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951thebull.com

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Aging Barge Fleet Raises Concerns for Grain Transportation

For Iowa grain producers, what happens down on the Mississippi River directly hits the bottom line at the local elevator. According to CoBank, an aging and shrinking U.S. barge fleet could mean higher shipping costs and weaker basis levels for farmers. Over the past decade, the inland barge fleet has shrunk by nearly eight percent, while the average vessel age has climbed to 17.6 years, with more barges retiring each year than are being replaced.

Iowa · 7h
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Amest Tribune

partner publisher · 2.2K followers
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Regents committee weighs enrollment growth, IT cuts to save $35M

A committee is studying how to save money at Iowa's three public universities by potentially recruiting community college students and making cuts to IT. The Iowa Board of Regents created the Revenue Enhancement and Productivity Study, or REAPS initiative , in December 2025 as a "comprehensive review of revenue streams and cost efficiencies across the Regents enterprise." The board targeted savings of $35 million over three years, which is roughly 5% of all Regent appropriations from the state general fund. The REAPS committee, which includes Regent board members and staff and as well as staff from Iowa State University, the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa, plans to deliver a report to the Regents in February. Chief Efficiency Officer and committee member Jacob Nicholson said he is "very confident that in February, REAPS will deliver vetted, validated, and actionable recommendations for the board. " More: Library asks Ames to enforce an overnight camping ban on its property He provided an update at the Regents' Nov. 11 meeting in Ames, noting that the REAPS committee is still reviewing options. Some of the committee's cost-saving proposals include converting more of Iowa's community college students into four-year students, encouraging former

Iowa · 1d

Des Moines Business Record

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R&R Realty Group employees raise more than $153,000 for United Way

R&R Realty Group raised more than $153,000 for United Way of Central Iowa through its 2026 employee giving campaign. The annual campaign featured a week of fundraising events, including individual employee donations and company-wide fundraisers. Combined with a corporate contribution, the funds will support United Way of Central Iowa’s programs focused on education, financial stability and health. “It’s great to see so many people get involved, and we’re glad to continue supporting United Way and the important work they do throughout Central Iowa,” Mark Rupprecht, president of R&R Realty Group, said in a prepared statement.

Iowa · 1d
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The Rapid City Post

partner publisher · 1.2K followers
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Montana Public Service Commission approves NorthWestern Energy, Black Hills Corp. merger

The Montana Public Service Commission approved the $15.4 billion NorthWestern Energy and Black Hills Corp. merger on Tuesday. The new company, once merged, will serve 2.1 million electric and natural gas customers in Montana, Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota, Nebraska and Wyoming. In a split vote, the PSC supported the deal, with Commissioner Randy…

Montana · 2d

kgloam.com

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Sierra Club says data center developers are racing to strike deals before state officials act

DES MOINES — A coordinator for the Iowa Chapter of the Sierra Club says data center developers are hoping to strike deals with cities and counties before state and federal officials enact new restrictions. Jess Mazour was featured in a panel discussion hosted by the Iowa Farmers Union. “We...

Iowa · 8h

ottumwaradio.com

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Iowa farmer sees improved markets, rising input costs challenging 2027 margins

Northwest Iowa corn and soybean grower Brent Swart is one of many farmers making plans for 2027.”. The American Soybean Association board director tells Brownfield commodity prices have improved, which should help the bottom line. “We’re reflective back to 2025 where we just didn’t have many opportunities to market our...

Iowa · 3h

Main Street Dollars

partner publisher · 39.2K followers

Medica leaves Iowa’s individual health insurance market and Cigna leaves Colorado’s for 2027, so enrollees there must pick a new plan by Dec. 15 for Jan. 1 coverage

Medica is leaving Iowa’s individual health insurance market and Cigna is leaving Colorado’s for 2027, which means people who buy their own coverage from either company have to pick a new plan. In both states, a plan chosen by Dec. 15 starts Jan. 1. Anyone who waits until the Jan. 15 close of open enrollment […]

Iowa · 1d

cbs2iowa.com

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Iowa teachers can apply for grants to bring agriculture into classrooms

DES Moines, Iowa — Iowa educators can apply for grants of up to $250 to support classroom projects that connect agriculture with subjects such as science, math, language arts and social studies. The Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation’s Teacher Supplement Grant program supports new projects and expansions of existing lessons....

Iowa · 1d

Housing Finance

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Iowa Finance Authority Awards LIHTCs to Advance 595 Affordable Homes

The Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) has reserved nearly $9 million in federal low-income housing tax credits (LIHTCs) to help create four developments in Council Bluffs, Dubuque, Waterloo, and West Des Moines. The communities will provide 595 affordable homes for individuals and families. The recent awards were made through the 4%...

West Des Moines, IA · 2d

hoodline.com

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West Des Moines Farmland Could Become 2,200-Home Trail West Community

A stretch of farmland in western West Des Moines could transform into a sprawling new community of up to 2,200 homes over the next decade or more. The project, called Trail West, would rise on roughly 300 acres north of Booneville Road and west of Grand Prairie Parkway, with the potential to grow to around 760 acres as it builds out.

West Des Moines, IA · 2d

The Financial Wire

partner publisher · 66.6K followers

Senior homeowners in South Dakota, Idaho, Arizona and Iowa can file in 2027 for property tax freezes and credits, including Idaho’s cut of up to $1,500 due April 15

Idaho homeowners who are 65 or older can cut their property tax bill by as much as $1,500, but the application has to arrive between Jan. 1 and April 15. Three other states run their own 2027 programs for older owners: South Dakota freezes assessed value for applicants who file by April 1, Maricopa County... The post Senior homeowners in South Dakota, Idaho, Arizona and Iowa can file in 2027 for property tax freezes and credits, including Idaho’s cut of up to $1,500 due April 15 appeared first on The Financial Wire .

Idaho · 4d

cbs2iowa.com

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Alaska Airlines to begin daily flights between Des Moines and Seattle

DES Moines, Iowa — Alaska Airlines plans to begin daily, nonstop flights between Des Moines and Seattle on June 24, 2027, adding the carrier to the schedule at Des Moines International Airport. The year-round service is scheduled to leave Seattle at 9 a.m. and arrive in Des Moines at...

Des Moines, IA · 1d

WHO 13

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JCPenney countersues new Valley West Mall owner; says it doesn’t plan on going anywhere

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — JCPenney has countersued the owner of Valley West Mall, saying it doesn’t plan on going anywhere and that the mall’s management is to blame for the decline in the once-thriving shopping center. In late September, Threshold Capital announced it had purchased the 58-acre property that the mall sits on, and […]

West Des Moines, IA · 1d

clarionnewsonline.com

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Beau Klaver, 23, heads to the Iowa House from the family farm

When the Iowa House convenes in January, its youngest member will be a farmer from Kamrar who plants cover crops with drones. Beau Klaver, a Republican, won the open Iowa House District 55 seat on Nov. 3, beating Democrat Cynthia Oppedal Paschen. Unofficial results showed Klaver with 8,361 votes, about 64.7%, to Paschen’s 4,552, about 35.2%, the Hampton Chronicle reported. The district covers Franklin and Hamilton counties along with parts of Wright and Story counties, so a slice of Wright County voters will be sending him to Des Moines.

Iowa · 2d

travelmag.com

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12 Family-Owned Iowa Grocery Markets That Give Big Box Stores A Run For Their Money

I’ve noticed that my grocery shopping takes considerably longer when there’s a good butcher counter involved. Add a bakery or a shelf full of homemade treats, and suddenly my carefully planned ten-minute stop becomes a much bigger outing. That’s part of what makes Iowa’s family-owned grocery markets so...

Iowa · 2d

kdsm17.com

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Git-N-Go denies rumors of closure amid store shutdowns and inventory issues

Git-N-Go convenience stores, part of the Des Moines-based chain, are facing business challenges, including store closures and inventory shortages, but the company has denied rumors of shutting down. Several locations, including stores in Winterset, Norwalk and Altoona and the Keo Way store in downtown Des Moines, are listed for sale...

Des Moines, IA · 2d

KCRG.com

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Some Iowa farmers still finishing harvest as mid-November approaches

Iowa (KCCI) - Some farmers are still finishing their harvests as mid-November approaches, KCCI reports. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said 72% of Iowa’s corn and 93% of its soybeans have been harvested. By mid-November last year, farmers had harvested 97% of the state’s corn and 99% of its soybeans.

Iowa · 2d

Western Iowa Today

partner publisher · 36.1K followers

Lithium Battery Fires Raise Safety Concerns for Landfills and Waste Facilities

(Des Moines) As reported on Wednesday, a lithium battery from an e-bike caused a house fire in Des Moines. Additionally, Lithium battery fires are becoming a growing concern in the solid waste collection industry. In a previous interview with KSOM/KS95 News, Chris Jahnke, Director of the Cass County Landfill, says...

Des Moines, IA · 1d

ottumwaradio.com

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The Iowa Standard Announces Closure After Eight Years

The Iowa Standard, an independent Iowa media outlet founded by Jacob Hall, is closing after eight years of covering state politics, elections, education, legislative activity and government issues. Hall announced the decision Friday, saying a new professional opportunity will allow him to continue working in an area he cares about...

Iowa · 4d

WHO 13

partner publisher · 34.2K followers

Alaska Airlines to launch daily nonstop flights from Des Moines to Seattle in 2027

Seattle, WA · 22h