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The Insider Notebook

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Iowa redistricting feature in D.C. panel

Last September, I interviewed my former Des Moines Register colleague David Yepsen for a Closer Look article after he returned to run the “Iowa Press” show on Iowa Public Television. 

Yepsen mentioned in the interview that Iowa …

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Iowa redistricting feature in D.C. panel

Last September, I interviewed my former Des Moines Register colleague David Yepsen for a Closer Look article after he returned to run the “Iowa Press” show on Iowa Public Television. 

Yepsen mentioned in the interview that Iowa …

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NOTEBOOK – One good Read: Western Iowa family setting an example for land stewardship

SFI Inc., a grain and livestock farm in western Iowa, sits on the water-quality firing line, Successful Farming reports, located as it is in the Raccoon River watershed, where several counties faced a lawsuit from …

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NOTEBOOK: Social media pros bring together Chuck Long, UI experts for ‘Iowa Wave’ panel

Crowds packed Cowles Commons on Saturday, bringing lawn chairs and grabbing a beer in front of the 40-foot big screen. Even in Des Moines, the crowd was as wired for the Cyclones-Hawkeyes game as the …

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NOTEBOOK: For retailers, it can be a circus out there

A couple of weeks ago, when it was little more than a rumor that Younkers and all of the other brands under the house of Bon-Ton would be reborn out of liquidation, retail specialist Laura …

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NOTEBOOK: Some gems still need connecting

Recently, the Business Record ran an article, “Connecting the Gems,” about many of the surprise projects that filled many gaps — and a vacant parking lot or two — in downtown Des Moines after the …

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NOTEBOOK: Simulated patients have starring roles in UnityPoint Health nurse interviews

When nurses and patient care technicians interview for positions with UnityPoint Health hospitals, they also physically demonstrate how they would handle real-world patient care situations as part of the hiring process.  

“It’s a unique …

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NOTEBOOK: Lego Mary swims with the ‘sharks’ and your business should, too

Jackie Norris, CEO of Goodwill of Central Iowa, invited me to be a “shark” judge recently for their “Shark Tank”-style company idea-generation event. The organization leveraged its staff and board members for a half-day event …

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NOTEBOOK: Iowa employers still foot majority of health premium costs

Iowa employers continue to pay higher health insurance premiums to provide that benefit to their workers, according to the latest statewide survey by David P. Lind Benchmark. And if your employer is like mine and …

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NOTEBOOK: Heard recently in the Business Record newsroom

Twice daily, Business Record Editor Suzanne Behnke hears a familiar refrain — “The Daily is ready” — from Kurt Helland, our copy editor, who reviews the contents of the Business Daily e-newsletters before sending them …