Category Archives: Torch News

Ames lab creates vaccine for bird flu

Ames lab creates vaccine for bird flu

In a warehouse building off the interstate in Ames, a two-story lab is busy creating vaccines for all kinds of animal diseases. One of them is the bird flu vaccine, which will help ward off the disease infecting millions of chickens and turkeys in Iowa and neighboring states. Hank Harris of HarrisVaccines said his lab team has…MORE

Perry wants to “find a balance” with NSA oversight

Perry wants to “find a balance” with NSA oversight

Former Texas governor and potential GOP presidential contender Rick Perry spoke to a room full of Iowans on Wednesday about national security and foreign policy. Perry was the first speaker in a series put on by the Iowa chapter of Americans for Prosperity, Peace, and Security. Several topics were touched on that Perry addressed in…MORE

Iowa ranks top 5 in U.S. for worst rural bridges

Iowa ranks top 5 in U.S. for worst rural bridges

Iowa’s rural bridges and roads cost taxpayers, lives, and farmers’ bottom line, according to a new report from TRIP, a national transportation research group. The group studied rural roads and infrastructure across the country to identify areas that struggle to keep products moving and the effect of poor rural roads on local communities. In Iowa,…MORE

Four major charities scam $187 million from donors

Four major charities scam $187 million from donors

Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller has joined other state attorneys general across the nation in filing a federal lawsuit against four cancer charities. The “fake” cancer charities scammed around $187 million from donors over the past few years. The charities named in the lawsuit include: Cancer Fund for America, Children’s Cancer Fund of America, Cancer…MORE

Torch Afternoon News 5-19: Grassley pushes road funding, Des Moines donates wood to bird flu facilities, Ames business 1st to get commercial drone

Torch Afternoon News 5-19: Grassley pushes road funding, Des Moines donates wood to bird flu facilities, Ames business 1st to get commercial drone

An Ames company is among the first in Iowa to get federal approval for using a commercial drone.  Hunziker and Associates will have the drone capture exterior views of house, subdivisions and their surroundings for potential customers and community planning. Des Moines is getting rid of its human services department – the Community Action Agency.…MORE

Des Moines City Council tables TIGER grant application

Des Moines City Council tables TIGER grant application

Des Moines city council members do not want to jump into applying for a federal TIGER grant before they have explored all the parameters of the plan. City councilor Christine Hensley said though she wants funding for a rapid bus transit in the downtown area, she wants a group of city staff, along with the…MORE

Branstad: Legislative session likely to go into June

Branstad: Legislative session likely to go into June

Governor Branstad said he’s being patient while the state legislature continues to work overtime. Branstad said he understands that many bigger and more important bills are handled until the very last days of the session. “Often times, the tough decisions do get left by the legislature ’til the end,” said Branstad. “Patience and perseverance always…MORE

U.S. Transportation Secretary visits Des Moines

U.S. Transportation Secretary visits Des Moines

As a way to congratulate the ongoing work of the Southeast Connector Road Project in Des Moines, U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx visited the city on Friday afternoon. The project was awarded a $10 million TIGER grant three years ago, and has helped create a 2 mile extension of Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway. Des Moines was…MORE