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Open letter to readers: Today and tomorrow

By Lynda Waddington | 11.17.11

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.

ACS lockout continues; plan emerges to repeal sugar protections

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By Virginia Chamlee | 11.15.11

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.

Cain campaign: Farmers know more about regulations than EPA

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By Andrew Duffelmeyer | 11.15.11

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.

Mathis wins, Democrats maintain Senate control

Liz Mathis
By Lynda Waddington | 11.08.11

The Iowa Senate will remain under the control of a slim 26-25 Democratic majority when it reconvenes in January 2012.

Press Release

PR: Nation should work to address veterans’ challenges

By Press Release Reprints | 11.11.11

BRUCE BRALEY RELEASE — As US involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan ends, it’s more important than ever that our nation works to address the challenges faced by the men and women who fought there.

PR: Honoring veterans, help in hiring

By Press Release Reprints | 11.11.11

CHUCK GRASSLEY RELEASE — A difficult job market is challenging the soldiers, sailors and airmen who have protected America’s interests by serving in the Armed Forces.

PR: In honor of America’s veterans

By Press Release Reprints | 11.11.11

TOM LATHAM RELEASE — No one has done more to secure the freedom enjoyed by every single American than our veterans and those currently serving in the armed services.

PR: Honoring and supporting our nation’s veterans

By Press Release Reprints | 11.11.11

DAVE LOEBSACK RELEASE — Veterans Day is an opportunity to reflect on the service of generations of veterans and to honor the sacrifices they and their families have made so that we may live in peace and freedom here at home.

Author Archive

Nussle Confirmation Vote Caught in Web of Politics

By Chris Woods | 07.30.07 | 6:41 pm

Former Iowa GOP Rep. Jim Nussle faced two positive Senate panels last week considering his nomination to be director of the Office of Management and Budget.  However successful the hearings were, the vote on his nomination is still in jeopardy because of Senate negotiations with the White House over three critical fiscal year 2008 appropriations [...]

On the Political Beat with WHO-TV’s Dave Price

By Chris Woods | 07.21.07 | 10:00 am

Dave Price is a relatively new addition to the political reporting scene in Iowa.  Still, he and WHO-TV in Des Moines seem to have carved out a niche that none of the other Des Moines stations has found in a beat reporter: a TV journalist who almost exclusively covers politics. “Someone who works for local [...]

Arming of Campus Police at State Universities Up to Regents, Culver says

By Chris Woods | 07.20.07 | 12:18 pm

Lt. Gov. Patty Judge announced Thursday that the administration of Gov. Chet Culver was taking no position on whether or not campus police officers should be armed at Iowa’s three state universities. At a Statehouse press conference, a security panel set up by Culver released its findings on arming campus police officers and improving campus [...]

Iowa GOP Puts F. Thompson’s Name On Straw Poll Ballot

By Chris Woods | 07.19.07 | 10:07 pm

In what may be seen as a move to force him to declare his candidacy earlier than intended, Iowa GOP Executive Director Chuck Laudner said today that former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson’s name would be included on the August 11 Iowa Straw Poll ballot.  Kay Henderson of Radio Iowa has more here and here. Thompson’s [...]

Most of Iowans’ Donations to Obama, Edwards Less Than $200 Each

By Chris Woods | 07.18.07 | 5:43 pm

In the first six months of 2007, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama received almost 1,900 contributions from Iowans supporting his bid to win the Iowa Caucuses and become the Democratic nominee for president. The Obama campaign reported that since announcing his presidential candidacy earlier this year, Obama had received donations from 1,864 Iowans. Of those donations, [...]

Confirmation Hearing on Nussle as OMB Director Set for Next Week

By Chris Woods | 07.18.07 | 5:18 pm

Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad announced that former Rep. Jim Nussle’s confirmation hearing on his nomination to be the next director of the Office of Management and Budget would be held next Thursday, July 26. “This hearing will provide Mr. Nussle with an opportunity to address Members of the Budget Committee and answer questions [...]

State Budget Woes in 2008? It’s More Likely House Minority Leader Just Blowing Smoke

By Chris Woods | 07.17.07 | 6:36 pm

[Commentary] State House Minority Leader Christopher Rants, R-Sioux City, is worried about the state budget.  In mid-June, Rants posted on his personal site a blog entry detailing new “budget woes” that the Democratic majority could soon be facing on capitol hill.  Democrats don’t seem to be too worried. According to Rants, a recent Legislative Fiscal [...]

Harkin Wants to Stay Up Late With Senate to Debate Iraq

By Chris Woods | 07.17.07 | 10:11 am

On the floor of the U.S. Senate Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid said that Senate Republicans were “protecting the president rather than protecting our troops” by denying a vote on an amendment to the Defense Authorization Bill that would require troop redeployment in Iraq. As a result, Reid threatened that if Republicans continued to filibuster [...]

Obama Garners Two More Legislator Endorsements

By Chris Woods | 07.16.07 | 4:03 pm

Illinois Sen. Barack Obama’s campaign picked up two more endorsements today.  He received support from State Sens. Bill Heckroth and Tom Rielly. Rielly’s endorsement was made in a campaign stop last week. Heckroth hails from Waverly, and Rielly hails from Oskaloosa. Today’s endorsements mark the fourth and fifth legislator endorsements for Obama.  Heckroth and Rielly [...]

Ambassador Joe Wilson Endorses Clinton

By Chris Woods | 07.16.07 | 12:53 pm

Former Ambassador Joe Wilson endorsed New York Sen. Hillary Clinton’s  bid for the presidency today. “I’ve known Hillary for a decade and talked to her at great length about Iraq.  She is the one candidate who understands the need to get Americans out of harm’s way and end this war in a way that preserves [...]

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