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.
More than $60 million will be given to Iowa schools for the purchase of new technology, thanks to a 2007 settlement to an anti-trust lawsuit against Microsoft Corp.
In April 2007, a Polk County judge approved a settlement where the software giant agreed to pay Iowa consumers $179.95 million. Attorneys had brought a lawsuit alleging that Microsoft overcharged Iowa consumers and businesses for certain products. As part of the settlement, Microsoft also agreed to provide half of the funds not claimed by consumers to Iowa public schools in the form of vouchers that may be used to purchase a broad range of hardware products, Microsoft and non-Microsoft software, and professional development services.
“These funds come at a critical time, not only in helping our schools improve access to the latest technology but to use that technology to implement the Iowa Core Curriculum,” Gov. Chet Culver said. “As we work to innovate and rethink our approach to education in Iowa, these funds will supplement our efforts to improve student learning.”
The lead attorneys for the plaintiffs, Roxanne Conlin and Rick Hagstrom, said in a statement that the funds “will enhance technology in our classrooms for many years to come.” The judge awarded the plaintiffs $75.5 million in attorney’s fees. After some questioned the size of the award, Conlin said her legal team — made up of more than 150 lawyers, law clerks and assistants — had invested the equivalent of $60 million in time and resources during the seven years it pursued the antitrust case.
Conlin is currently seeking the Democratic nomination for the U.S. senate.
Approximately 75 percent of Iowa schools, or more than 1,000 schools, will be eligible to take part in the program. The funds will be distributed to schools through vouchers for software and hardware product purchases.
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