Trial For Former Madison County Treasurer Canceled, Plea Deal Reached
(Madison County, IA) — The trial for the former Madison County treasurer that was set to start today is canceled. Amanda DeVos is accused of altering county databases to make it appear that she had paid her vehicle registration fees when she hadn’t, and of changing her personal property taxes. She pleaded guilty Monday to third-degree fraudulent practice, a misdemeanor, and five charges were dropped. DeVos will be sentenced during a hearing scheduled for November 2.
Iowa Attorney General Sues Amazon
(Des Moines, IA) — Iowa is suing Amazon, accusing the company of overcharging small businesses by tens of billions of dollars. Iowa is one of 22 states that claim Amazon replaced competitive auction results with its own advertising pricing, inflating costs on peak shopping days. The lawsuit contends that Amazon hid surcharges from its advertising customers, who passed the price hikes along to independent sellers and, ultimately, to consumers. Amazon says advertisers never pay more than their bids, adding there’s no evidence of consumer price increases.
US News And World Report: Iowa Ranks 12th Best State In The Nation
(Des Moines, IA) — Iowa is one of the best states in the nation, according to a new study. U.S. News and World Report is comparing all 50 states based on metrics like education, economy and crime. The list ranks Iowa second-best for opportunity, ninth-best for fiscal stability and 12th-best overall. Utah ranked the best state in the U.S. followed by South Dakota and Minnesota.
Iowa REALTORS Offering Relief Grants for Homes Damaged by Severe Weather
(Des Moines, IA) — Iowa REALTORS is now accepting applications for relief funds being made available to Des Moines area homeowners whose homes were damaged by severe weather earlier this summer. Through a grant from the National Association of REALTORS, Iowa REALTORS will provide up to one-thousand dollars to help with mortgage or rent payments, or the cost of hotels for residents who had to evacuate. To qualify, homeowners must live in Jasper, Osceola, Polk or Story counties and have had their homes damaged from storms on June 28th and the following days.
Polk County Board Of Supervisors Approves Prairie Meadows Lease Through 2041
(Des Moines, IA) — The Polk County Board of Supervisors approved a new lease with Prairie Meadows. The new agreement lasts through 2041 and lists the annual rent at more than 24-million dollars. During a special meeting of the board Monday morning, Supervisor Frank Marasco said it will benefit the racetrack and casino as well as taypayers. The lease is subject to final approval by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission. Since opening in 1989, Prairie Meadows has generated two-and-a-half billion dollars in funding for projects in Central Iowa.
