Grant Friesth has been named manager of Wells Fargo & Co.’s regional commercial banking office in Iowa, succeeding Tim Billerbeck, who recently was named head of Wells Fargo commercial banking’s central division. Friesth has 20 years of experience with Wells Fargo and its predecessor, Norwest Bank. He most recently served as regional team leader and loan team leader, overseeing credit underwriting and administration for Wells Fargo’s commercial banking office’s Iowa loan portfolio.

The Iowa Department of Economic Development still has 40 internship grants available through the Iowa Student Internship Program. The program links college students from Iowa schools with internship opportunities at small and medium-sized businesses. Applications are being accepted until May 1 or until funds run out. Apply at www.iowalifechanging.com/business/ic/internship_program.html.

Twenty-three communities received more than $20 million in awards through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, Gov. Chet Culver announced yesterday. Among the recipients, Des Moines received more than $3.9 million, West Des Moines received $264,000 and Perry received $708,604. The program provides emergency assistance for redevelopment of abandoned or foreclosed homes as part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008.

Iowa State University will host its annual Emerging Technologies Conference Thursday and Friday at Howe Hall on the university’s campus in Ames. The conference will feature speakers, demonstrations, technical presentations, networking and more. Register at www.vrac.iastate.edu/ETCCFP/register/.

The Sun-Times Media Group Inc., publisher of the Chicago Sun-Times and several suburban newspapers, has filed for bankruptcy, making it the fifth newspaper publisher nationwide and the second in Chicago to seek protection from creditors in recent months, Bloomberg reported. The company said it will continue to run its newspapers and online sites while it tries to stabilize operations. It expects the process to be completed by the end of the year.