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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

Senate Approves Comprehensive Smoking Ban

By Jay Wagner | 02.27.08 | 3:36 pm

The Iowa Senate passed sweeping legislation by a 29-21 vote Wednesday evening that will ban smoking in bars and restaurants, outdoor sports arenas, casinos, veterans’ clubs and the state Veterans’ Home in Marshalltown. The bill, which is stricter than legislation passed in the House last week, was approved mostly along party lines with most of [...]

State GOP Names Two Veterans To Leadership Team

By Jay Wagner | 02.27.08 | 3:03 pm

Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Stewart Iverson, this week, announced the appointment of two campaign veterans to key posts within the party. Joining the RPI are Caleb Hunter, who will run the day-to-day operations of the party as executive director, and Tim Albrecht, who will serve as communications director. Hunter replaces former executive director Chuck [...]

Former Des Moines Restaurateur Wins Senate Seat in Thailand

By Jay Wagner | 02.25.08 | 8:13 pm

Prasong Nurack, whose Thai restaurants in Des Moines and Iowa City were gathering places for politicians and presidential candidates for nearly 25 years, was appointed by a special commission last week to serve as a senator in his Southeast Asia homeland. “It is a great honor, and we have much work to do,” said Nurack, [...]

Republicans, Fallon Call for Landowner Protection Legislation

By Jay Wagner | 02.25.08 | 2:56 pm

Statehouse Republicans joined Democrat Ed Fallon Monday to endorse a legislative package aimed at protecting the property rights of Iowans. The seven pieces of legislation would close loopholes that allow local governments to condemn property owned by private individuals and turn it over to developers. The package of bills was unveiled at a press conference [...]

Smoke ‘Em If You Got ‘Em: Cigarette Ban Passed by House

By Jay Wagner | 02.20.08 | 1:32 am

Legislation that would ban smoking in most public places across the state was passed by a wide margin in the Iowa House on Tuesday evening after a nearly five-hour debate. The bill now awaits debate in the Senate, where its fate is uncertain. Gov. Chet Culver had said he would sign the statewide ban if [...]

Culver Calls On Lawmakers To Improve Access To Health Care

By Jay Wagner | 02.18.08 | 7:55 pm

Gov. Chet Culver called on the legislature Monday to approve a series of health care initiatives that will improve access to health care while lowering costs to Iowans. “We must expand access to health care, lower health care costs and work toward the goal of giving all Iowans access to the same quality health care [...]

Some Farms Could Be Included In Statewide Smoking Ban

By Jay Wagner | 02.15.08 | 1:22 am

Farmers whose operations are incorporated would be banned from using cigarettes on their own property under a provision of the proposed smoking ban, according to an analysis of the bill prepared by the non-partisan Legislative Services Agency. House Minority Leader Christopher Rants, R-Sioux City, promised Thursday that his party will attempt to win an exemption [...]

Culver Bottle Bill Proposal Iced by Democratic Leaders in Legislature

By Jay Wagner | 02.14.08 | 2:58 pm

An expansion of the bottle-deposit law, a keystone of Gov. Chet Culver’s Condition of the State address earlier this year, was declared dead Thursday by Democratic leaders in the state legislature, who said the bill was unlikely to pass — or even to reach the floor for debate. “When it was all said and done, [...]

78 Entities Request Money From New Iowa Power Fund

By Jay Wagner | 02.14.08 | 12:36 am

Iowa is on the cusp of becoming the “Silicon Valley of the Midwest,” and interest in developing businesses related to renewable fuels is high, Iowa Gov. Chet Culver said Wednesday. “We’ve made a good name for ourselves across the nation and around the world in terms of being very serious about job creation and leading [...]

Culver Signs First Major Legislation Of New Session Today

By Jay Wagner | 02.11.08 | 11:45 pm

Iowa Gov. Chet Culver will hold a public ceremony on Tuesday to sign the new allowable growth bill, the first major legislation passed by the legislature this session. The ceremony will be held in Culver’s formal office at the statehouse at 3:30 p.m. Lawmakers voted last week to increase the amount of state aid to [...]

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