Iowa’s transportation director says the state needs to figure out which roads it wants to save. Paul Trombino says roads need to be assessed from an economic standpoint, with the streets to be maintained determined by what is being transported on them.… MORE
Congressman David Young wants to exercise his grip on the EPA’s purse strings. Young tells the Torch that Congress submitted a budget earlier this week…and is now working on funds for major government agencies like the EPA. Young says the Obama administration is rumored to reject each budget item The bird flu has had a…… MORE
Governor Branstad is suggesting bringing in an outsider reviewer to look at the state’s mental health services. The governor says he’ll continue to review a 4-year plan for redesigning how the state provides mental health care. He told IowaWatch.org he knows not everyone will be on board. Iowa’s DOT is expanding the Highway Helper program to…… MORE
The Des Moines City Council is taking the time to map out what the city could look like in the next 15 years. Among the items discussed in yesterday’s planning meetings was incentives that give residents more pride in their city. Councilman Chris Coleman says residents should have a special discount to city events.… MORE
Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio may be the youngest politician running for the White House this election season, but he still turned out substantial crowds at three events in the metro Tuesday and Wednesday. Rubio made stops in Des Moines, Windsor Heights, and Urbandale as part of his three-day tour in the first-in-the-nation state. Before…… MORE
Iowa gets a “B” for human capital on the latest Manufacturing and Logistics Report Card. The national report looks at the number of high school and college-educated workers. The study added, however, that relatively high taxes may prevent some firms from relocating to the state. Presidential GOP candidate Marco Rubio told supporters in Windsor Heights…… MORE
Another plume of smoke from Canadian wildfires is making the air quality poor in central Iowa. The Department of natural Resources says kids, the elderly and those with respiratory problems should be careful.… MORE
Greece shouldn’t dissolve as a country because of its current financial status…at least according to Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. The former Secretary of State spoke in Iowa City yesterday and talked about the need for European countries to work with Greece. It doesn’t look like state Democratic senators are getting their wish for a…… MORE
For the first time ever, the Republican Party of Iowa will be participating in the Iowa Black and Brown Presidential Forum festivities this year. The party’s Jeff Kaufmann says having forums that showcase candidates from both parties will further justify Iowa’s first-in-the-nation status. Republicans will host a forum at Drake University on December 3rd…while the Democrats…… MORE
Warmer – and drier – weather last week helped out the state’s crop production. USDA says 82 percent of the corn crop and 78 percent of the soybean crop appear to be in good to excellent condition. Some of the crop had been lost due to previous heavy rains.… MORE
