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Des Moines University names new director of development and planned giving

Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences has promoted Dave Williams to the role of director of development and planned giving. In his new role, Williams will lead DMU’s planned giving efforts, working with alumni and friends of the university to explore charitable options that align with their personal and financial goals, a news release said. These…

By Business Record Staff | Sep 30, 2025

Baker Group expands operations with new Fort Dodge office

Baker Group, a construction contracting firm, announced the opening of a new regional office in Fort Dodge. The new location aims to bring Baker Group closer to its growing base of industrial clients, the company said in a news release. The local team will provide full-service support specializing in engineering, procurement and construction, self-perform craft…

By Business Record Staff | Sep 30, 2025

Des Moines board places Roberts on unpaid leave

Ian Roberts was placed on unpaid administrative leave by the Des Moines school board Monday after the district was notified that a state board had revoked Roberts’ school superintendent’s license. Roberts, 54, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents Friday. Roberts, who is being held in the Woodbury County jail, is accused of being…

By Kathy A. Bolten | Sep 30, 2025

Iowa Department of Education awarded $43 million federal grant

The Iowa Department of Education announced last week that Iowa has secured over $43 million in federal funding through a five-year competitive grant from the U.S. Department of Education to support high-quality public charter schools statewide. The grant was awarded through the federal Charter Schools Program. Iowa was one of six states to receive the…

By Business Record Staff | Sep 29, 2025

Interactive map shows August jobless rates by Iowa community

Cedar Rapids had the highest unemployment rate among Iowa’s cities in August, with 6.7% of the community’s workforce unemployed, data from Iowa Workforce Development shows. According to the data, 5,100 people in Cedar Rapids’ workforce of 76,200 were unemployed in August. Cedar Rapids’ jobless rate was 4.6% in July. Likely contributing to the increase in…

By Business Record Staff | Sep 29, 2025

FemCity Des Moines announces change in leadership

FemCity Des Moines president Erin Huiatt announced she will be stepping down from her position after six years. Abby Martinez, owner and founder of Well Balanced Business, will take over the role. Martinez has served on the FemCity Des Moines Board for the past two years. Huiatt launched the conference in 2021. “Leading FemCity Des…

By Business Record Staff | Sep 29, 2025

Kemin Industries acquires CJ Bio subsidiary CJ Youtell Biotech

Kemin Industries has acquired CJ Youtell Biotech, the enzyme and fermentation subsidiary of CJ Bio, in a move designed to strengthen its global position in enzyme innovation across industries including animal feed, food, aquaculture, textiles, paper, and biofuels. The deal gives Kemin full ownership of CJ Youtell’s fermentation plants in Shandong and Hunan, China, along…

By Business Record Staff | Sep 29, 2025

UPDATE: State revokes Ian Roberts’ superintendent’s license

The Des Moines school board is expected to vote later today to place Ian Roberts on unpaid leave after receiving notification that the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners revoked Roberts’ superintendent’s license. In a letter dated on Sunday, Roberts was notified by Michael Cavin, executive director of the educational examiners, that Roberts’ superintendent’s license “is…

By Kathy A. Bolten | Sep 29, 2025

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