Waukee-based Monarch Holdings Inc. and its operating affiliates, including Monarch Manufacturing Co., have filed for bankruptcy. The action is a result of high costs associated with lawsuits it assumed when it took over Hurd Millwork Co. The company has shut down its American Weather-Seal Co. in Ohio and is going through a restructuring process that it expects will increase its stability in the long run. LaSalle Bank N.A. has committed to providing Monarch access to its operating cash and provide necessary liquidity during the Chapter 11 restructuring process. The basement window and area wall products manufacturer plans to continue normal operations.

The quantity of gasoline sold at Casey’s General Stores Inc. stations open at least a year decreased 1.2 percent in August, compared with August 2007, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing yesterday. The gasoline sales margin was above the company’s goal of 10.8 cents per gallon, with an average retail price per gallon of $3.57 in August. Same-store sales of grocery and other merchandise rose 7.4 percent and prepared food and fountain sales rose 12.1 percent.

Gannett Co. Inc. is opening a chain of USA Today retail stores, called USA TODAY Travel Zone, which will debut Wednesday with three locations at the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, the Washington Business Journal reported. Two stores in the Indianapolis International Airport and one in LaGuardia Airport are expected to open this fall as well. The stores are the latest effort to expand the USA Today brand after launching a series of games for mobile devices, a calendar and more than 20 books this year. The news comes after Gannett announced that publishing advertising revenues dropped 17 percent in August, compared with the year-ago period. Classified ad revenue continues to be a problem area, with real estate ad revenues down nearly 41 percent and employment ad revenues dropping about 34 percent.

A new research paper from Principal Funds, a subsidiary of Principal Financial Group Inc., reveals how the dramatic decrease in housing values – a decline of approximately $400 billion between 2007 and mid-2008 – has significantly altered the retirement plans of many Americans. “The Impact of Diminishing Wealth on Future Consumption: How Housing Wealth Affects Retirement Planning” is designed for financial professionals to help with retirement planning. Click here for the complete report.

The deadline for applying for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) has been extended to Oct. 15, giving farmers additional time to assess their crop situation. Seventy-eight Iowa counties have been declared eligible for DUA. These federal benefits are given to people who lost their job due to severe storms, tornadoes or flooding that happened between May 25 and Aug. 13. The benefits also cover self-employed workers not usually entitled to unemployment insurance such as farmers. People need to have proof of past earnings and their most recent tax form at the time they file their claim. Any Iowa Workforce Development Center can accept DUA claims or people can apply at www.iowaworkforce.org.

Winefest Des Moines’ annual “Vino in the Village” will take place in the East Village on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event offers a wide range of free activities, including cheese tasting and a wine seminar. For more information, go to www.winefestdesmoines.com.

The annual Iowa Credit Union Convention will take place at the Grand River Center in Dubuque Sept. 17-19. More than 500 credit union leaders and vendors are expected to attend this year’s conference, which will focus on advancing credit union growth and vitality. The event includes a golf outing and 15 education sessions. For more information, go to www.iowacreditunions.com.