Mary Herrington, assistant vice president for advancement operations at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., has been appointed CEO of Iowa Public Radio (IPR), effective Jan. 20, 2009. As CEO, Herrington will become the second executive director in the history of IPR and will oversee operations of the stations. Herrington will report to the IPR’s board of directors, which announced her appointment Dec. 5.

Dow Chemical Co. announced today that it will slash 5,000 full-time jobs – about 11 percent of its total work force – and close 20 plants, CNNMoney.com reported. The company, one of the largest chemical makers in the world, also said it plans to sell several businesses and will temporarily idle 180 plants and cut back 6,000 contractors from its payroll. Dow expects to save approximately $700 million per year by 2010.

The Chicago Tribune’s parent company Tribune Co. is working with bankruptcy advisers at investment bank Lazard Ltd. and Sidley Austin law firm to weigh financial options, the Chicago Tribune reported. Tribune Co. has been struggling with a $13 billion debt load since real estate magnate Sam Zell privatized the company last December in an $8.2 billion leveraged buyout. The company faces a Monday deadline on $70 million of unsecured debt.

The Iowa Taxpayers Association (ITA) announced today that Leonard Allen will be presented with the Linda S. Weindruch award at ITA’s annual meeting on Dec. 9. The award recognizes outstanding accomplishments and contributions in promoting and protecting fair business taxation. Allen was the state and local tax manager for Deere & Co. from 1973-1995 and was ITA chair from 1991-1993.

The Des Moines Arts Festival has been ranked fifth in the nation in AmericanStyle magazine’s fifth-annual reader’s poll of the top 10 art fairs and festivals, up from 10th place last year. A full write-up on the Des Moines Arts Festival will appear online and in the February 2009 issue of the magazine. The Festival will be held June 26 – 28, 2009 in Western Gateway Park.

Iowa insurance commissioner Susan Voss was elected vice president of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Voss has served as the assistant attorney general for the Iowa Department of Transportation, legal counsel to the state ombudsman, counsel to the Iowa Legislature in the area of taxation and economic development and tax policy attorney for the Iowa Department of Revenue and Finance.