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.
The spirit of bipartisanship has broken out on the presidential campaign trail in Iowa. The Iowa Democratic Veterans Caucus is hosting a fund-raiser Monday (Aug. 13) in Des Moines to assist wounded soldiers and veterans. The event, “Iowa Veterans’ Presidential Extravaganza,” is open to all veterans, regardless of their political affiliation. “From the day you put on the uniform, you learn to take care of your fellow soldier. This is no different. Black, white, Hispanic, Republican, Democrat, Independent; we are all in this together. You may or may not like our politics, but you cannot deny that we are comrades in arms,” said Bob Krause, chair of the IDP Veterans’ Caucus.
The fund-raiser will coincide with the Iowa State Fair’s “Veterans Day,” and net proceeds will be donated to soldiers and families at Landstuhl Medical Center in Germany and Veterans Affairs Medical Centers and Clinics throughout Iowa. Landstuhl is the location that seriously injured American soldiers are transported to after initial stabilization in theaters of war. Soldiers come in with no clothes and no gear because of the circumstances of the injuries. Immediate family members are authorized to travel, but some extended family members are not. Money provided to Veterans Centers and Clinics in Iowa will be given to the chaplain’s office to be distributed where there are special needs.All of the Democratic presidential candidates have been invited, but only Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Con., has confirmed he will attend, while John Edwards and Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., have confirmed they are sending high-level aides on their behalf. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, is also scheduled to speak at the event. The event will run from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. to accommodate veterans and their families who will be attending the State Fair.
The extravaganza will be held at Four Mile Community Center, 3711 Easton Blvd. in Des Moines, which is about three or four minutes from the main gate of the State Fair. From the gate, just go north on 33rd to Easton and then turn right to 37th. The cost of the event is $10 per individual, $15 per couple, and children with their parents are free. For more information about the event and/or the IDP Veterans’ Caucus, go to the group’s website.
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