Deere faces class-action lawsuit on sex discrimination

Moline, Ill.-based Deere & Co., the world’s largest maker of agricultural equipment, on Wednesday was accused in an amended lawsuit of systematically discriminating against women seeking entry-level positions, Bloomberg reported. Holly Artis, who sued last …

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Winnebago beats estimates, but warns on outlook

Winnebago Industries Inc., the largest U.S. motor home maker, beat quarterly profit estimates today, but warned that rising fuel prices and commodity costs could present problems down the road, Reuters reported. Its shares fell 10 …

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Japan crisis weighs on ethanol market

Ethanol futures prices dropped to a seven-week low in Chicago as corn declined on concern that demand from Japan will wane in the wake of the country’s worst earthquake, Bloomberg reported. The average ethanol mill …

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Rockwell Collins honored for diversity

Cedar Rapids-based Rockwell Collins Inc. has been named one of DiversityInc’s 2011 Top 50 Companies for Diversity. This is the first time that the manufacturer of communication and aviation electronics has been named to the …

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Group of Seven moves to calm global markets

Financial leaders of the Group of Seven, the world’s richest countries, will hold talks on Friday on ways to calm global markets roiled by Japan’s natural disaster and nuclear plant crisis, Reuters reported. They’re concerned …

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Unemployment claims show signs of progress

Fewer Americans filed first-time claims for unemployment insurance payments last week, Bloomberg News reported, marking the third decrease in the past four weeks and indicating progress in the labor market.

The Department of Labor reported …

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Branstad to announce Iowa ties with Kosovo

Gov. Terry Branstad will hold a news conference at 4 p.m. today to announce a newly established partnership between the state of Iowa and the Republic of Kosovo. Avni Spahiu, Kosovo’s ambassador to the United …

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Human Rights Commission symposium March 23

The Des Moines Human Rights Commission will hold its 25th annual symposium on March 23 at Des Moines University’s Education Center. “Modeling the Future: Fair Housing and Human Rights” will run from 8 a.m. until …

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United Fire moves closer to completing acquisition

United Fire and Casualty Co. has received the required regulatory approvals from the California Department of Insurance, the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance and the Pennsylvania Department of Insurance relating to the Cedar …

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