A report from the Iowa Association of Realtors shows the number of homes listed for sale dropped by more than 11% in January compared to one year ago. But association president, Krista Clark, says listings were up compared to December.
Rising interest rates help slow things down in the housing market — but they appear to have leveled out.
Clark says December was a pretty slow month as far as pending sales, and in January, that trend kind of turn that around a little bit, with people are back out looking and ready to make a move.
Most Republicans in the Iowa Senate have passed a bill to provide new liability protection for the trucking industry. The shield also would extend to lawsuits over wrecks involving other commercial vehicles, like delivery trucks, cranes, utility vehicles and farm tractors, according to Radio Iowa.
Non-economic pain and suffering damages in lawsuits over accidents would be limited to $2 million, while payments to cover medical expenses, economic losses and punitive damages would remain unlimited.
A new study shows the three state universities add $14.9 billion to the state economy. The study from the labor market analytics firm Lightcast shows the contributions from the University of Iowa, Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa were equal to approximately 7.1% of the total gross state product of the state. The study notes university activity supports 198,837 jobs in the state, which is one out of 10 jobs in Iowa, and returns nearly three dollars for every taxpayer dollar spent.
Radio Iowa reports the study also outlines the impact of student education, alumni, and extension and outreach services. The universities have touted their impact on the state as they seek more state dollars from the legislature and governor.
A bill that would have created a Center for American Exceptionalism at Black Hills State University failed to obtain a two-thirds majority vote on Wednesday night in the South Dakota House of Representatives.
The Argus Leader reports the curriculum the center creates would explain “why America rose to greatness and how to keep it that way, and (teach) students to balance critical thinking with love of country." It would also includeSouth Dakota history with an American Indian tribes component. Opponents of the bill included four education lobbyists, who largely argued the bill was unnecessary, and a representative from the Bureau of Finance and Management, who said the bill doesn’t account for ongoing funding needs.
Officials with Prestage Foods of Iowa are announcing a joint venture that’s being called Prestage Wholestone, according to Radio Iowa.
The collaboration is with Wholestone Farms of Nebraska. The farmer-owned pork processing facility based in Fremont, Nebraska. Prestage Wholestone will operate the two plant locations in Eagle Grove and Fremont with a daily single shift harvest capacity of approximately 21,000 head per day. The company says the Eagle Grove facility will remain managed by the Prestage family.
