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.
An Alabama man employed by the Pawlenty Exploratory Committee was arrested early Wednesday morning for allegedly trying to enter a home in Ankeny.
Police said Benjamin Foster, who was confirmed to KCCI TV-8 to be employed on staff for former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty‘s presidential campaign, was arrested for trespassing and public intoxication.
Benjamin Foster processing photo from the Polk County Jail
A teenage girl told the Des Moines television station she woke at 3 a.m. to the sound of her dogs barking. She discovered a man banging on the back door and trying to get in. She screamed before the family called police.
“His arm was in my back door, trying to get in and I screamed and went upstairs to my parents room and I continued screaming,” said 15-year-old Chloe Steward.
KCCI reported:
The Steward family said Foster was drunk and was trying to get home to a friend’s house in Johnston. They said he vomited in their backyard and scared their daughter.
Ankeny Police Chief Gary Mikulec said Foster told the officers he was staying at 6905 Jack London Dr., in Johnston.
That address would be the same address as state Rep. Erik Helland (R-Johnston) who in 2010 was arrested for driving while intoxicated. Helland was arrested and also charged with interference with official acts.
Foster issued a statement saying “Last night, I made a very serious mistake. I take full responsibility for my actions. I want to apologize to all affected by my poor judgment.”
The 24-year-old Foster was hired in 2010 as an aide shortly after he moved to Iowa from Alabama.
Eric Woolson, speaking for the exploratory committee issued a statement to the Des Moines Register:
“Governor Pawlenty is extremely disappointed in Ben’s actions and his behavior does not meet the standards he expects of his employees. Therefore, the committee is placing Ben on a two-week unpaid suspension and expects him to bear the legal consequences for his action.”
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