SPM News

Coming up this week on The Exchange We hear about the investments made by Western Iowa Tech Community college in training the future workers of Iowa. A big part of the training is learning how to think critically and solve problems. And we talk with journalist and author Bob Woodward about parallels between the days leading up to the impeachment of President Richard Nixon and the possible impeachment of President Donald Trump. An Iowa historian is coming to Sioux City next week to tell the story

There’s a shortage of skilled workers in the state of Iowa, including here in Siouxland. On Monday, a local community college showcased some of the programs helping find solutions. A group of state lawmakers and members of the board of directors for Western Iowa Tech Community College tour a converted classroom. “They basically tore the carpet out, ground all of the floor removed the tables and we built a mini-production facility. Chris Sewalson is industrial maintenance coordinator for Western

A trio of Iowa officials is criticizing the Democratic National Committee for instituting polling and fundraising thresholds to participate in the presidential debates. They say the thresholds are artificial and they are winnowing the field of candidates and usurping the job of Iowa caucus-goers. In a conference call with reporters today, Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller and Iowa DNC member Jan Bauer said most Iowans are not tuning in to the Democratic presidential debates and have not yet made

101519 404 Iowa gamblers are getting the hang of legalized sports betting since it started in mid-August. Data from the state Racing and Gaming Commission indicates Iowans placed $47.1 million in bets during the first six weeks since the state authorized it. Of that total, $21.6 million in bets were made through casinos and $25.46 million were made online. The Iowa Economic Development Authority today announced that $10 million in Workforce Housing tax credits are now available for qualified

101519 304 With news of a tentative trade deal between the U.S. and China, Iowa U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley says he welcomes progress — but with a healthy amount of caution. Grassley, a Republican, says the initial information that’s being released on the accord “gives me hope, at least some hope” he tells Radio Iowa, that the partial deal can be turned into a “full deal.” “I’m also under no illusions that this is going to be easy,” Grassley says. “After decades of broken promises from the

People who live in Sioux City may soon be allowed to own pit bulls. The majority of the Sioux City council voted yesterday to repeal a long-time ban on pit bulls in the city. Sioux City Councilwoman Rhonda Capron supports repealing the ban. She owns a pit bull that was grandfathered in when the ban was passed 11-years ago. “ Just a great dog, always been a great dog. He’s getting a little older, a little slower, just like me.” Capron says she’s seen all kinds of dogs -- not just pit bulls -- nip

101419 504 The state budget director is urging caution as Iowa revenue growth is expected to be much slower this budget year than in the previous one. Members of the state revenue estimating panel pointed to recent changes in state and federal tax laws, unfinished trade agreements, and a slowdown in national economic growth. Department of Management Director David Roederer (roe-der) says he doesn’t think a recession is right around the corner, but he has concerns. While everything looks pretty

101419 404 Though plenty of hard work remains on a possible trade deal between the United States and China, the agriculture sector is finding hope in the tentative agreement the countries have announced. President Donald Trump says China has agreed to buy between 40 and 50 billion dollars in US agriculture products if the deal goes through. Iowa State University economics professor Wendong Zhang says that’s significantly more than any single-year of US exports to the Asian giant. But it’s not

101419 304 State revenue forecasters are predicting a significant slowdown in Iowa’s revenue growth compared to the previous fiscal year that ended June 30 th . David Underwood is a member of the revenue estimating panel. He says unfinished trade deals are a big concern for Iowa’s economy. “I’m disappointed that we at this point still have so much uncertainty hanging over us. Which makes it difficult for me to see the rosy side of it. And I guess looking at the numbers we’ve got before us today,

The Sioux City council will look at potentially throwing out the community’s pit bull ban. It was passed 11-years-ago. However, the city attorney says the ban doesn’t legally hold up and doesn’t comply with Fair Housing Regulations or the Americans with Disabilities act. Omaha's mayor says she supports a proposal to expand a tobacco tax to including vaping. The change would spur an estimated $1 million increase in the tobacco tax, which now raises about $3.5 million annually. Vaping retailers