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.
Iowa’s largest gay-rights organization will begin airing television ads Sunday in the Des Moines metro area in support of the freedom to marry for gay and lesbian couples.
The timing of the ad buy, which was produced and paid for by One Iowa, will coincide with the launch of the “Equality: Red Blue Purple” campaign, a coalition of groups with a combined membership of nearly 150,000 Iowans that includes labor, civil rights, and faith organizations all advocating in support of same-sex marriage. The campaign will officially kick off Sunday at the Des Moines Social Club, 1408 Locust St.
“The ad illustrates Iowa’s leadership in protecting equal rights for all and builds upon the traditional Iowa values we hold dear,” said Carolyn Jenison, One Iowa’s executive director.
Republicans have promised to make same-sex marriage an issue during the 2010 legislative session, and the Iowa Family Policy Center is organizing a rally on Tuesday calling on lawmakers to pass a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. But after Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, told The Iowa Independent he would not allow a vote on marriage this year, social conservative conceded that their chances of passing a constitutional amendment are remote.
One Iowa plans to air the ad for a week but is attempting to raise $10,000 to keep it on the air longer.
Here is the ad, entitled “This Place.”
Follow Jason Hancock on Twitter
Do you know where to vote on Election Day? Do you know what to bring with you? Get comprehensive voter information for your state here.
Sign up for our email newsletter