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.
[Commentary] There’s something disingenuous about the cigarette conversations taking place in Des Moines. On one hand, Iowa residents are being told that the statewide ban currently under consideration — recently passed through the Iowa House of Representatives — is in direct response to public health concerns. On the other hand, we’re learning that the word “ban,” much like the word “sex,” has several different levels of meaning.
The proposed statewide ban isn’t really a ban at all. It will effectively remove tobacco use from most public spaces — except casinos. The “ban” also allows for cigarettes to be smoked at private clubs such as local veterans’ halls. People can still smoke in their cars, in their homes and on private property. In an effort I’m sure was designed to keep the Democrats boosting this “ban” from looking like over-protective *insert ethnic or religious modifier here* mommies, those in control have decided to deal only with the public health hazard and not the private — again, except for casinos.
Frankly it’s disappointing in a wide variety of ways.
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