An August survey of business supply managers suggested slow or no economic growth over the next several months in nine Midwest and Plains states, in part because of trade skirmishes. The Mid-America Business Conditions index dropped below growth neutral in August to hit 49.3, compared with 52.0 in July. The index had remained above growth neutral for 32 straight months. The survey results are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50

083019 532 It looks like virtual caucuses won’t be happening next year in Iowa. The Iowa Democratic Party is scrapping the process that would have allowed participants to caucus with their phones. The decision comes following recommendations from the Democratic National Committee. State party chair Troy Price says they take the DNC’s concerns over hacking seriously. But at the end of the day, I don’t believe that we should be developing a system that would put us in a position to have anyone who

083019504 The Iowa National Guard is ready to help with recovery from Hurricane Dorian in Florida once it becomes clear what kind of response is needed. Major General Ben Corell was recently appointed as commander of the Iowa National Guard. Speaking on IPR’s River to River, Corell said he’s been in touch with guard leaders coordinating the response and is waiting to see how the storm develops. We need to see what the damage is from this incident, what the needs are, who can supply what.

083019 432 It looks like virtual caucuses won’t be happening next year in Iowa. The Iowa Democratic Party is scrapping the process that would have allowed participants to caucus with their phones. The decision comes following recommendations from the Democratic National Committee. State party chair Troy Price says they take the DNC’s concerns over hacking seriously. But at the end of the day, I don’t believe that we should be developing a system that would put us in a position to have anyone who

083019 404 The Democratic National Committee recommends Iowa scrap its plans for telephone-based virtual caucuses next year, citing security concerns. they had asked the state party to make Iowa’s first-in-the-nation ’s caucuses more accessible. The caucuses are regularly criticized for not being inclusive. And the Iowa Democratic Party came up with a plan in February to give participants the opportunity to make decisions via phone. Troy Price is the state party chair. The DNC got to a point

The Democratic National Committee will recommend scrapping state plans to offer virtual, telephone-based caucuses in 2020 due to security concerns, sources tell The Associated Press. The final choice whether to allow virtual caucuses in Iowa and Nevada is up to the party's powerful Rules and Bylaws Committee. The state parties had planned to allow some voters to cast caucus votes over the telephone in February 2020 instead of showing up at traditional caucus meetings. Iowa and Nevada created the

082919 532 Local law enforcement is warning state and federal officials that meth is increasingly an issue in rural Iowa. Prosecutors, investigators, and officers met with Governor Kim Reynolds and White House Drug Czar Jim Carroll on Thursday. Iowa Department of Public Safety Commissioner Stephan Bayens [STEVEN BAY-yenz] told them the drug trade is changing in rural communities. For the first time in my law enforcement career, rural Iowans no longer are coming to the metropolitan areas like Des

082919 432 This afternoon at five p.m. is the deadline for local candidates to file to run for local offices in Sioux City and the school district. Veteran Sioux City school board members Mike McTaggart and Jackie Warnstadt won't run for re-election this fall. Miyuki Nelson, who was appointed by the board to fill an unexpired term last year, will seek her first four-year term. First-term member David Gleiser said last week he's not ready to make a decision on reelection, as he mulls his family

082919 404 This afternoon at five p.m. is the deadline for local candidates to file to run for local offices in Sioux City and the school district. So far, Sioux City Mayor Bob Scott is running for reelection. Scott has been mayor of Sioux City for 14 years. Former ESL teacher Maria Rundquist, who teaches Northeast Community College and runs a translation business, is the only other mayoral candidate to file so far. The Woodbury County Auditor’s office says there will be a primary election

An official with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says a study is needed to consider changes to flood-control measures along the Missouri River south of Sioux City. A U.S. Senate field hearing took place in North Sioux City yesterday. The commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Northwestern Division talked after the meeting. Gen. Peter Helminger says a study could call for actions such as changing the Missouri River channel in the Sioux City area to letting the river spread out and carry