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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

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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.

Economy/Finance

Michele Bachmann campaigns in Jacksonville Beach, Fla. (Photo: Virginia Chamlee/The Florida Independent)

Bachmann: Socialism, unions to blame for Michigan’s economy

By Andrew Duffelmeyer | 11.10.11 | 1:25 pm

Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann says Michigan’s economic woes are rooted in socialist policies, and she blames labor unions, taxes and regulations for the tough economic climate in the state.

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Census Bureau measure shows more poverty

By Marcos Restrepo | 11.09.11 | 4:06 pm

A new measure released this week by the U.S. Census Bureau that takes cost-of-living into account shows an additional 2.5 million Americans are living in poverty.

Photo: Flickr Creative Commons by jcolman

Traders putting stock in Republican Congress

By Andrew Duffelmeyer | 11.09.11 | 9:50 am

Traders on the Iowa Electronic Markets seem convinced Republicans will retain control of the U.S. House in 2012 and gain control of the U.S. Senate.

(Photo: William Dahlsten/Linn County GOP)

Newt Gingrich’s stock is up, literally

By Andrew Duffelmeyer | 11.09.11 | 8:50 am

GOP presidential candidate and former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich’s stock is up on the Iowa Electronic Markets, a real money futures market operated by the University of Iowa’s Tippie College of Business.

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DCCC targeting Steve King with radio ads

By Andrew Duffelmeyer | 11.09.11 | 7:30 am

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is targeting U.S. Rep. Steve King with a radio ad campaign that began airing in Iowa’s newly-drawn 4th Congressional District on Nov. 7.

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Super PAC backing Perry makes Iowa ad buys

By Andrew Duffelmeyer | 11.08.11 | 5:30 pm

A super-PAC backing GOP presidential candidate and Texas Gov. Rick Perry has begun buying ads in the Des Moines TV market, while Perry himself is continuing a media blitz in the Hawkeye State that began in late October.

(Photo: Douglas Burns/Carroll Daily Times Herald)

Paul still leading TV ad buys in Iowa

By Andrew Duffelmeyer | 11.08.11 | 4:00 pm

Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul continues to buy ads in the Des Moines television market, with spots scheduled to run through Nov. 13 at the local CBS affiliate.

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Medicare ads featuring Latham hit Des Moines airwaves

By Andrew Duffelmeyer | 11.08.11 | 3:32 pm

The battle over Medicare has hit the airways in Iowa, as a group dedicated to fighting cuts to the popular government program has begun buying TV ads in Des Moines.

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King praises Ryan plan at Cain-Gingrich debate

By Andrew Duffelmeyer | 11.08.11 | 12:41 pm

Steve King used a nationally-televised debate to praise a federal budget plan from Wisconsin’s Paul Ryan, saying the country is “up against a very big problem” when it comes to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

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Audio: Phones are ringing in Senate District 18

By Lynda Waddington | 11.08.11 | 12:11 pm

Voters may be heading to the polls in Senate District 18, but their phones have been hard at work for days. Here’s a sample of what’s been said on robocalls to district households.

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