Iowa’s unemployment rate increased to 4.8 percent in January, compared with 4.4 percent in December and 3.9 percent in January 2008, according to a report released today by Iowa Workforce Development. The total number of unemployed increased to 80,600 in January, surpassing 80,000 for the first time since September 1987. In December, 73,700 Iowans were unemployed and 64,900 were unemployed in January 2008. However, Iowa still remains below the national unemployment rate, which rose to 7.6 percent in January, compared with 7.2 percent in December. This is the highest national unemployment rate since the fall of 1992, when 11.6 million people were out of work.

ING Canada Inc. is weighing a bid for the Canadian operations of Aviva plc, the National Post reported. The report said bid preparations are at a very early stage, but are gathering pace as the credit crisis puts pressure on Aviva to raise capital. Officials with ING Canada, which was recently spun off by ING Groep NV, could not be reached for comment. A spokesman with Aviva’s Canadian arm declined initial comment.

U.S. sales of fixed annuities in 2008 were an estimated $107 billion, up 60 percent from 2007, according to new data from the Beacon Research Fixed Annuity Premium Study. Fourth-quarter sales were an estimated $34.1 billion, 90 percent above those of fourth quarter 2007 and 23 percent higher than the previous quarter. MetLife Investors, which had $4.1 billion in fixed annuity sales in the fourth quarter, assumed the top spot for the first time among the 53 companies surveyed, with New York Life, Aviva USA and Aegon/Transamerica Cos. in second, third and fourth place in total sales, respectively. Aviva, with U.S. operations based in Des Moines, had total fixed annuity sales of $2.3 billion for the quarter. It remained the top seller of indexed annuities.

Joe Lenz has been appointed dean of Drake University’s College of Arts and Science, effective April 1. Lenz has served as interim dean of Drake’s largest college since Aug. 1, 2007, where he was responsible for revising the college’s promotion and tenure procedures, planning for expanded and renovated science facilities and starting the revision of the college’s five-year strategic plan. Lenz, who earned his Ph.D. in English from the University of Illinois, had served as an English professor and chair of the English department since 1992.

Des Moines-based LightEdge Solutions Inc. announced yesterday that members of Resiliency Solutions, a business continuity and resiliency planning consulting service, have joined LightEdge Consulting Services (LCS). The combination of services will allow LCS to offer customers additional insight regarding risk mitigation, continuity planning, information technology reliability and redundancy. LCS operates nationally, but will focus its efforts in Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Illinois. For more information, visit www.lightedge.com.

Principal Financial Group Inc. announced yesterday its plans to cut 60 positions in its health business, including 20 positions at its Des Moines headquarters, the Associated Press reported. Company spokeswoman Sonja Sorell said the cuts are the result of planned process improvements within the health business, which resulted in the need to realign resources. Sorell said all affected employees will receive severance packages and career assistance.

Grand View University received a $99,999 grant from Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino’s 2008 community betterment grant in December. Grand View said the funds will help fund the new Rasmussen Center for Community Advancement Professions, which opened in fall 2008. Prairie Meadows community betterment grants are given to projects in one of four categories: arts and culture, economic development, education and human services. Since 1996, Prairie Meadows has contributed more than $399 million.

EMC Insurance Group Inc. yesterday declared a quarterly dividend of 18 cents per share, payable March 26 to shareholders of record as of March 19. This is the 109th consecutive quarterly dividend since EMC became a publicly held company in February 1982.