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 Associated Press is reporting this morning that Gov. Chet Culver won’t call a special legislative session to deal with flood recovery efforts.
The story quotes two anonymous legislative sources. Culver is holding a press conference this afternoon to discuss flood relief efforts, though it is still unknown if he will make his decision public today.
The decision came after federal officials agreed to pay for 90 percent of the costs of some flood recovery projects — up from the traditional 75 percent — and as Culver pushed for the release on an $85 million package of money from the Department of House and Urban Development.
Many had worried about calling a special session so close to an election, fearing political infighting could break out. House Minority Leader Christopher Rants, R-Sioux City, released a statement calling the decision a disappointment.
“In my opinion, this decision is a bad one,” he said. “Instead of worrying about upcoming elections, the governor needs to focus on the local officials and people begging for action and leadership.”
Culver is expected to speak today at noon.
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