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.
The eastern Nebraska city of Fremont will vote Monday on a strict new immigration law that would ban hiring or renting property to immigrants in the country illegally.
The Associated Press reports that the city of 25,000 will hold the vote after a two-year fight sparked by an influx of Hispanic immigrants in the community attracted by jobs at local meatpacking plants.
From the AP:
Clint Walraven, who has lived in Fremont all his 51 years, said the jobs should go to legal residents who are unemployed,something he believes the ordinance would help fix. Discussions on the issue can get heated, he said, particularly if racism is mentioned.
“It has nothing to do with being racist,” he said. “We all have to play by the same rules. … If you want to stay here, get legal.”
Around 165 Hispanics lived in Fremont in 1990. That number has risen to 2,060 last year. In May, Fremont had a 4.9 percent unemployment rate, about the same as the statewide rate.
The ordinance would require all employers within city limits to use the federal E-Verify system when hiring new employees. Those who wish to rent an apartment or home would have to get a license from the city, and city officials will have to verify they are in the country legally.
The local newspaper, the Fremont Tribune, reports Monday that Dodge County Clerk Fred Mytty is predicting 50 percent turnout in Monday’s special election. If the ordinance passes, The American Civil Liberties Union has already promised to challenge it in court.
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