(Radio Iowa) – State Regulators have hired two companies to conduct a study of the state’s gaming industry that could play a key role in the decision to award a new casino license. Racing and Gaming Administrator, Tina Eick) says the studies are due December 30th, and the two companies will make a presentation to the Commission on their findings at their meeting in January.

The move comes after the Iowa Legislature’s two-year moratorium on new gambling licenses expired. The Linn County Gaming Association has a proposal for a casino on the Cedar River in Cedar Rapids if the I-R-G-C decides to award a new gambling license after reviewing the study and getting other input.

(Radio Iowa) – Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg has resigned today (Tuesday) and has been named President and CEO of the Iowa Bankers Association. In a written statement, Gregg said his kids are growing up too fast and statewide office forces him to miss more of their lives than he can accept — so his time in public service must come to a close.

Gregg, a lawyer who grew up in Hawarden, was the Republican Party’s nominee for attorney general in 2014. He served as the state’s public defender for the next three years — until Kim Reynolds chose him to be lieutenant governor. That was in the spring of 2017, when Governor Terry Branstad resigned and Reynolds was sworn in as lieutenant governor.

Reynolds says Gregg has been a tremendous partner and it comes as no surprise that he prioritizing his personal life.

(Radio Iowa) – Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg has resigned today (Tuesday) after serving in the role for seven years. According to a news release from the governor’s office, Gregg is stepping down to pursue a career opportunity that allows him to focus more on his family. In a written statement, Gregg said his kids are growing up too fast and statewide office forces him to miss more of their lives than he can accept — so his time in public service must come to a close.

Gregg, a lawyer who grew up in Hawarden, was the Republican Party’s nominee for attorney general in 2014. He served as the state’s public defender for the next three years — until Kim Reynolds chose him to be lieutenant governor. That was in the spring of 2017, when Governor Terry Branstad resigned and Reynolds was sworn in as lieutenant governor.

Reynolds says Gregg has been a tremendous partner and it comes as no surprise that he prioritizing his personal life.

(Radio Iowa) – The Mid-America Business Index for August shows Iowa’s manufacturing sector is being hit by a sales slowdown. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss checks in each month with manufacturing supply managers in nine states, including Iowa.

“What we’re seeing in our survey for Iowa, for the region and for the nation is the manufacturing sector is bumping along,” Goss told Radio Iowa. “I won’t call it in a recession…(but) it’s certainly a slowdown and we’re seeing the pinch in the streets as we’re seeing pull backs in employment.”

The state’s overall Business Conditions rating for August marks a fourth month of decline from what Goss calls “growth neutral.” New orders and production were down among Iowa manufacturers in the August report, with an overall decline in hiring. “The national number came out this morning and also showing that employment in the manufactuing sector remains weak and declining and job losses there,” Goss said. “And certainly again, in terms of Iowa, you can trace that back to the agricultural equipment manufacturing, but also to those related industries.”

Ernie Goss

Goss cited a pull-back in facilities that produce fabricated metal. According to the latest data from the U.S. International Trade Administration, exports from Iowa’s manufacturing sector through August are down nearly 6% when compared to the first eight months of last year. “At least going forward, that’s going to unfortunately continue,” Goss said. “…And of course it’s slowing down the Iowa economy and the regional economy.”

Goss has a separate survey that focuses exclusively on what’s happening the agricultural sector. “Those who sell directly to the farmers are having a real downturns in overall sales as the farmers cut back on their purchases,” Goss said, “and we’re seeing some of those impacts.”

In a news release issued this morning by Creighton, Goss said the supply managers he surveys for the monthly Mid-America Business Index are “pessimistic” and 35% of them say a recession is “a real threat.”