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Hawkeye women hold off UNI

Sports

November 25th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Hawkeye women overcame a cold shooting game to post a 67-60 win at UNI. The Hawks connected on only 33 percent from the field, including three of 18 from three point range, and made only 24 of 38 free throws. UNI center Jen Keitel was limited to five points and no rebounds before fouling out with three minutes to go.

Samantha Logic had 17 points and ten rebounds to lead the Hawkeyes who improve to 5-1 on the season. Amber Sorensen had 15 to lkead the Panthers as they fall to 2-3.

(Learfield Sports/Radio Iowa)

Posted in Sports |

Limiting pensions for high-paid state workers

News

November 25th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

The state’s treasurer says it’s time to impose lower limits on the pensions retired state workers may receive, but the manager of the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System or IPERS says the move would do little to reduce the fund’s future obligations. State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald says under current policy 35-year state employees with salaries above a quarter of a million dollars can earn a maximum 160-thousand dollar annual pension once they retire.

“That is, I think, bad public policy,” Fitzgerald says. “I think that’s way too high. I think that’s a benefit we ought to scale back.” Donna Mueller — the chief executive officer for IPERS — says about one percent of the 340-thousand people who are either getting an IPERS pension or may get one in the future would be affected by Fitzgerald’s proposed limit. “In the actuarial picture — very, very, very few,” Mueller says. “…It isn’t what’s causing the $5.9 billion or $5.8 billion unfunded liability.”

IPERS currently has about 25-billion dollars in assets and paid out about one-and-a-half billion dollars last year in benefits. Iowa’s pension fund for state workers, teachers and employees of local governments is in far better shape, financially, than other states, but is about 20 percent short of its future obligations. Mueller says that money’s not due today, just like an individual doesn’t have to come up with the money for their 30-year mortgage on day one.

Legislators and the governor did act recently to increase current workers’ contributions into the system. Mueller and Fitzgerald made their comments this weekend during an appearance on Iowa Public Television’s “Iowa Press” program.

(Radio Iowa)

Posted in News |

Ready for Thanksgiving: Iowa turkey farms raise 11 million birds

Ag/Outdoor, News

November 25th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

There are roughly 130 turkey farms in Iowa that have been busy preparing for this week as Thanksgiving Day draws near. Iowa Turkey Federation Executive Director Gretta Irwin says Iowa ranks ninth nationwide in turkey production. “We’ll be raising close to 11 million turkeys in the state of Iowa (this year) and each one of those turkeys is going to add $24 to $25 of economic impact to our economy,” Irwin says.

Iowa ranks fifth in the country for turkey processing as Hillshire Brands in Storm Lake and West Liberty Foods in West Liberty, combined, process over 15.5 million turkeys annually. Irwin says Iowans will find great prices on turkeys as they prepare for the Thanksgiving Day meal. “I’m seeing them at 88-cents a pound or you can buy a ham and get a turkey for free, there are lots of great deals out there,” Irwin says.

The Iowa Turkey Federation’s website was recently revamped and includes a host of tips and ideas for preparing turkeys. “We have a free brochure you can download that shows you how to prepare that turkey,” Irwin says. “It walks you step by step through the process of cooking a frozen turkey, deep fat frying a turkey, grilling a turkey…lots of great ideas in the that brochure.”

Governor Terry Branstad will uphold an annual tradition today (Monday), by pardoning two Iowa-grown turkeys during a ceremony at Terrace Hill. The turkeys, from a farm in Ellsworth, will then be taken to live out their remaining days at Living History Farms in Urbandale.

(Radio Iowa)

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

NWS Forecast for the KJAN listening area: Mon., 11/25/13

Weather

November 25th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

336 AM CST MON NOV 25 2013

EARLY THIS MORNING…CLOUDY. NOT AS COLD. SOUTHWEST WIND 10 TO 15 MPH.

TODAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY UNTIL LATE AFTERNOON THEN BECOMING MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGH IN THE MID 30S. WEST WIND 10 TO 15 MPH.

TONIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOW 15 TO 20. NORTHWEST WIND 5 TO 10 MPH.

TUESDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. BREEZY…COLDER. HIGH IN THE MID 20S. NORTHWEST WIND 10 TO 20 MPH.

TUESDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. COLDER. LOW 5 TO 10 ABOVE. NORTH WIND 10 TO 15 MPH.

WEDNESDAY…SUNNY. HIGH IN THE LOWER 20S. NORTH WIND NEAR 10 MPH SHIFTING TO THE SOUTHEAST IN THE AFTERNOON.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND THANKSGIVING DAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOW AROUND 15. HIGH 22 TO 33.

THURSDAY NIGHT AND FRIDAY…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOW 15 TO 20. HIGH IN THE MID 30S.

Posted in Weather |

Chiefs’ Hali leaves game vs SD with injury

Sports

November 25th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Outside linebacker Tamba Hali left the Kansas City Chiefs game against San Diego Sunday, after rolling his right ankle while attempting to get into the Chargers’ backfield. Hali tried to stand up before falling to one knee in the second quarter of Sunday’s game. The two-time Pro Bowl pick was examined by trainers before he was helped off the field. Hali climbed onto the back of a waiting cart and was driven to the locker room.  Frank Zombo took over for Hali.

Hali entered the game tied for fifth in the NFL with nine sacks. He needed two more sacks to pass Art Still for the third most in franchise history.

Posted in Sports |

Maryland top N. Iowa 80-66 in USVI

Sports

November 25th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

St. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands (AP) — Evan Smotrycz led all scorers and tied a career-high 20 points to help lift Maryland 80-66 over Northern Iowa Sunday night to earn a berth in the finals of the Paradise Jam basketball tournament. Smotrycz grabbed 9 rebounds and scored three 3-pointers in leading Maryland (3-2) in a second-half surge over UNI (2-3). Maryland will face either Providence or LaSalle in Monday’s final.

Dez Wells scored 10 points in the first period, including a layup that gave Maryland a 33-30 halftime lead, and Smotrycz scored 17 points in the second period. Jake Layman scored 19 points, including a dunk on the game’s final play, Nick Faust scored 17 and Wells finished with 16.

Seth Tuttle led the Panthers with 19 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. Deon Mitchell had 13 points and Nate Buss added 11. Maryland beat Marist 68-43 on Friday to advance against UNI.

Posted in Sports |

Iowa News Headlines: Mon., Nov. 25th 2013

News

November 25th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

ALTOONA, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s governor and congressional delegation are trying to shore up political support for ethanol, which is slipping as the nation produces more of its own oil. Republican Terry Branstad is pushing to reverse the Obama administration’s proposal to cut the required amount of ethanol in the nation’s fuel supply. Almost half of Iowa’s corn crop goes to manufacture the grain alcohol, which is blended into gasoline.

WAVERLY, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa woman who was once held captive by Iranian revolutionaries for more than a year is happy to see the United States talking with Iran. Kathryn Koob told The Associated Press yesterday she doesn’t want to comment on the deal that calls for Iran to freeze its nuclear program temporarily. But Koob says she’s glad the United States and Iran are sitting at the table and negotiating. Koob was one of 66 Americans held hostage in Iran beginning in 1979.

OTTUMWA, Iowa (AP) — Nearly 100 Iowa families are celebrating having their soldiers home before Thanksgiving. KCCI reports that almost 100 soldiers from an Iowa Army National Guard unit returned home Saturday after a year in Afghanistan. Autumn Eddy says she felt like she was a single parent during the deployment, so she was looking forward to Sergeant Mark Eddy’s return.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Hallie Christofferson scored 25 points to lead Number 22 Iowa State to an 89-47 blowout over Drake on Sunday. Christofferson, leading the Big 12 in shooting, was 8 of 10 from the field, including two 3-pointers in Des Moines.

Posted in News |

No. 22 Iowa State blows past Drake 89-47

Sports

November 24th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Hallie Christofferson scored 25 points to lead No. 22 Iowa State to an 89-47 blowout over Drake on Sunday. Christofferson, leading the Big 12 in shooting, was 8 of 10 from the field, including two 3-pointers, and was joined in double digits by Seanna Johnson and Brynn Williamson with 14 points apiece, and Jadda Buckley with 12. Johnson made it a double-double with 11 rebounds as well.

The undefeated Cyclones (5-0) took control of the game with a 14-0 run to close out the first half, carrying a 40-22 advantage into the break. Iowa State picked up right where it left off, out-scoring the Bulldogs 49-25 in the second half.

Lizzy Wendell led Drake (2-3) with 15 points, including the game’s first score — a layup that gave the Bulldogs an opening lead. Christofferson erased it moments later with a 3-pointer and the Cyclones pulled away.

Posted in Sports |

Audubon City Council meeting on Monday

News

November 24th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

The Audubon City Council will meet Monday evening in a regular session. On their agenda are matters pertaining to a residential sewer backup, the car wash, approval of the Annual Urban Renewal report, a resolution re-appointing Lou Herbers to the Audubon County Airport Authority Board (with term ending 12-13-2017), and a report on the Melissa Thygesen-Maddox Starmer benefit.

The meeting at the Audubon City Hall begins at 7-p.m., Monday.

Posted in News |

AP source: SS Peralta, Cardinals reach 4-year deal

Sports

November 24th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that free agent shortstop Jhonny Peralta and the St. Louis Cardinals have agreed on a four-year contract. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Sunday because there was no official announcement. The two-time All-Star needed to pass a physical to complete the contract.  Other media outlets had first reported the deal.

The 31-year-old Peralta was suspended 50 games last season for his involvement in the Biogenesis drug scandal. He returned to the Detroit Tigers at the end of the season, but he became expendable because the team had traded for young shortstop Jose Iglesias.

St. Louis went to the World Series last month and lost in six games to Boston. Pete Kozma and Daniel Descalso are generally good fielders, but were light hitters.

Posted in Sports |