowa high school football next fall.  The state high school athletic association’s board of control reduced it from 32 to 16 teams for all football classes. They say they’re concerned about the safety of kids playing more than one game during a week.  For this fall, the schedules stay as-is.MORE

Torch Afternoon News 6-15: Ted Cruz coming to Iowa this week, Homemakers Furniture building again, Trails and roads closed due to flooding

Torch Afternoon News 6-15: Ted Cruz coming to Iowa this week, Homemakers Furniture building again, Trails and roads closed due to flooding

Homemakers Furniture is building a new massive warehouse facility near its store in Urbandale. The furniture store says the new 120-thousand-square-foot project is meant to beef up its customer service sector…by allowing customers to get their merchandise quicker. This is the 6th major renovation for Homemakers since it opened its Urbandale store in 1985. More…MORE

Gov. Branstad talks Iowa Straw Poll, presidential debates

Gov. Branstad talks Iowa Straw Poll, presidential debates

Governor Branstad, much like many state Republican leaders, said he is disappointed the Iowa Straw Poll was canceled last week, but is now determined to turn the party’s focus on the February Caucus. Branstad talked about maintaining Iowa’s first-in-the-nation spot for the presidential election in his weekly press conference earlier Monday. “We’ve had for the…MORE

TORCH MORNING NEWS YOU CAN USE 6-15:

TORCH MORNING NEWS YOU CAN USE 6-15:

A huge turnout for the first Des Moines Wizard World Comic Con is prompting promoters to bring the event back next May.  Thousands of fans lined up to see their favorite comic book and sci-fi stars, including William Shatner, Dean Cain, Alex Kingston, Brandon Routh and Lou Ferrigno. Corn growers in Iowa are being urged…MORE

Tech jobs up

Tech jobs up

Des Moines is pretty competitive when it comes to the information technology job market.  A Robert Half IT Hiring Forecast shows 20 percent of area tech execs plan to expand their IT teams in the second half of this year.MORE