Leadership Urbandale is accepting applications for its 2008-2009 class. The nine-month program begins Sept. 18, with classes scheduled for once a month. Classes focus on education, government, economic development, arts and culture and Character Counts in Iowa!. Participants must live in Urbandale. The cost is $275 with a limited number of scholarships available. For more information, contact Kara Waugh at (515) 294-9261.

The Principal Financial Group ranks 26th on this year’s top 100 listing of International Data Group’s (IDG) Computerworld “best places to work” in information technology. This marks the seventh consecutive year the financial service company has made the list. Principal ranked seventh on the list for the number of women on the information technology staff (44 percent), and eighth for the percentage of women information technology managers (48 percent). Computerworld gave credit to Principal for its support of flexible schedules, including compressed work weeks, part-time hours and telecommuting.

KCCI-TV, the CBS affiliate and Hearst-Argyle station in Des Moines, received an Edward R. Murrow Award for Sports Reporting. Weekend sports anchor John Meyer and photojournalist Spencer Vaughn won for their special sports feature called One Week. The award is from the Radio-Television News Directors Association.