Federal Reserve stands pat

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke today stopped short of signaling further action to boost the U.S. recovery, Reuters reported, but he said reducing unemployment is critical for the economy’s health.

Bernanke’s speech at an annual …

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Consumers remain gloomy

The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index edged up from its mid-August level but was still consistent with recession-era lows, CNBC reported today.

The final August reading on the overall index of consumer sentiment …

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Hefty deposits posing problems

U.S. regulators have asked some banks to take more deposits from large investors even if it’s unprofitable, and lenders in return are seeking relief on insurance premiums and leverage ratios, Bloomberg reported.
 
Deposits are …

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HHS doles out $137 million

The Department of Health and Human Services today awarded $137 million, partly supported by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, to states to strengthen the public health infrastructure and provide jobs in core areas …

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Hazardous waste disposal Saturday

Metro Waste Authority’s “Clean Up Crew” will hold a household hazardous waste clean-up event in Windsor Heights on Saturday.

Residents from the entire Metro Waste Authority service area can take lead and oil-based paints, chemicals …

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Export conference set for October

The Greater Des Moines Partnership is collaborating with the Iowa Innovation Gateway, the Iowa Department of Economic Development and other regional organizations on the “Go Global:  Innovations in Exporting Conference” scheduled for Oct. 28.

The …

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Insurance companies brace for Irene

Shares of insurance companies Allstate, MetLife and the Travelers Companies Inc. fell 3 percent Thursday, CNNMoney reported, as Hurricane Irene headed for a long swath of coastline from North Carolina to New York.

The storm …

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FBL declares dividend

West Des Moines-based FBL Financial Group Inc. on Thursday announced that its board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of 6.25 cents per share to owners of Class A and Class B common stock. …

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Companies partner on mobile app

Johnston-based DeskActive Inc. and West Des Moines-based Kosama announced a strategic partnership to develop a mobile app that will extend Kosama’s eight-week workout program with push messaging and coaching through animated avatars.

The companies said …

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