Wednesday was a difficult day for The American Independent News Network, which is the larger entity that operates The Iowa Independent. Our chief executive and founder announced two of our sister sites would close and their content would be moved to The American Independent.
A recently introduced bill could have far-reaching impact on the U.S. sugar industry, including American Crystal Sugar, a farmer-owned cooperative that locked out 1,300 Midwest workers on Aug. 1.
The chairman for Herman Cain’s Iowa effort says the campaign “relied more on the word of farmers than Washington regulators” in deciding to run an ad containing claims the Environmental Protection Agency says are false.
The Iowa Senate will remain under the control of a slim 26-25 Democratic majority when it reconvenes in January 2012.
A vintage 1950s purse refashioned by Carroll artist Laura Comito recently found its way into Hillary Clinton’s hands and then fetched $625 at a “power” auction.
With Clinton, a Democratic presidential candidate and former First Lady, in Iowa, staff members recently went to an art gallery in Des Moines’ Valley Junction, The Lagniappe, to select a purse for political auction.
“She wanted the aide to purchase a purse that was made by an Iowa artist,” Comito said. “The Lagniappe called me and asked if I had any cool purses made. I told them I had this vintage handbag with a gold lame handle that I covered in leopard print and embellished with vintage millinery trim and rhinestone buttons. They said that’s the perfect purse for Hillary.”
The United Way of Johnson County called Comito later and asked for information on the purse.
As it turns out, Clinton autographed the purse on the inside and then donated it to the United Way of Johnson County’s “Power of the Purse” auction, where it raised $625.
For her part, Comito, part of a long line of Carroll County Democrats, is undecided in the presidential race.
“They (Democratic candidates) all have a lot of good things,” Comito said. “There is a heck of a lot of time still.”
That said, Comito said she actually is torn between former U.S. Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., and U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.
“On the other hand, I would like to see a woman in the White House,” Comito said.
At her Artworks Studio in downtown Carroll, Comito does a variety of creative work, including jewelry and wall sculptures. But she has a love of purses, old ones that she treasures hunts out of places like the New Hope Village Store, the spot from which the Hillary purse emerged.
“I am a big recycler,” Comito said. “A lot of my artwork reflects that.”
Comito has refashioned some 200 purses and has plans to do many more.
But she says there it will be hard to top the Hillary purse.
“She held my purse and it had its 15 minutes of fame,” Comito said.
Do you know where to vote on Election Day? Do you know what to bring with you? Get comprehensive voter information for your state here.
Sign up for our email newsletter