Archive for June 2011
The end of light(bulbs)
Dave Hein hasn’t experienced light bulb hysteria just yet, but he knows it’s coming.
The stage was set overseas, when the European Union announced that the manufacture of general purpose incandescent light bulbs would be …
Read MoreEthanol subsidies cause rise in corn prices
U.S. ethanol subsidies may have increased corn prices by as much as 17 percent this year, according to Bruce Babcock, a professor of economics at Iowa State University.
High gasoline prices may have lifted ethanol …
Read MoreBank CEO says fee caps will force institutions to increase fees elsewhere
Establishing caps on debit card transaction fees makes about as much sense as the federal rules that require Braille instructions on all automated teller machines – even those installed at drive-ups, says Dave Nelson, chairman …
Prepaid debit cards grow in response to exemption ‘carveout’ in law
Financial institutions seeking new sources of fee income may migrate toward offering more prepaid, reloadable debit cards to their customers. The cards are exempt from financial reform legislation enacted last year that imposes a cap …
Judge places a portion of West Glen in receivership
A Polk County judge signed a foreclosure decree today on two buildings and a parking garage that opened in 2009 at West Glen Town Center.
Midwest Independent Bank of Jefferson City, Mo., filed a lawsuit …
Read MoreLatest economic indicators show negative signs
More Americans than forecast filed first-time unemployment claims last week and consumer confidence fell, Bloomberg reported.
Applications for unemployment benefits increased by 9,000 in the week ended June 18 to 429,000, according to figures released …
Read MoreDuPont gives $3 million to Botanical Center
E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. announced today a $3 million contribution to the Des Moines Botanical and Environmental Center to expand learning opportunities. The contribution, paid over three years, will help bring educational …
Read MoreReport: Manufacturing still accounts for high percentage of Iowa jobs
Manufacturing is still a key part of the Iowa economy, according to two Iowa State University researchers.
Dave Swenson and Liesl Eathington, both economics researchers with the university’s Regional Economics and Community Analysis Program, released …
Read MoreJohns to take over as East principal
The Des Moines Independent Community School District announced today that Steve Johns will be the principal at East High School.
Johns is currently vice principal and activities director at North High School. Johns started at …
Read MoreIRS standard mileage rate increases to 55.5 cents
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) today announced an increase in the optional standard mileage rate for the final six months of 2011.
The rate will increase to 55.5 cents a mile for all business miles …
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