CUSHING, Iowa (AP) — A tie in the race for the mayor of Cushing has been broken by pulling a name from a hat. The Sioux City Journal reports Supervisor David Tripp pulled the name of incumbent Mayor Gary Merkel from a hat Tuesday. The selection broke a tie with challenger Donald Joy Jr. and means Merkel can serve another two-year term as mayor of Cushing. The men had tied with each receiving 22 votes.

LE MARS, Iowa (AP) — Le Mars-based ice cream maker Wells Enterprises says it’s eliminating 58 jobs. The Sioux City Journal reports the maker of Blue Bunny ice cream says the job cuts were needed “in the midst of a challenging economic environment.” Company spokesman Dave Smetter says 38 positions will come from the corporate offices in Le Mars and 20 will come from field staff.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Tickets to a popular bacon festival in Des Moines will go on sale next month. Organizers of the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival will sell tickets online Dec. 12 beginning at 12:12 p.m., at precisely 13 seconds past the minute. The Feb. 1 festival at the Iowa State Fairgrounds will have a Las Vegas theme that pays homage to Elvis Presley. There also will be a bacon-themed chapel for couples looking to get married at the event.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Government leaders in Iowa will gather in Des Moines next month to consider the costs and implications of the extreme weather swings that have increasingly hit Iowa. The University of Iowa Public Policy Center is among the hosts of the symposium on Dec. 11 at Hy-Vee Hall. Top Iowa leaders in the fields of transportation, agriculture, higher education, natural resources and insurance are among those expected to attend.