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.
If people were hoping to hear former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin announce her decision about 2012 in Pella, they’ll have to keep guessing.
Palin came to Pella Tuesday for the premiere of “The Undefeated,” a positively slanted documentary detailing her political career and record as Governor of Alaska and the 2008 Republican nominee for Vice President.
Though Palin’s oldest daughter, Bristol Palin, hinted on Fox News this week that her mother has made a decision about the presidential race, Palin reportedly dismissed the idea Tuesday, telling supporters and media that she’s “still contemplating.”
Media reports estimated 300 people attended the premiere in Pella.
Palin has flirted with the idea of a 2012 run for several weeks, including a discontinued bus tour through northeastern America which fueled speculation of “will-she-or-won’t-she?”
Her timing in Iowa Tuesday also coincided with a visit of President Barack Obama, of whom Palin has typically been a high-profile critic. Tuesday was the President’s first visit to Iowa in several months; he was in the Quad Cities to tour a metal manufacturing plant and talk about the economy and job creation.
Iowa Tea Party chairman, Ryan Rhodes, told The Iowa Independent previously that Palin has been extended an invitation to meet the bus tour at a stop.
Rhodes said Palin “is greatly encouraged to come here.”
State Republican leaders, at least, did not expect any major announcements or politicking would happen in Pella, a town proud of its Dutch heritage.
Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Matt Strawn said Tuesday he thought her visit brought more enthusiasm for the August straw poll and February Iowa Caucuses, but also that he did not plan on meeting with Palin and did not have knowledge any private meetings with party leaders and lawmakers.
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