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Statewide News

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Lawmakers say Iowa schools must give students in-person option

Cedar Rapids Gazette: Legislation requiring K-12 school districts to offer all students a 100% in-person learning option gained final approval Thursday from Republican majorities in the Iowa Capitol, sending the measure to a governor who said …
By BPC Staff | Jan 29, 2021
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Little change in weekly unemployment claims filed in Iowa

The number of Iowans who filed unemployment claims in the week that ended on Saturday changed little from the previous week, data released today by Iowa Workforce Development shows.

Overall, 52,664 people filed unemployment claims …
By KATHY A. BOLTEN | Jan 28, 2021
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Republican Adrian Dickey wins Miller-Meeks’ seat in the Iowa Senate

Des Moines Register: A Republican from Packwood won Tuesday’s special election to fill a vacant state senate seat in southeast Iowa. Adrian Dickey will represent Senate District 41, filling a vacancy left by U.S. Rep. Mariannette …
By BPC Staff | Jan 27, 2021
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Iowa Renewable Fuels Association calls on Iowa lawmakers to increase investment in biofuels infrastructure

Monte Shaw, the executive director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, called on the Legislature to increase funding for the state’s biofuel industry, saying the industry just went through a “triple whammy” of Renewable Fuel …
By BPC Staff | Jan 27, 2021
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Iowa’s unemployment rate drops to 3.1% in December

Cedar Rapids Gazette: Iowa’s unemployment rate decreased from 3.8% to 3.1% in December 2020, Iowa Workforce Development said today. It’s Iowa’s lowest unemployment rate since February, but it still is above the 2.8% rate from 12 …
By BPC Staff | Jan 26, 2021
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Raygun owner Draper joins in small business support for national $15 minimum wage

A prominent Des Moines small business owner is siding with federal minimum wage advocates who say that “raising wages is good business.” Mike Draper, owner of Raygun LLC, a popular clothing, home goods and printing …
By BPC Staff | Jan 26, 2021
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Sammons Financial Group acquires Beacon Capital Management

Sammons Financial Group, based in West Des Moines, announced it is expanding into the growing investment adviser marketplace with the acquisition of Beacon Capital Management, a registered investment advisory firm based in Dayton, Ohio. Financial terms of the …
By BUSINESS RECORD STAFF | Jan 25, 2021
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Clear Lake’s Surf Ballroom named National Historic Landmark

The Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, where Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. “the Big Bopper” Richardson gave their last performances before the “day the music died,” has joined the nation’s official list of some …
By BPC Staff | Jan 25, 2021
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Stronger farmland prices boost Iowa’s rural economy in January

Iowa’s rural economy improved slightly in January behind stronger prices for farmland, according to a survey of rural Main Street bankers released Thursday.

According to Creighton University’s Rural Mainstreet Index, the index for Iowa rose in …
By MICHAEL CRUMB | Jan 22, 2021
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Former Make-A-Wish Iowa CEO charged with embezzling funds

Associated Press: The former CEO of Make-A-Wish Iowa has been arrested on three felony charges alleging she embezzled tens of thousands of dollars from the charity that supports sick children, the group confirmed today. Jennifer Woodley, …
By BPC Staff | Jan 22, 2021
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