A new report shows few Iowa employers are expecting to add jobs over the last three months of the year. The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey for the fourth quarter of 2012 yielded a net employment outlook of just 10-percent. Karen Miller is spokeswoman for Manpower in Des Moines. “For the fourth quarter of this year, we’re looking at 20-percent of the companies that we surveyed are planning on increasing (employment) while 10-percent are planning on decreasing. So we have a net employment outlook of 10-percent,” Miller said. Another 68-percent of Iowa employers surveyed expect to maintain their current staffing levels, while two-percent are uncertain.

Iowa employers’ hiring plans are much weaker when compared to the third quarter survey. “We had a very robust third quarter outlook,” Miller said. “The net employment outlook for the third quarter was 24-percent.” The Manpower survey mirrors a report released last week by the Iowa Business Council – showing the CEOs of Iowa’s largest companies anticipate a slowdown in sales, capital spending and employment in the coming six months. Miller suspects many business owners are taking a “wait and see” approach.

“I think employers are being really cautious because of the pending elections, health care, global economic issues and fluctuation and the (drought),” Miller said. “We’ve had a myriad of factors that have impacted the fourth quarter number.” Manpower surveyed more than 18,000 employers across the U.S. The overall national report shows 17-percent expect to add to their workforces and 9-percent expect a decline in payrolls – for a fourth quarter net employment outlook of 11-percent.

(Radio Iowa)

Officials with the Cass County Democratic Party say a Grand Opening of its Election Headquarters will be held next Tuesday, September 18th. The event, and fundraiser for Iowa House Candidate John Rose, will feature former Iowa Lt. Governor Patty Judge, as the keynote speaker. Rose, who is running against Republican Jack Drake from Griswold, for House District 21, will also speak at the event, which runs from 5-to 6:30-p.m., Sept. 18th, at the Democratic Party headquarters. Snacks and refreshments will be served. The public is invited to attend. For more information, call Sherry Toelle, at 712-243-4861.

Two Nebraska residents were injured Monday on Interstate 29 near Crescent, when a van ran out of gas and was hit from behind. According to the Iowa State Patrol, a 2002 Ford Windstar van driven by 32-year old Brylona Moreland, of Omaha, was traveling south on I-29 at around 6:10-p.m., when the vehicle’s gas tank ran dry. The van came to rest on the traveled portion of the interstate, and was hit from behind by a 2007 Pontiac G-6, driven by 27-year old Christopher Buser, of Bellevue, NE.

Following the impact, both vehicles came to rest in the west ditch. Moreland, and a passenger in the van, 34-year old Terrell Jones, of Omaha, were transported to Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha. Neither was wearing a seat belt. Buser suffered minor injuries, but refused medical treatment at the scene. Officials say several traffic citations were issued to Moreland.