Southeast Iowa Mayor Says He Believes He Knows Location Of $15B Steel Plant
(Burlington, IA) — A southeast Iowa mayor has a good idea where the mega-steel plant announced this week will be built. Burlington Mayor Jon Billups tells a Quad Cities TV station that Wever, Iowa, about five miles south of Burlington, already has heavy-duty utilities and BNSF railway access in place, built for a major fertilizer operation there. Despite having purchased no land and obtained no permits or regulatory approvals, Billups says he believes the plant will be up and running by its 2030 target date. State lawmakers will return to the Capitol on Friday to debate tax incentives for the planned 15-billion-dollar project.
Two Des Moines Metro Communities Without Water Wednesday Night Due To Water Main Breaks
(Des Moines, IA) — Two communities in the Des Moines metro were left without water service on Wednesday night due to water main breaks. The City of Woodward reported losing its water service after a main break near Woodward-Granger High School just after 7 p.m. Just two hours earlier, the City of Carlisle, located about 45 minutes southeast of Woodward, told all residents to stop using their water immediately due to a main break. Neither city has announced a timeline for service restoration, but both say a boil order will be in place once the issue is resolved.
Study: Demographics, Behavior Attributed To Cancer Risks In Iowa
(Iowa City, IA) — A new study into Iowa’s soaring cancer rates finds most are caused by demographic and behavioral risk factors. A new one-year study by the University of Iowa examined the state’s leading cancer types. The research shows 76 percent of excess cases are due to risk factors such as age, gender, UV exposure, radon levels, and alcohol and tobacco use. Researchers believe prevention efforts will reduce the number of cancer cases in Iowa, which has the second-highest rate in the US. The second year of the study will focus on genetic and environmental factors. We have more on our website.
Marshalltown Man Arrested In Baby’s Death
(Marshalltown, IA) — Marshalltown Police have arrested a man in connection with the suspicious death of an infant. 19-year-old Yonatan Vasques-Avalos was arrested Wednesday morning on charges of first-degree murder, child endangerment causing death, and domestic assault with strangulation. The charges stem from the death of a baby on August 29th. The arrest comes after a multi-agency investigation.
Blank Park Zoo Begins Daily Livestream As It Expects Second Giraffe Born This Year
(Des Moines, IA) — The Blank Park Zoo is expecting another baby giraffe. After more than a million people tuned in live on Facebook to watch the last time a giraffe at the zoo had a baby, the zoo has decided to bring the livestream back. Alex Payne with Blank Park Zoo says the zoo’s reticulated giraffe, Zola, has been moved into a special stall designed for a safe delivery, and she could give birth any time within the next couple of weeks. Payne says the baby giraffe could come any time within the next few days or even the next couple of weeks.
Pollard Leaving Iowa State Office This Week
(Ames, IA) — Iowa State Athletic Director Jamie Pollard is taking another step toward retirement. Pollard said on the Cyclone Coaches Corner Podcast that this will be his final week working from the office. Pollard announced in June that he would retire this year. Iowa State Athletics says he will continue working remotely until a successor is named. Pollard is the longest-serving athletic director in Iowa State history.
