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Statewide News

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Reynolds returns $95 million from federal government for COVID testing in school

Des Moines Register: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds returned $95 million in federal money for routine COVID-19 testing in schools, saying the state didn’t need the money. Reynolds said in a Fox News forum Thursday evening that …
By BPC Staff | Apr 30, 2021
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Diamond Jack’s owners must repay nearly $700,000 after pleading guilty to tax evasion

Des Moines Register: The former owners of a longtime Iowa State Fair bar are on the hook for more than half a million dollars in restitution after pleading guilty to tax evasion. Lance Benoit, 61, Tamera …
By BPC Staff | Apr 29, 2021
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Charter school bill heads to Reynolds’ desk

Iowa Capital Dispatch: State senators approved a controversial charter school bill Wednesday that would allow new institutions to open outside the purview of a school board. House File 813 would create a new pathway for charter …
By BPC Staff | Apr 29, 2021
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Casey’s to sell some Iowa, Nebraska gas stations to satisfy antitrust complaint

Des Moines Register: Casey’s General Stores agreed Wednesday to sell six of its gas stations to end antitrust allegations. The planned sale comes in response to a Federal Trade Commission complaint that the Ankeny company’s proposed …
By BPC Staff | Apr 29, 2021
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Senate approves state budget bill with $100 million for broadband expansion

The Iowa Senate voted 47-0 Wednesday evening to approve the state appropriations bill, which includes $100 million for expanding broadband infrastructure statewide. The Senate vote came hours after Gov. Kim Reynolds signed House File 848, which sets …
By BPC Staff | Apr 29, 2021
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University of Iowa hospitals will reapply to build in North Liberty

Cedar Rapids Gazette: Two months after the State Health Facilities Council denied University of Iowa Health Care a certificate to build a new $230 million “general acute hospital” in North Liberty, UIHC has notified the state …
By BPC Staff | Apr 28, 2021
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Cedar Rapids airport sees highest numbers since before COVID

Cedar Rapids Gazette: The Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids had an 18.9% increase in enplaned passengers, which counts travelers who board there, in March and an 11.4% increase in total passengers compared with March 2020. …
By BPC Staff | Apr 27, 2021
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New association formed to promote Iowa tourism

Corridor Business Journal: Iowa Travel Industry Partners (iTIP) has been launched as a new statewide public-private tourism association, officials announced in a news release. For decades, Iowa’s travel industry has been organized by regional associations, and …
By BPC Staff | Apr 26, 2021
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Midwest Growth Partners invests in two leading ag equipment dealers

Midwest Growth Partners, a food- and ag-focused private equity fund manager with offices in West Des Moines and Omaha, announced its most recent platform investment. MGP partnered with co-investors Summit Equity Group, Northcreek Mezzanine and company …
By BPC Staff | Apr 26, 2021
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Massive solar power project underway in Iowa

KCCI-TV: Iowa’s largest solar project has started delivering energy to the grid. It’s the 100-megawatt Wapello Solar Facility in Louisa County. It has 318,000 bifacial solar panels, covering 800 acres of Iowa land. Bifacial means generation …
By BPC Staff | Apr 23, 2021