712 Digital Group - top

Iowa’s congressmen, US senators divided on key Obama tax proposal

News

January 25th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Iowa’s congressional delegation is split along party lines over a key proposal President Obama highlighted in his “State of the Union” speech. Obama has proposed raising the tax rate to at least 30 percent for Americans who make more than a million dollars, an idea Omaha billionaire Warren Buffett advocates. Obama invited Buffett’s secretary to last night’s speech in D.C., as Buffett often says he pays a much lower tax rate than his secretary does. That does not sway Steve King, a Republican Congressman from western Iowa. “Warren Buffett has shielded a lot of income,” King says. “We can’t look at Warren Buffett’s tax rate and his secretary’s tax rate and draw any calculation…so it looks to me like it’s a political ploy more than anything else.”

Republican Senator Chuck Grassley says “under-taxing” millionaires and billionaires isn’t the problem. “But the most important thing is the intellectual dishonesty of saying that Buffett’s paying 15 percent and that’s less than what his secretary pays. He pays 15 percent on capital gains, but you’ve got to remember that same money was taxed at 35 percent at the corporate level,” Grassley says. “You could figure that dollars taxed at 50 percent, not 15 percent.” Republican Congressman Tom Latham of Clive doesn’t directly accuse President Obama of engaging in “class warfare,” but Latham’s no fan of raising the tax rate on the wealthy. “I think it’s important that we try to unite the country and not divide the citizens economically or wherever,” Latham says, “because we’ve got a lot of problems in this country.” Iowa’s three Democratic Congressmen all support the higher tax rate for people who make more than a million dollars

Congressman Leonard Boswell, a Democrat from Des Moines, says he’s been a “long-time” supporter of raising the tax rate on top wage earners. “Maybe amnesia set in how we got to where we are, but there’s no point in lamenting on it. We’re there,” Boswell says. “How do we get out of it? And if everybody participates and I mean everybody — all — we can do this.” Senator Tom Harkin, a Democrat, says the Republican Party’s “trickle down” economics doesn’t work and Harkin argues Obama’s tax proposals “promote a better, more fair tax structure.”

President Obama is due in Iowa over the noon-hour today (Wednesday). He’ll give a speech at a manufacturing plant in Cedar Rapids, a stop through five “battleground states” in the November election and a backdrop to highlight the president’s proposals to boost the manufacturing industry.

(O. Kay Henderson/Radio Iowa)

Forecast for Cass & nearby Counties on Wed., Jan. 25th 2012

Weather

January 25th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

327 AM CST WED JAN 25 2012 National Weather Service/Des Moines

EARLY THIS MORNING…MOSTLY CLOUDY. NOT AS COLD. EAST WIND AROUND 5 MPH.

TODAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY UNTIL LATE AFTERNOON THEN BECOMING MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGH AROUND 40. SOUTH WIND 5 TO 10 MPH.

TONIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY THEN BECOMING MOSTLY CLOUDY AFTER MIDNIGHT THEN BECOMING PARTLY CLOUDY. LOW IN THE MID 20S. WEST WIND NEAR 5 MPH.

THURSDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGH IN THE UPPER 30S. NORTHWEST WIND 5 TO 15 MPH.

THURSDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLEAR THROUGH MIDNIGHT THEN BECOMING MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOW IN THE LOWER 20S. SOUTHWEST WIND 5 TO 10 MPH.

FRIDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SNOW IN THE MORNING…THEN A CHANCE OF RAIN AND SNOW IN THE AFTERNOON. BREEZY. HIGH IN THE MID 30S. SOUTH WIND 10 TO 15 MPH SHIFTING TO THE WEST 15 TO 20 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION 30 PERCENT.

FRIDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOW 15 TO 20.

SATURDAY THROUGH SUNDAY…PARTLY CLOUDY. HIGH IN THE LOWER 30S. LOW AROUND 15.

Texas Ends Losing Skid by Beating Iowa State 62-55

Sports

January 25th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Off to its worst Big 12 start in 14 years, Texas was desperate for a win. The Longhorns finally got one, even if they let what could have been a rout turn into a nervous finish in the final minute. Myck Kabongo scored 13 points, Julien Lewis had 12 and Texas ended a three-game losing streak with a 62-55 victory over Iowa State on Tuesday night. Texas (13-7, 3-4 Big 12) got the victory despite a bad night by leading scorer J’Covan Brown, who scored 12 on 3-of-16 shooting and compounded that with five turnovers. Brown and Kabongo made key late baskets that held off an Iowa State rally. The Cyclones trimmed an 18-point second-half deficit to 58-55 after 3-pointers by Chris Allen and Chris Babb in the final minute. Brown made two free throws with 21 seconds left, and Kabongo’s steal from Allen and fast-break layup 9 seconds later ended it. Iowa State beat Texas in the conference opener, but the Big 12’s top 3-point-shooting team struggled badly from long range in the rematch. The Cyclones average nine 3-pointers but were just 5 of 21 on Tuesday night. Royce White led Iowa State (14-6, 4-3) with 15 points, 15 rebounds and five assists but scored just four in the second half and was just 1 of 7 shooting free throws.

Tuesday Boys High School Basketball Results

Sports

January 25th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Hawkeye 10:

  • Atlantic 55, Glenwood 40
  • Clarinda 43, Savannah, Mo. 35
  • Lewis Central 47, Denison-Schleswig 45
  • Harlan 45, Ralston, Neb. 42 (2OT)
  • Sidney 87, Shenandoah 53

Western Iowa:

  • A-H-S-T 52, Griswold 48
  • Tri-Center 64, Underwood 61
  • Riverside 63, Audubon 46
  • Treynor 80, Missouri Valley 50

Rolling Hills:

  • CAM 60, Walnut 41
  • Ankeny Christian Academy 47, Adair-Casey 45
  • Exira-EHK 49, Orient-Macksburg 39
  • Glidden-Ralston 48, Iowa Christian Academy 45
  • East Greene 81, Paton-Churdan 62

    Others:

    • A-D-M 76, Carroll 62
    • Coon Rapids-Bayard 45, Guthrie Center 43
    • East Mills 69, Nishnabotna 42
    • Nodaway Valley 78, Corning 47
    • Lenox 73, East Union 60
    • Mount Ayr 51, Bedford 35
    • Sioux City North 81, Abraham Lincoln 44
    • Sioux City West 71, Thomas Jefferson 60
    • Stanton 44, South Page 39
    • Fremont-Mills 62, Essex 30
    • Villisca 52, Clarinda Academy 51
    • Woodward-Granger 56, Panorama 54
    • St. Albert 69, Concordia, Neb. 51

     

    Some Pamida stores slated for closing

    News

    January 24th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

    Officials say some Pamida stores will close as part of the merger with Shopko, but it’s still unclear how many, if any, will be shuttered in Iowa. Shopko, based in Green Bay, Wisconsin, announced earlier this month it will take over Pamida, headquartered in Omaha. There are six Shopko stores and 30 Pamidas in Iowa. Shopko spokeswoman Tara Powers says the two companies have been linked in the past, but only behind the scenes.  “Shopko and Pamida were one company back in the early 2000s, but at that time, they were really run as two separate organizations and they shared some back office functions but they were largely independent of one another,” Powers says. “The difference today is they are truly merging together under the Shopko banner as one company, one corporate office.” While some company mergers are just done on a balance sheet, she says customers will see big changes at Pamida locations. The Pamida name will be eliminated and most product lines changed.

    “Shopko Hometown carries a much larger assortment of certain categories, like apparel and home merchandise and they have a big emphasis on national brands,” Powers says. “The product mix that consumers will see when they come into the store is going to be very, very different from what they’re used to at Pamida.” No changes are planned at any of the Shopko stores, but some 80-million dollars will be invested over the next year to convert most of the 193 Pamida stores into Shopko Hometown stores this year. Combined, the new chain will have almost 350 stores in 22 states. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The merger is expected to close in mid-February.

    “The two companies looked at the retail landscape together and see that there is a lot of opportunity to serve smaller communities,” Powers says. “(Customers) currently have to drive anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour to go into a larger town to go to Walmart or Target to get everything they need. The idea with a Shopko Hometown store is they can get everything they need in a smaller footprint store right in their own community.” There are currently Pamida stores in 30 Iowa cities: Albia, Audubon, Bloomfield, Chariton, Clarion, Corydon, Dyersville, Eldora, Estherville, Forest City, Glenwood, Greenfield, Harlan, Humboldt, Hampton, Ida Grove, Jefferson, Missouri Valley, Mount Ayr, New Hampton, Oelwein, Onawa, Osceola, Perry, Red Oak, Sheldon, Sigourney, Toledo, Waukon and Winterset. There are now six Shopko stores in the state: Burlington, Council Bluffs, Dubuque, Fort Madison, Mason City and Sioux City.

    (Radio Iowa)

    Audubon County Farmer Wins $2,500 for Audubon HS Wrestling Fund

    Ag/Outdoor, News, Sports

    January 24th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

    Officials with the Monsanto Seed Company said Tuesday Blane Kerkhoff, of Audubon, has been selected as a winner in the “America’s Farmers Grow Communities” contest, which gives farmers the opportunity to win $2,500 for their favorite local nonprofit organizations. The donations are available through the Monsanto Fund. Kerkhoff has designated the Audubon High School Wresting Fund to receive the award in Audubon County. Audubon Community School District Superintendent Brett Gibbs, Kerkhoff and a Monsanto representative will participate in a check presentation ceremony Saturday morning, beginning at 9:30., at the Audubon High School (800 3rd St. in Audubon).

    Farmers in 39 states and 1,245 counties were eligible to win $2,500 for their favorite community nonprofit.  America’s Farmers Grow Communities is part of a broad commitment by the Monsanto Fund to highlight the important contributions farmers make every day to society, by helping them grow their local communities.

    Nearly 60,000 farmers participated in the second annual Grow Communities program, which is designed to benefit nonprofit groups such as ag youth, schools and other civic organizations. For more information and to see a full list of winners, visit www.growcommunities.com

    I-80 rest area near Adair closed Jan. 25th-26th for installation of wind turbine blade

    News

    January 24th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

    Officials with the Iowa Department of Transportation said Tuesday, that the westbound I-80 rest area, located between Adair and Casey at milepost 80, will be closed beginning at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25th, until approximately 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26th, weather permitting, for installation of a wind turbine blade. The rest area will be closed to allow the wind turbine blade to be installed on the facility’s grounds using two large cranes.

    The blade will ultimately serve as a sculptural element on the site and be accompanied by an interpretive plaque. The blade and transportation to the site were donated to the State of Iowa by Siemens Energy of Fort Madison, Iowa.  There will be no public viewing area for the wind blade installation. Parking on interstate highways and freeways is for emergencies only.

    The rest area is located at the threshold of an Adair County wind farm. Visitors to the site will discover several design elements incorporated into the building and grounds that speak about energy and alternatives such as wind.

    Iowa has become a national leader in the wind energy industry, employing many Iowans in this important energy sector and businesses throughout the state. The industry is a significant contributor to the state’s economy. According to the Iowa Wind Energy Association, the wind energy industry in Iowa currently employs at least 3,000 full-time workers in manufacturing, operation and maintenance of wind turbine components, with an estimated payroll of $70.2 million.

    Iowa produces 20 percent of all the electricity generated in the state from wind turbines, ranking it first in the nation and second in the world. Siemens has a 600,000-square-foot wind turbine blade manufacturing facility in Fort Madison, serving as the largest employer in that community and Lee County with nearly 800 employees, contributing to the economic revitalization of the region.

    Senate committee votes to override lead-shot ban

    Ag/Outdoor, News, Sports

    January 24th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

    DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa legislative committee has voted to overturn a Natural Resources Commission rule that would have banned hunting mourning doves with lead-shot ammunition. The Senate Natural Resources committee voted 9-3 for the measure on Tuesday. The commission last year unanimously recommended lead-shot ammunition be banned. Environmental advocates say it can harm or kill animals when ingested. A legislative committee put the ban on hold, but it would take effect if lawmakers don’t reverse the rule before adjourning in a few months. If lead-shot is banned, steel-shot ammunition would still be allowed. But hunters say steel-shot doesn’t perform as well, and is inconvenient and expensive. The resolution now goes to the full Senate.

    Patrol: Driver in deadly Greene County crash not licensed

    News

    January 24th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

    DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say the driver of a car involved in a deadly collision in Greene County last weekend was not licensed to drive. The Iowa State Patrol says 42-year-old David Muir, of Rippey, was suspended from driving and should not have been behind the wheel. Troopers say Muir’s car collided with an oncoming pickup truck near Rippey on Sunday afternoon. Muir, a passenger, Andrew Jackson, of Orient, and the driver of the pickup, Dwight Snowgren, of Jamaica, were killed. The patrol determined Muir was traveling at 127 mph just seconds before the crash. Investigators say Muir’s car lost some speed before the collision and was traveling at about 85 mph at the time of impact.

    Retired Cardinals Manager La Russa Will Lead NL All-Stars in 2012

    Sports

    January 24th, 2012 by Jim Field

    Tony La Russa, the longtime manager of the St. Louis
    Cardinals who retired following his Club’s 2011 World Series
    Championship, will serve as the manager of the National League All-Star
    Team for the 2012 Midsummer Classic at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City,
    Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig announced today.

    Commissioner Selig said: “Tony earned this opportunity
    with the remarkable run that the Cardinals completed last October, and I
    am delighted that he shared my enthusiasm about his staying in this
    role.  The All-Star Game celebrates all the best of our game, and it is
    very appropriate that we will have the chance to celebrate one of the
    greatest managerial careers of all-time as a part of our festivities.”

    La Russa will lead the N.L. All-Stars for the third time
    (previous: 2005, 2007) and it will mark his sixth Midsummer Classic
    managerial assignment, matching Joe Torre’s total and surpassed only by
    Hall of Famers Casey Stengel (10), Walter Alston (9) and Joe McCarthy
    (7).  While leading the Oakland Athletics, La Russa was the American
    League All-Star skipper from 1989-1991.  La Russa has a 3-2 record in
    his five Midsummer Classics as manager.  The remainder of La Russa’s
    N.L. coaching staff will be announced in the months ahead.

    La Russa, 67, managed 33 years in the Major Leagues, with
    the Chicago White Sox (1979-1986), the A’s (1986-1995) and the Cardinals
    (1996-2011).  His clubs won three World Series Championships and made
    six World Series overall.  The four-time BBWAA Manager of the Year won
    three National League pennants (2004, 2006, 2011) with St. Louis,
    including its National League-best 10th and 11th World Series
    Championships.

    This will mark the second time that a retired manager will
    lead an All-Star squad.  Hall of Fame manager John McGraw retired
    following the 1932 season and managed the N.L. squad in the first
    Midsummer Classic in 1933.  Two managers led an All-Star team after
    moving on to new Clubs immediately following a World Series.  Dick
    Williams was the 1974 A.L. All-Star manager after leaving the A’s for
    the California Angels following the 1973 World Series.  Dusty Baker, who
    managed the San Francisco Giants to the 2002 Fall Classic, was the 2003
    N.L. All-Star manager after joining the Chicago Cubs.

    The 2012 All-Star Game will be played at Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday,
    July 10th.  The 83rd All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX
    Sports.  For more information, please visit allstargame.com.