Farmers asked for fertilizer insights

U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden was in Iowa Friday, asking farmers from across the country to share their experiences dealing with consolidation and pricing issues in the fertilizer industry.

Vaden, who previously served as a judge on the U.S. Court of International Trade and as USDA’s general counsel, said the individual stories from farmers will help as the U.S. Federal Trade Commission investigates the industry for potential unfair pricing or anti-competitive practices.

Powerful U.S. officials past and present faced families, survivors and first responders Friday at ceremonies to honor the 25th anniversary of the day 2,977 Americans died in terrorist attacks in Virginia, New York and Pennsylvania.

Speakers at all three Sept. 11 milestone anniversary events recounted stories of courage and loss as people found themselves in an unimaginable circumstance. 

Clean Energy group calls for more public scrutiny of data center energy costs

A clean energy group is calling on the Iowa Utilities Commission and policymakers to ensure utility companies don’t use data center energy demands to build new facilities and pass the costs on to ratepayers. 

One of Iowa’s state universities sees enrollment increase in fall semester

Iowa’s public universities have welcomed thousands of students back to campus this fall, with each institution touting either increased interest, enrollment or retention.

Josh Turek calls for lifting income cap on Social Security to sustain program

Social Security advocates joined Rep. Josh Turek Wednesday to speak with older adults about the U.S. Senate candidate’s commitments to preserving and expanding government systems that many Americans rely on for medical expenses and income.

AG candidate Nate Willems calls for greater accountability of Iowa polluters

Democratic candidate for Iowa attorney general Nate Willems said Wednesday that “bullying does not work” on him and he won’t be pulling ads targeting current Attorney General Brenna Bird in relation to an Iowa pollution case. 

US Department of Energy awards up to $1.9B loan for nuclear plant restart

The U.S. Department of Energy has closed on a loan of up to $1.9 billion to support the restart of Iowa’s only nuclear energy station, Duane Arnold Energy Center. 

NASA leaders urge Iowa State University students to join lunar base program

State and federal officials connected to U.S. space exploration detailed plans of eventual moon habitation Tuesday to a room packed to the brim with Iowa State University students, hoping to entice their interest in using their education to aid in the newest space race.

Decades of August roadside surveys in Iowa show wildlife and habitat changes

Every August, for over half a century, Iowa Department of Natural Resource staff have set out along gravel roads at dawn, armed with a set of binoculars and, now, an interactive logging application, to survey the landscape for pheasants and other wildlife. 

Dordt University launches generative AI pilot program for tools access, community conversations

Dordt University students, faculty and staff this fall began participation in an artificial intelligence pilot program aimed at providing campuswide access to high-quality tools and together explore how AI can be used responsibly inside and outside of the classroom.

Iowa labor experts speak on UnityPoint unionization efforts, worker challenges

As the United States honors the efforts of its labor movement and workers this Labor Day Weekend, Iowa labor experts say workers are “making the labor movement every day,” amidst weaker bargaining laws, attacks from corporations and other challenges everyone is facing, whether they hold a union card or not.

Labor unions are growing, but where depends on state politics

Labor union membership continues to climb in the United States, though the increase remains sharply divided by the politics of individual states, Stateline reports.

Des Moines man alleges excessive force by city police officers

A Des Moines man is accusing city police in a lawsuit of excessive force, claiming the officers who allegedly assaulted him were later captured on video laughing about how they “really worked him over.”

Eric Lee Kelley, 39, is suing the City of Des Moines and four police officers in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa.

Rural Iowa pharmacy owner tells Josh Turek federal action needed to stay open 

Brad Magg, who owns Spring City Pharmacy in Colfax, told U.S. Senate candidate Josh Turek Friday that his business loses money on every prescription because insurance companies pay less than it costs to buy the drugs.

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