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Statewide News

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Workers cleaning up after Iowa bird flu outbreak owed $3.3 million in back wages

Des Moines Register: Thousands of workers who cleaned and sanitized Iowa poultry facilities after bird flu killed millions of laying hens and turkeys were shorted $3.3 million in back wages and benefits, the U.S. Department of …

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Iowa launches $9 million program aimed at expanding diversity among teachers

Des Moines Register: Pressure to address teacher demographics in Iowa is mounting as the state’s student population continues to diversify. Between 2000 and 2021, the percentage of students of color in public schools statewide rose from …

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New association for lodging industry launched in Iowa

A group of Iowa hospitality owners and operators has announced the formation of the Iowa Hotel & Lodging Association, a new nonprofit trade association that will promote, educate and advocate on behalf of the state’s …

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University of Iowa instructors move courses online, despite campus rules

Cedar Rapids Gazette: With COVID cases surging in Iowa as students return to its public universities for the spring semester, the University of Iowa graduate student union is urging members to move all courses they’re teaching …

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Principal Financial nears insurance units sale to Talcott Resolution, sources say

Reuters: Principal Financial Group is in advanced talks to sell two of its units, with capital reserves totaling $25 billion, to peer Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Co., according to people familiar with the matter. The deal …

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MidAmerican Energy proposes $3.9 billion ‘Wind Prime’ renewable energy project

Corridor Business Journal: MidAmerican Energy has announced plans for a $3.9 billion renewable energy project in Iowa, including wind and solar generation, and the exploration of new technologies to advance the company’s transition to net-zero greenhouse …

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Iowa sets new one-week record for COVID cases, nearly 1,000 in hospitals

Des Moines Register: The spread of the omicron variant of COVID-19 across Iowa continued over the past week, according to data from the Iowa Department of Public Health, setting a pandemic record for new reported cases …

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Vax-or-test mandate boosts Polk County’s vaccination rate

Axios Des Moines: Vaccination rates among Polk County’s government employees increased almost 9 percentage points since its vaccine-or-test mandate began in late September, according to records requested by Axios. At least 151 more of the county’s …

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As staffing shortages continue, Waukee, Johnston increase pay for teachers, substitutes

Des Moines Register: Waukee and Johnston school districts made moves last week to attract and retain substitutes as districts across the state struggle to adequately staff schools amid the ongoing pandemic. In a bid to draw …

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University of Iowa Hospitals CEO Gunasekaran leaving to lead California health system

Cedar Rapids Gazette: University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Chief Executive Officer Suresh Gunasekaran — just three years after arriving to lead the state’s largest teaching hospital — is leaving to head the No. 9-ranked University …