There are “help wanted” signs in the windows of many Iowa businesses lately as the year-end holidays approach. Many employers say there is a possibility those temporary jobs will become permanent after the Christmas rush is over, but Creighton University economist Ernie Goss is something of a Grinch on the topic. Goss predicts few employers will keep holiday workers on the payrolls very far into January.

“Not many, particularly with health care reform now staring down the face of many of the employers,” Goss says. “When the hours go above 30, they have to provide some sort of health care and that means they’re less likely to do that now than they have been in previous years.” Early indicators show this may be a weak holiday season for retailers in Iowa and across the Midwest. Goss says that doesn’t mean people aren’t spending money.

“One of the reasons we’re not seeing the growth in retail sales we’re normally seeing is, a lot of consumers are buying products we don’t include in retail sales,” Goss says. “That trip to Aruba, those vacations are not included in retail sales and a lot of consumers are spending that way.” On the job front, there are about two-million more people working nationwide now compared to a year ago but Goss says many of those jobs are part-time and most of those jobs are not in the Midwest.

(Radio Iowa)

A Council Bluffs woman who was struck by a car Sunday night, suffered from a fractured leg, ribs, lacerations and other, non-life threatening injuries. Bluffs Police said 64-year old Charlotte Meyer was transported to the University of Nebraska Medical Center following the accident that occurred at around 6:50-p.m., near the Pilot Truck Stop at 2647 S. 24th Street, in Council Bluffs.

The driver of the vehicle, 66-year old Cheryl Larson, of Omaha, told police
she was traveling North on South 24th Street, and had stopped at the traffic lights of South 24th and 27th Avenue. A male pedestrian and Meyer, were wearing dark clothing. That, along with the rain and limited visibility she said, made it difficult to see both pedestrians. Larson swerved to avoid hitting the unidentified male, but was unable to avoid hitting Meyer.

Following the collision, Larson remained at the scene until Police arrived and could interview her. Officers indicated in their report neither speed nor alcohol were factors in the accident. No charges have been filed.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Several flood warnings have been issued in southeast Nebraska and southwest Iowa after prolonged steady rain in the area. Heavy rain fell in the area where Nebraska and Iowa meet Saturday night. More than two inches of rain was recorded in some places between 7 a.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. Sunday.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa GovernorTerry Branstad — a graying little man who relies on Midwestern stick-to-itiveness rather than personal flair — is about to enter the political record books as the longest serving governor in American history, dating all the way back to colonial times. On December 14th, the six-term Republican will mark his 7,642nd day of service as governor.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — A 21-year-old man who called police to report an attempted burglary wound up being arrested himself. The Dubuque Telegraph Herald reports the man called police to his apartment around 10:40 p.m. to report that someone had tried to break in. The officers who responded asked if they could look around for a suspect. While doing that, the officers saw marijuana stems and seeds in plain view and later found two grams of the drug.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Crews have begun mapping the bottom of the Cedar River as part of an effort to develop a $2.6 million whitewater park and kayak course near downtown Waterloo. The Courier reports a few people were out on the river Saturday in a boat equipped with expensive sonar equipment.