Apologies for a knee-jerk reaction

With the election behind us and a strong shift in dynamics at the Congressional level, I thought it might be a chance to take a breath. It really was a fascinating, albeit exhausting, mid-term election cycle. At the outset, and I’ve been thinking about this for the past five days,...

Lee County officials hear from residents on proposed steel mill project

FORT MADISON — Kelly Jameson has lived in the Green Bay Bottoms all her life. As a third generation resident, raising the fourth, she’s passionate about her community. And, she’s passionately against a proposed steel mill that is planned for the area. If Mesabi Metallics builds the largest steel mill in the United States just three miles from her house, she said, it defeats the whole reason she has stayed in her hometown. “This is currently a nice, rural community … when the reason we choose to live here is gone, why would we stay?” she asked at a public information meeting held in Fort Madison Wednesday evening. Lee County supervisors and officials from Mesabi Metallics held an informational meeting at the Quality Inn & Suites in Fort Madison, allowing area residents and business leaders to express their views on the potential for a steel mill. Roughly 200 people packed the hotel conference room, leaving standing room only. Jameson was one of about two dozen speakers Wednesday night, although her dissenting comments were in the minority. City administrators, economic development workers, supervisors and mayors of neighboring communities spoke in favor of the project and the opportunities it would bring. Local

Revenge of the White Working Class

But what happens next?

Proposed $15 billion steel project draws questions from Lee County residents

LEE COUNTY, Iowa. - A proposed $15 billion steel manufacturing complex in Lee County is drawing attention across southeast Iowa, as residents seek answers about its potential impact on the community. Mesabi Metallics says the facility would process iron ore from Minnesota into finished steel products. Company officials say the...

The Fort Madison City Council was supposed to host a public hearing this past Monday night on a draft ordinance aimed at regulating data centers and other industrial and business structures within city limits

The Fort Madison City Council was supposed to host a public hearing this past Monday night on a draft ordinance aimed at regulating data centers and other industrial and business structures within city limits. But that public hearing was canceled because the city planning and zoning department opted to postpone making a recommendation on that ordinance proposal. Instead, the council received a formal update on P&Z’s progress on the topic. The HawkEye reports members of the public were concerned earlier this year after details of a possible data center operation being constructed at 2201 S. Business 61–or “Burlington Hill”–just outside the Fort Madison city limits became publicly known.The Lee County Board of Supervisors passed a one-year moratorium on data center construction back in June, and the Burlington Hill project is now on hold. But P&Z also began working with city staff in July to help craft an amendment to existing city code that could regulate both data centers and other large business and industrial facilities.

Proposed $15B steel plant in Lee County draws jobs optimism, environmental concerns

LEE COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) - Lee County could soon be home to the largest steel plant in the United States, however, the plans are also drawing concerns from those who live near the site. “It is absolutely disgusting to see the greed of local politicians and businesses and their support...

Wapello County voters reject jail expansion bond

OTTUMWA, Iowa (KYOU) - Wapello County voters rejected an almost $45 million jail expansion. Roughly two-thirds voted no. Sheriff Don Phillips, who pushed for the 168-bed expansion, said he also struggled to sell it to voters. “I couldn’t justify trying to sell this and have a $45 million building sitting...

State Tax Credits Help Turn Two Former Schools Into Senior Housing

Two vacant schools in southeast Iowa are slated to become affordable housing for older adults, with help from state historic preservation tax credits. In Burlington, the former Apollo Middle School would become 45 affordable one- and two-bedroom apartments for residents age 55 and older. The building opened in 1910 as Burlington High School and has stood vacant for decades.

Shipley Wins Narrow Victory in Iowa House District 87

Incumbent Republican Jeff Shipley has won re-election to Iowa’s 87th House District on Tuesday, November 3rd, defeating Democratic challenger Tom O’Donnell by a margin of 326 votes out of 12,266 cast — a rematch of their 2024 contest. Shipley received 6,284 votes (51%) to O’Donnell’s 5,958 (49%)....

Keokuk Hy-Vee identified as potential measles exposure location

KEOKUK, Iowa (KWQC) - The Hy-Vee in Keokuk has been identified as a potential measles exposure location. According to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, anyone who visited the Keokuk Hy-Vee, located at 3111 Main Street, in between 1:30 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. on Oct. 30 could have been exposed.

Jeff Monken Previews Army-Air Force and Eyeing Commander-in-Chief's Trophy at West Point

ITC Midwest Begins Pre-Construction Work on 52-Mile Transmission Line Through Wapello & Jefferson County

ITC Midwest is moving into the preliminary stage of a major high-voltage electric transmission line project that will run through eastern Wapello, Jefferson and Henry counties in southeast Iowa. The Coddington-Ottumwa project will upgrade approximately 52 miles of transmission line from the Ottumwa Generating Station near Ottumwa to a new...

Washington County Receiving Federal Funding to Support Roads

Washington County is one recipient of over $76.2 million in federal funding to improve roadway safety across the state. The funds will be administered through the Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All program, which was established in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Washington County will...

The Bookworm’s Burrow Bookstore Opening this Weekend in Washington

A new bookstore is opening in downtown Washington this weekend. The Bookworm’s Burrow Bookstore will be holding a grand opening celebration on Saturday. The Bookworm’s Burrow is a book and game store that celebrates stories in all forms and they’re officially opening their doors this weekend, inviting the community to stop in, explore, shop, and meet the owner at their grand opening.

Area Veterans to be Recognized at Freedom Rock Park in Brighton Saturday

Ahead of Veteran’s Day next week, the City of Brighton will hold an event to honor veterans this Saturday. The ceremony will take place at Freedom Rock Park, featuring Mid-Prairie High School senior Caedyn Huston as a guest speaker. Huston recently gave a presentation at the Kalona Historical Village...

Quincy mother-daughter duo leads city’s 2nd Christmas parade

QUINCY, Ill. - Quincy's Christmas Parade by the Quincy Rotary After Dark club is back again, addressing the little bumps they ran into last year and looking forward to an even better parade this year to bring that Christmas magic right down Maine Street. “This year, the parade is just...

Up in smoke: Adams County hemp farmer destroys harvest ahead of new regulations

With sweeping new state rules on hemp taking effect next Wednesday, some Western Illinois farmers say they are left with crops they can no longer legally sell.

Northeast Missouri eighth graders explore future careers at Hannibal career fair

HANNIBAL, Mo.— More than 200 eighth-grade students from nearly 20 schools across Marion and Ralls counties got a firsthand look at potential career paths during a career fair in America’s Hometown. Students had the chance to explore a variety of industries through hands-on experiences and conversations with local...

Illinois voters reject sales tax hikes

(The Center Square) – Illinois voters have rejected sales tax referendums in four Illinois counties. The margins were similar in Adams, Crawford, Lake and Tazewell counties, with between 54% and 57% of voters saying no to a 1% sales tax for school facilities. Americans for Prosperity Illinois Deputy State Director Brian Costin said the election on Tuesday was about affordability, and there is tax fatigue in Illinois. “This was an election about Trump, and it shouldn't be an invitation for Democrats to go back down to Springfield or locally to just decide that they're going to try to grab more money, pass more referendums, because in all likelihood, the voters will reject that,” Costin told The Center Square. Costin noted that Gov. J.B. Pritzker defeated Republican Darren Bailey by 36 points in Lake County, but the sales tax referendum lost 57% to 43%. “I think it's a warning for Lake County and some of these other counties as well that these referendums are not something that's palatable or shouldn't be taken for granted, that the people are just going to automatically side with tax hikes,” Costin said. With the average sales tax hovering around 9% in Illinois, Costin said both