The number of Americans filing for initial unemployment insurance fell less than expected by economists to 470,000 claims for the week ended Jan. 23, down 8,000 from a revised 478,000 the previous week, CNNMoney.com reported. Economists surveyed by Briefing.com had expected new claims to fall to 450,000. Read more.

Cartus Corp., a relocation services subsidiary of Realogy Corp., the parent company of Coldwell Banker, has acquired Primacy Relocation. Memphis-based Primacy is a prominent relocation and global assignment management company with 700 employees and 25 offices worldwide. Read more.

The state of Iowa has developed a new Web site to help Iowa broadband service providers join with institutions, organizations and individuals across the state when applying for funds available for high-speed broadband service, the Iowa Utilities Board announced today. The board feels that the Web site will be a meeting point to find broadband project ideas and partners, find complementary resources, combine expertise and create stronger proposals to apply for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding. Click here to view the Web site.

The Greater Des Moines Noon Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association is funding a special scholarship through the Stephen Bufton Memorial Education fund in the amount of $2,000. To learn about the requirements or for more information, go to www.abwanoondsm.com

IowaPolitics.com reported that Iowa Board of Regents President David Miles said the board was very pleased to learn of the restoration of $31 million in general education funding for Iowa’s public universities in the governor’s budget for the current fiscal year, and again for Fiscal year 2011. Miles said the regents are moving ahead to operate as cost-effectively as possible, and will implement cost-saving measures as part of the government efficiency and reorganization effort.