More than 300 people showed up in Cedar Falls Thursday night to hear Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio outline his vision for the country. It was Rubio’s first stop on a two-day swing through Iowa, and his first time addressing the Cedar Falls crowd. After giving his routine stump speech about foreign policy, education reform,…… MORE
Cutting pollution from emissions may be as simple as adding oat hulls to the mix. ..that’s what U-I scientists say. Their research discovered that burning a 50-50 mix of the hulls and coal at the university’s power plant cut carbon dioxide by 40 percent.… MORE
Iowa could be getting a small number of Syrian refugees next year, according to the governor. Governor Branstad says welcoming the displaced Syrians is a good thing, as long as they’re thoroughly vetted first. He also wants to make sure the state is informed in advance of their arrival. Deere and Company reached a tentative…… MORE
There appears to be a new deal for the John Deere Company and the UAW. The union represents thousands of workers at a dozen Deere factories, including several in Iowa. The next step is for the deal to go to union members for a vote.… MORE
Iowa’s STEM Scale-Up programs are giving students a boost, according to a new evaluation. It shows students taking part in the programs scored an average of 6 percentage points higher on their annual math and science assessments. 81 percent of the teachers in the program said they had more confidence teaching STEM content.… MORE
Urbandale’s Webster Elementary School and Grinnell’s Davis Elementary are among five Iowa schools named National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2015. The honor is for overall academic excellence, or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups. A state educational task force is recommending a new science exam for public schools. The exam aligns with…… MORE
Harding Middle School students got a special visit from actor and White House staffer Kal Penn early this week. Penn is the ambassador to the school for the White House’s “Turnaround Arts Initiative,” which incorporates art-focused activities in regular courses such as math, science, and civic engagement. It was Penn’s second time checking up on…… MORE
Des Moines’ city hall is getting an overhaul…and it means some of its operations will have to temporarily relocate. The historic building is getting new heating and cooling equipment, and a new sprinkler system. The 3-million dollar project is expected to start next summer. Des Moines’ 25-year comprehensive plan will include downtown development…and the city…… MORE
Des Moines’ city manager says he’s waiting for a detailed list of concerns from the city’s fire fighters’ union to see what can be done to ease tension in the department over leadership. 86 percent of the union’s members voted no confidence in the chief this summer. They’ve been making their complaints via social media.…… MORE
Plan DSM was on display last night at Bright Grandview Clubhouse for the first of four public meetings. Mayor Frank Cownie says they’ll incorporate the feedback into the final draft sometime in February, and will rewrite codes to comply with it. The next meeting is Tuesday at Polk County River Place. Building up Iowa’s relationship…… MORE
