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Iowa early News Headlines: Fri., Feb. 21st 2014

News

February 21st, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An Omaha-based economist says a survey of bankers in Nebraska, Iowa and eight other Midwest states suggests that economic growth is slowing down. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he says the overall index’s decline shows that “areas of the nation highly dependent on agriculture and energy are losing economic steam.”

AMES, Iowa (AP) — The Ames Public Library is scheduled to re-open today after a norovirus sickened 30 employees earlier this week. The illnesses caused the library to close its doors on Wednesday and Thursday.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Officials in Des Moines say recent runoff caused by warmer weather has affected the taste and odor of water. Des Moines Water Works says extra runoff in the water supply has caused the utility to use more chlorine in its finished product. The change has been going on for three weeks. The utility says the water is safe to drink and use.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A lawyer for a Minnesota man charged with killing his wife in Iowa in 1997 says the man has prostate cancer and only a few months to live. John Bloomfield’s attorney asked an Iowa judge to release Bloomfield from custody so he can live his final months at home in St. Paul, Minnesota. Prosecutors oppose the request saying Bloomfield is receiving excellent medical care at a prison hospital. Judge Paul Miller in Iowa City says he’ll rule soon.