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.
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.
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.
The Iowa Senate will remain under the control of a slim 26-25 Democratic majority when it reconvenes in January 2012.
A second Democrat has entered the race for the right to challenge Republican U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley next year, setting the stage for primary campaign.
Tom Fiegen, a bankruptcy attorney from Clarence, has yet to “formally” announce his candidacy, but he has made no secret of his intentions on his Twitter page. Last week, he launched a rough version of a campaign Web site.
In 2000, Fiegen upset five-term incumbent state Sen. Jack Rife, R-Durant, a former GOP minority leader, for a seat in the Iowa legislature.
Fiegen was only able to hold his seat for two years. Redistricting put him and another incumbent state senator, Richard Drake, R-Muscatine, into the same district, creating the need for another election in 2002. Fiegen was defeated.
Fiegen ran again for Senate District 40 in 2005, losing this time to Republican James Hahn.
Fiegen will face off with Bob Krause of Fairfield, who declared his plans to challenge Grassley in March. Krause was elected to the Iowa House in 1972, and left office after making an unsuccessful run for state treasurer in 1978. He serves as chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party’s veterans caucus.
Also in the race is Democrat and perenial candidate Sal Muhammad of Sioux City.
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