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 the political landscape. He says those who turn their nose up at Iowa are jealous of the state’s first-in-the-nation status.
Presidential hopeful Jim Webb is in Des Moines today, and newly-official candidate Jeb Bush arrives in Pella tomorrow. Donald Trump will have an announcement tonight at Sherman Hoyt Place in Des Moines.
Police have nabbed a pair of Des Moines men they’ve charged with using a skimmer device to steal ATM card information. Michael Silva and Jose Caro have been charged with several felonies.
Homemakers Furniture is expanding in Urbandale. The company is constructing a 120-thousand square-foot warehouse, its sixth renovation since the facility opened 30 years ago.
University of Iowa researchers just made a whole bunch of friends among fast food lovers. They found that salt on French fries actually helped prevent mice who ate them from gaining weight.
A downtown Des Moines historic building will soon house an outreach center for troubled kids. Iowa Homeless Youth Centers is spending nearly 2-million bucks rehabbing the old Iowa State Bank on Locust Street. The center will include emergency beds for youth between 16 and 22 years old.
Des Moines Public Schools is expanding its International Baccalaureate program to the junior high level. Brody Middle School is now an authorized IB World School. That makes nine schools in the district currently offering IB programs.
Fewer Iowa high school football teams will be going to the playoffs next fall. The state High School Athletic Association says it’s cutting the number of qualifying teams in half for player safety reasons.
