Agreement reached to move proposed Marshalltown electric plant forward
April 30, 2013 By Dar Danielson
An agreement's been reached between Alliant Energy subsidiary, Interstate Power and Light Company, and the Office of Consumer Advocate that keeps plans on track for a new natural gas electric plant in Marshalltown. Alliant spokesperson, Ryan Stensland, says the company and Consumer Advocate settled their differences on three rate issues. "They weren't major differences -- but they were differences none the less -- in just some of the cost parameters of the project. The rate of return and … [Read More...]
Teacher “accountability” still a stumbling block to education reform bill
April 30, 2013 By O. Kay Henderson
There is some movement in education reform discussions at the statehouse, but no breakthrough. Senate Democrats have agreed to accept the Republican proposal for a lower starting teacher salary of $33,500 and they've accepted the GOP's lower, $306 per pupil payments to school districts that enact new teacher improvement plans. Senator Herman Quirmbach and other Democrats also have agreed with the GOP demand that schools be able to opt out and do nothing. "I think that that's a mistake, … [Read More...]
Senate votes against new liability protections for farmers
April 29, 2013 By Radio Iowa Contributor
A bid to respond to a February ruling by the Iowa Supreme Court and give landowners new protection against liability lawsuits has failed in the Iowa Senate. A 1967 Iowa law grants liability protection to private property owners who allow recreation, like hunting and fishing, on their property. The Iowa Supreme Court ruled in February that liability protection does not extend to a farmer who was giving a farm tour to kids from Oelwein when one of the chaperones was injured by a fall out of the … [Read More...]
Police search for shooter in Sioux City
April 29, 2013 By Radio Iowa Contributor
Police are searching a neighborhood on the west side of Sioux City, looking for a man armed with a rifle who shot a cop earlier this afternoon. Sioux City Police officer Chad Sheehan says the shooting happened during a traffic stop. "As the vehicle pulled off into an alley...the suspect exited the vehicle and opened fire on the officer before he could even exit his vehicle," Sheehan says. The suspect then fled on foot. He's identified as 22-year-old Jamal Dean of Sioux City. Dean is … [Read More...]
Governor defends economic development chief’s travel
April 29, 2013 By O. Kay Henderson
Governor Terry Branstad is vigorously defending his economic development director's travel expenses. A Des Moines television station reported last week that the state spent more than $73,000 on Iowa Economic Development Authority director Debi Durham's travel during the state's last budgeting year, some of it on first-class plane tickets. "That is a bunch of baloney," Branstad says. "...She has always flown by coach class if it's within the United States or business class if it's … [Read More...]
Politics & Government
Teacher “accountability” still a stumbling block to education reform bill
April 30, 2013 By O. Kay Henderson
There is some movement in education reform discussions at the statehouse, but no breakthrough. Senate Democrats have agreed to accept the Republican proposal for a lower starting teacher salary of $33,500 and they’ve accepted the GOP’s lower, $306 per pupil payments to school districts that enact new teacher improvement plans. Senator Herman Quirmbach and other Democrats [...]
Business & Economy
Agreement reached to move proposed Marshalltown electric plant forward
April 30, 2013 By Dar Danielson
An agreement’s been reached between Alliant Energy subsidiary, Interstate Power and Light Company, and the Office of Consumer Advocate that keeps plans on track for a new natural gas electric plant in Marshalltown. Alliant spokesperson, Ryan Stensland, says the company and Consumer Advocate settled their differences on three rate issues. “They weren’t major differences — [...]
Sports
Drake has 5 games to determine conference tourney seed
April 29, 2013 By Todd Kimm
The stretch run is underway for the Missouri Valley Conference softball race. Drake sits in third in the league race with a 12-7 and will host first place Creighton in a doubleheader on Tuesday. The Bulldogs title hopes took a big hit over the weekend when they dropped two out of three games of a [...]
INS Player of the Week
Class 5A: Tara Schwaderer, Sioux City East
February 13, 2013 By Todd Kimm
The senior scored 21 points and hauled down 12 rebounds in a victory over Sioux City North. Schwaderer made 8 of 12 shots from the field, inxcluding two of three from three point range.