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Cedar Rapids Gazette

partner publisher · 627 followers
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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

Lee County, IA · 2d

Pen City Current

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Lee County GOP voter block motivated

LEE COUNTY – The Republican voter block in Lee County is a motivated group. Lee County Republicans stormed through the general election Tuesday with only one Democrat getting a win. Former Fort Madison City Councilman Chris Greenwald (D-Fort Madison) defeated Tom Schulz (R-Fort Madison) for the District 2 Lee...

Lee County, IA · 2d
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ktvo.com

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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...

Lee County, IA · 22h
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Pen City Current

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Groups work out creative incentive package for steel plant

FORT MADISON – Lee County residents got their first glimpse Wednesday night into negotiations between the county and the Minnesota company that plans to build a $15 billion steel facility in Green Bay Bottoms near Wever. Officials with Mesabi Metallics, which is a subsidiary of Essar Group of Mumbai,...

Lee County, IA · 1d
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KBUR

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The former Apollo Middle School in Burlington will undergo significant rehabilitation thanks to the Iowa Historic Preservation Tax Credit program

The former Apollo Middle School in Burlington will undergo significant rehabilitation thanks to the Iowa Historic Preservation Tax Credit program. The Iowa Economic Development Authority this week announced more than $18 million in tax credits geared toward revitalizing historic buildings across the state, including the vacant school. After sitting vacant for decades, officials said the three-story building will be transformed into 45 affordable one and two bedroom apartments for residents 55 and older. Other buildings in Des Moines, Dubuque, Iowa City, Waterloo and Ottumwa were also awarded funding for similar projects.

Burlington, IA · 2d

kilj.com

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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.

Burlington, IA · 8h

khqa.com

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Plans moving forward to reopen southeast Iowa hospital closed in 2022

KEOKUK, Iowa - Plans are moving forward to reopen a southeast Iowa hospital. An Insight Health Systems spokesperson says the Keokuk Area Hospital will reopen as a Rural Emergency Hospital supported by $825,000 in federal funding through the USDA Rural Healthcare Facilities program. At this point, no money has been...

Keokuk, IA · 1d

WBAY Green Bay

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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.

Adams County, IL · 17h

KWQC

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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...

Lee County, IA · 1d

kciiradio.com

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COVID and Flu on the Rise in Washington County

Take steps to prevent the spread of illness this winter, as influenza and COVID cases are on the rise in the local area. According to Washington County Hospital and Clinics, this week COVID levels are substantial while influenza and strep case activity is rated moderate. People are reminded to wash...

Washington County, IA · 1d

Pen City Current

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County creating input options on steel project

LEE COUNTY – A meeting planned for Wednesday night to give Lee County residents their first look inside negotiations between county officials and Mesabi Metallics around a $15 billion proposed steel mill is shaping up to be a big event. Lee County Supervisors released information on the event Monday...

Lee County, IA · 3d

The Atlantic

partner publisher · 187.4K followers

Revenge of the White Working Class

But what happens next?

Des Moines County, IA · 1d

KBUR

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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.

Fort Madison, IA · 9h

ottumwaradio.com

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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...

Jefferson County, IA · 2d

ottumwaradio.com

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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%)....

Iowa · 1d

kciiradio.com

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20 Years of Service Recognized by Washington County Supervisors

The Washington County Board of Supervisors recognized 20 years of service for a county employee at their Tuesday meeting. Peggy Wood has been the Public Health Director of Finance and Operations for Washington County Public Health for 20 years. The Public Health Director of Finance and Operations is a senior...

Washington County, IA · 1d

tspr.org

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TSPR Election Results – Nov. 3, 2026

Counties around the region reported strong voter turnout for a midterm election. For example, more than 58% of voters cast ballots in Des Moines County, McDonough County’s turnout was nearly 56%, and the turnout was 51% in Warren County. The statewide turnout in Iowa was nearly 63%. Voters chose...

Iowa · 2d

ottumwaradio.com

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Jefferson County Data Center Committee Finalized with Five Members

The Jefferson County Board of Supervisors finalized the membership of their data center study committee on Thursday, November 5th, appointing three new members to join Taylor Ross and Michael Campbell, who had previously been designated to serve. The board appointed Dan Sears, a member of the USDA; Dee Sandquist, a...

Jefferson County, IA · 1d

kilj.com

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Abbie Liechty Defeats Becky Wilson in Henry County Attorney Race

November 4, 2026 — Independent candidate Abbie Liechty has won the race for Henry County Attorney, defeating Republican Becky Wilson in one of the county’s most closely followed elections. Unofficial results show Liechty receiving 3,977 votes, or approximately 53.6 percent, compared to Wilson’s 3,437 votes, or 46.4 percent....

Henry County, IA · 2d

ottumwaradio.com

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Democrats Control Jefferson County in 2026 General Election; Republicans Dominate Keokuk and Van Buren Counties

Unofficial election results from Tuesday’s 2026 general election on November 3rd showed contrasting political landscapes across southeast Iowa, with Jefferson County trending Democratic in several key races while Keokuk and Van Buren counties favored Republican candidates. Jefferson County. Democrats carried most of the top-of-ticket races in Jefferson County. Josh...

Keokuk County, IA · 2d