Caucus Complaint

5/15/2012 filed by Joyce Russell

A Republican party committee is studying problems with this year’s Iowa caucuses.  The count on caucus night gave the victory to Mitt Romney, though some votes turned up missing.    Official  results  put Rick Santorum ahead, but a  party chairman  equivocated on declaring a winner.    At  a meeting  in Des Moines the committee heard another complaint.   Some  say the future of the caucuses is at stake.     

Ron Paul to Make Delegate Push

5/15/2012 filed by Sarah McCammon

The campaign announced Monday that it will no longer campaign for primary votes, but instead will work for delegates at state conventions, including Iowa's in June.

What's next for BPI?

5/14/2012 filed by Pat Blank

Last year at this time, employees of Beef Products Incorporated in Sioux City were bracing for a major flood on the Missouri River, now they’re battling a manmade disaster, one from which they may never recover. Iowa Public Radio’s Pat Blank reports

Lead Shot Ban

5/11/2012 filed by Joyce Russell

Some hunters looking forward to the  upcoming season for mourning doves are applauding  action by Governor Branstad.     By executive order, the governor  overturned the Natural Resource Commission’s ban on lead shot.   That put him at odds with majority Democrats in the Iowa Senate.          

Legislature Adjourns

5/10/2012 filed by Joyce Russell

Several weeks behind schedule, the Iowa General Assembly brought its 2012 legislative session to a close with promises to return next year to complete their unfinished business.   Lawmakers say they helped put unemployed Iowans back to work.   But the Republicans signature job creation effort…tax cuts for business and industry….failed in spite of eleventh hour talks at the capitol.

Obama, same-sex marriage, and Iowa voters

5/10/2012 filed by Kate Wells

Republicans are hoping President Obama's same-sex marriage stance will hurt him come November - especially in critical swing-states like Iowa. Iowa Public Radio's Kate Wells has the story. 

UNI Moves Forward

5/10/2012 filed by Pat Blank

Thanks to legislative action this week, the University of Northern Iowa will see more than six million dollars in increased funding next year, but as Iowa Public Radio’s Pat Blank reports the extra money won’t reverse deep cuts made in March.

Tax Bill Defeat

5/09/2012 filed by Joyce Russell

It was another day of partisan debate at the statehouse.  Democrats and Republicans fought over competing plans for tax cuts for business and industry both sides say are needed to boost job creation.   But a bill Senate Democrats called a compromise went down to defeat in the Senate.   And Governor Branstad threatened  to take the issue to voters in the fall.   

How to not live in your mom's basement after graduation

5/08/2012 filed by Kate Wells

With all the gloomy news about job prospects these days, seniors can feel like their diploma is a one-way ticket to mom’s basement. But as Iowa Public Radio’s Kate Wells reports, there ARE young adults who’ve landed on their feet – and learned how to make it in this tough economy. 

Property Tax Debate

5/08/2012 filed by Joyce Russell

It was another day of partisan debate at the statehouse.  Advocates with  competing plans for tax cuts for business and industry appear to be dug in on their positions.  That’s throwing into question whether the legislature will meet its goal of lowering commercial property taxes to attract more jobs to the state.    

Legislative Preview 5/7/12

5/07/2012 filed by Sarah McCammon

IPR Statehouse Correspondent Joyce Russell joins Sarah McCammon for a look at what's happening in the Iowa Legislature, as lawmakers begin their third week of overtime.

Fixing Farmland along the Missouri River

5/04/2012 filed by Rick Fredericksen

Last fall, officials predicted that farmland along the Missouri River might be out of production for at least a year. The flood of 2011 piled up sand dunes, gouged out deep holes and killed off many of the microbes that help crops grow. But now it’s spring, and farmers are back on the land trying to fix what nature broke. In conjunction with Harvest Public Media, Iowa Public Radio’s Rick Fredericksen discovered a most unusual planting season down by the river.

http://harvestpublicmedia.org

Omega Psi Phi Blood Drive

5/04/2012 filed by Pat Blank

Although the color of our blood is the same, the color of our skin may determine the type of blood needed for a transfusion. That’s why a Waterloo fraternity, whose members are predominantly African American, is holding a blood drive today. Iowa Public Radio’s Pat Blank reports..

Early Planting of Lots of Acres Could Mean Record Corn Crop

5/03/2012 filed by Sarah McCammon

Across the Corn Belt, farmers are hoping this fall’s harvest could be one for the record books. With planting season already off to a roaring start, farmers say they’re putting in more acres of corn than they have since the Great Depression.

Handgun Violence Spreading in Cedar Rapids

5/03/2012 filed by Kate Wells

Gun violence in Cedar Rapids is at an all-time high.
Police say they’re not sure what’s behind the massive spike.
And the violence is spreading to parts of town once considered safe.