DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad is calling for sweeping changes in the way teachers are paid and tougher standards for measuring student performance. At a news conference Monday, Branstad said he would link teacher pay with performance in the classroom. He says he would create a system where instructors would be classified from apprentice teachers to master teachers. Under Branstad’s plan, students would have to pass proficiency tests to advance beyond the third grade, and would have to demonstrate competency before graduating from high school. The governor conceded the plan would cost more than the $3.45 billion the state currently spends on schools, but he says a final price tag hasn’t been set. Branstad says he plans to travel the state to rally support for his proposal.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – South Carolina Republicans will hold their first-in-the-South presidential primary on Jan. 21 to trump Florida’s rule-breaking jump ahead in the party’s calendar. State GOP Chairman Chad Connelly made the announcement Monday. It caps days of speculation about how the state party would respond to Florida’s decision to hold its primary on Jan. 31. South Carolina has been poised to hold its primary in late February. Florida’s early date breaks Republican National Committee rules and would cause the state to lose half its delegates to next summer’s national convention. South Carolina, New Hampshire, Nevada and Iowa have been conferring on how to deal with Florida’s move. South Carolina’s move will likely make the 2012 primary calendar look a lot like 2008, with Iowa’s caucuses just days into the year.

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Supreme Court won’t stop Iowa from forcing KFC Corp. to pay nearly $250,000 in corporate income taxes, even though it had no restaurants or employees in the state. The high court on Monday refused to hear an appeal from the fried-chicken giant, which a decision by that state’s Supreme Court overturned. All KFC restaurants in Iowa are independent franchises, whose owners pay KFC for the use of its logo and systems. But the Iowa Department of Revenue and Finance assessed the company more than $248,000 in unpaid corporate income taxes, including interest and penalties, in 2001. The taxes were for 1997 to 1999. KFC says it doesn’t owe Iowa taxes because it doesn’t have property in the state. But Iowa judges have not agreed with that argument.

Harvest Fest - Apple Pie contest (file photo courtesy Atlantic Chamber)

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce and the BPO DOES have once again teamed-up for this year’s Harvest Fest in Atlantic, to help raise funds for the DOES Scholarship Fund. As part of Harvest Fest, which takes place this Saturday, October 8^th, an Apple Pie Contest will be held, with AtlantiCash prizes of $50 for the blue ribbon winner in the amateur division, and $25 for the runner-up. Winner of the commercial division will be awarded the title of “Best Apple Pie in Atlantic” with a framed certificate for their restaurant or bakery. Pies should be delivered to the Chamber by no later than noon, Saturday, in order to be considered for the contest.

Chamber Executive Director Megan Roberts says “Each year, the Chamber and the DOES partner up for the apple pie contest to help raise funds for the DOES scholarship fund.” She adds that with a scoop of ice cream on top, there’s “Never a crumb left to taste.” There will also be a Smoked Meat Cook-off held in conjunction with Harvest Fest this year. Pulled pork, brisket sandwiches and smoked ribs will be available for purchase with chips and drink also to enjoy during the Atlantic Fire Department entertainment from 4- to 6-p.m. before the Firemen’s Parade. Roberts says “The Atlantic Firemen will have a unique team of horses and a drum corps stepping team performing,“ while dinner is served. For more information contact the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce at 712.243.3017 or e-mail megan@atlanticiowa.com.

Local business leaders and potential entrepreneurs are invited to attend a “Lunch and Learn” session to be held in Atlantic next week. The session, being held October 11^th at the historic Rock Island Depot, is sponsored by the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, and is designed to provide the tools business leaders need to ensure they’re able to reach their full potential.

The Lunch and Learn takes place from 11:30-a.m. to 1:00-p.m., and is open to Chamber members, and non-members alike. Guest speaker is Bob Clements, a business coach from the E-Myth business

Bob Clements

 development system. The philosophy behind E-Myth focuses on designing businesses the work for the owner. The program has been in existence for more than 30-years, and the seminar is based on a best selling book detailing why most small businesses don’t work, and what to do about it.

Clements, a trained and certified Senior E-Myth Coach, has served as a practicing business attorney, bank counsel, Chamber of Commerce president, and consultant. The seminar, and Clements’ presentation, will ask business owners to question everything they think they know about business, to consider that their experience may be their worst teacher instead of the best, and to ponder what they have been doing incorrectly that repeatedly produces the same results.

Tickets for the seminar and lunch are $20 for Chamber members, or $30 for non-members. They’re available from the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce. Persons interested in attending should make their reservations by no later than this Friday, October 7^th. To do so, call 712-243-3017, or e-mail Nicky Christensen at nicky@atlanticiowa.com

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A new monthly survey of business managers suggests weak economic growth will continue in nine Midwest and Plains states with little chance of another recession in the region. The overall economic index released Monday increased to 52.2 in September from August’s 52, and any score above 50 suggests economic growth in the next few months. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says the region is being helped by the relative strength of businesses tied to agriculture or exports.

The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota. Even though the region’s economy looks OK, the business leaders surveyed aren’t very confident about their prospects. The survey’s confidence index slid to 40.5 in September from August’s 43.4 as concerns about Europe’s economy continued to grow.