Iowa kids wouldn’t be able to snack on corn chips and a Coke from their school vending machine under a new federal proposal. “Smart Snacks in School” would change the types of food sold in schools nationwide, according to Kevin Concannon, a former Iowan and the U-S-D-A’s Undersecretary for Food and Nutrition Services. Concannon says, “It makes sure that American kids that go to school for the snacks that they may purchase, whether they’re from vending machines or on counters during the school day, are healthier than they currently have available in many places.”

All foods sold in schools would have to meet certain guidelines, Concannon says, to make them more nutritious. Chips, candy and soda would be replaced with bagged fruits, vegetables and low-fat milk. “The snacks will have to have less sodium, less sugar,” Concannon says. “They’re more likely to have a granola bar than a typical sugar-doused candy bar.”

The proposals can be found on the Federal Register. Iowans have 60 days to comment on proposed changes and if they become policy, Iowa schools would have one year to comply. Concannon, who served as the director of the Iowa Department of Human Services from 2003 to 2008, says this change is for common sense and better health. “Let’s have more foods that we should encourage to children,” he says. “Let’s have fewer foods that we would like to discourage kids from consuming.” Snacks brought from home would still be allowed under the proposal, as well as items from school bake sales.

(Radio Iowa)

Democrats in the Iowa Senate are trying a second time to pass legislation that would give Iowa companies an advantage in selling goods and services to state government. Under their bill, if an out-of-state company is the lowest bidder, Iowa companies with bids just a bit higher would be given a chance to match the low bid and win the contract. Senator Liz Mathis, a Democrat from Robbins, is the bill’s chief sponsor. “The goal of the bill is to certainly focus on small businesses,” she says, “and to make sure that Iowa businesses are given a fair crack at state contracts.”

This new advantage for Iowa businesses would not apply on huge state government projects, like a new prison. It would apply any time the state buys under half a million dollars worth of goods or services on contract. An Iowa business within 10-thousand dollars or five percent of the winning bid from an out-of-state competitor could get the sale if the Iowa business lowers its price and matches the low bid. “And those bids are usually surrounding things like office supplies, ice machines, computers,” Mathis says. Similar legislation passed the Senate last year, but was never considered in the Republican-led House.

Republicans object to the concept, arguing Iowa taxpayers would wind up paying more to run state government because out-of-state companies with low-cost products would quit bidding for Iowa government contracts.

(Radio Iowa)

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A 23-year-old Sioux City man has been given 75 years in prison for murder and attempted murder. James Kroll Jr. had pleaded guilty to the charges last month. Kroll was sentenced on Thursday in Woodbury County District Court.  Authorities say Kroll used a crowbar to beat 54-year-old Jeffrey Moravek to death and seriously injure 54-year-old Mary Tope after breaking into Tope’s home in June.

Police say Tope’s daughter, Emily, was in the house at the time and identified Kroll, her former boyfriend. Court papers say Kroll was distraught that their relationship had ended. She was not injured.