Jonathan Narcisse kicks off a four-day tour of the state today after announcing that he’ll challenge Gov. Chet Culver in the Democratic primary for governor, IowaPolitics.com reported. He is the first candidate to challenge a sitting governor in a primary since 1994. Narcisse, 46, is a former Des Moines school board member who has been a vocal critic of Iowa’s education system. He is editor of the Iowa Bystander and publisher of El Comunicador and Iowa Fronteras. To get on the ballot for the June 8 primary, Narcisse will have to collect at least 4,145 signatures from at least 10 counties, including at least 1 percent of the 2008 Democratic votes for president in each of those counties. Narcisse said if he doesn’t win the primary, he plans to run as an independent in the general election. His candidacy is considered a long shot; if elected, he would be Iowa’s first African-American governor.

GuideOne Mutual Insurance Co. reported 2009 income today of $44.6 million, up from $21.5 million in 2008. The insurer of churches, senior living communities, schools, colleges, autos and homes reported a return on equity of 10.4 percent and posted a combined ratio of 96.6 percent, an improvement from 101.8 percent in the previous year. The West Des Moines-based company has had a combined ratio below 100 percent in six of the past seven years. GuideOne said in a news release that it experienced more normal levels of large property fire and weather losses in 2009 and had favorable development on prior year claim reserves.

The U.S. Commerce Department said today that personal spending rose 0.5 percent in January after a 0.3 percent gain the prior month. Incomes increased 0.1 percent, the weakest showing in four months, The Washington Post reported. Consumer spending is closely watched because it accounts for 70 percent of total economic activity.

Manufacturing activity stepped up in February for the seventh consecutive month, the Institute for Supply Management said today. Factories boosted production to replenish depleted inventories and invested in new equipment last year as global demand picked up, Bloomberg reported.

The Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute (GDMLI) will have a reception for students and alumni from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Embassy Club, 801 Grand Ave. The event also will provide information about applying for the 2010-2011 class of the Community Leadership Program (CLP), a nine-month program that introduces members to the community and includes current issues, community highlights and history. The event is free, but because of limited space replies should be made by Wednesday to Rebecca Batcheller at rbatcheller@gdmli.com or 286-4980.

British insurance company Prudential said today it will buy American International Group Inc.’s (AIG) life insurance business in Asia in a deal valued at $35.5 billion, The New York Times reported. The sale of American International Assurance would allow AIG to make the biggest repayment yet toward the more than $180 billion it received as part of a U.S. government bailout.

Jack Payne, vice president for extension and outreach at Iowa State University since 2006, has accepted a position at the University of Florida, Gainesville. His last day at Iowa State will be May 31. Gerald “Jerry” Miller, longtime faculty member and administrator at Iowa State, has been appointed interim vice president for extension and outreach, effective June 1.