Metro Waste Authority’s (MWA) 2008-2009 financial statements have been given an unqualified or “clean” opinion by independent auditor Denman & Co. LLP. The financial statements showed that MWA’s operating accounts revenues totaled $22.3 million for the year ended June 30, 2009, a 4.2 percent increase from the prior year. The operating accounts expenses for 2008-2009 totaled $17 million, which was a 14 percent increase from the prior year and include $15.7 million for operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization, and $1.3 million for the landfill’s closure and post-closure care costs.

Gov. Chet Culver’s re-election campaign announced last night that it has raised $2.59 million. The campaign said that total is more than any incumbent governor has had at a similar point in his re-election cycle, IowaPolitics.com reported. A report due next Tuesday to the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board is expected to show that in the past 12 months, Culver, a Democrat, received contributions from more than 1,000 donors, 85 percent of whom are Iowa residents. More than half the contributions made to his campaign were for $250 or less. Republican candidate Terry Branstad’s campaign said yesterday that it has raised more than $1.5 million from more than 3,000 contributors since its inception in mid-October through Dec. 31.

Silicon Prairie News, an Omaha-based blog focused on covering the region’s leading entrepreneurs and creative class, has relaunched its Web site to signify the grand opening of its Des Moines operation and highlight its new City Editions feature. Geoff Wood, a local resident, will coordinate the Des Moines office. “Silicon Prairie News was founded in Omaha, so a majority of its content comes out of Omaha,” Wood said in a release. “When I met the organization’s founders last summer, I was very enthused by their goal – highlight local talent online and bring those people and others together offline to build community – and I wanted Des Moines to be a part of it.” Wood will also plan events aimed at the media outlet’s core demographic. Its first event, the Creative Capital Pitch Session, is slated to take place Jan. 28. For more information, go to http://siliconprairienews.com.

Beginning Monday, H1N1 flu shots and seasonal flu shots will be available at Des Moines International Airport. From Jan. 18-29, Wesley Community Services representatives, in partnership with the Polk County Health Department, will administer the free H1NI shots in the lower level of the airport terminal from 5:30 to 7:30 a.m. and 1 to 4:30 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.