SPM News

052019 404 Xcel Energy said today the Minneapolis-based utility plans to retire its two remaining coal plants in the Upper Midwest by 2030, a decade earlier than scheduled, bringing praise from environmental groups. The company also announced plans to expand wind and solar energy, use cleaner natural gas, and operate its carbon-free nuclear plant in Monticello, Minnesota, until at least 2040. That would extend by a decade the life of the nuclear plant, currently scheduled to be retired in 2030,

Farmers, ranchers and homeowners throughout Nebraska are likely to get more state money next year to offset their property tax bills. But, it won't make a big difference for many people and that's leaving some lawmakers exasperated as this year's legislative session nears its end. The new state budget awaiting a final vote in the Legislature provides a major boost to the Nebraska property tax credit, which helps reduce the total tax bill sent to property owners. For many property owners, the tax

The 79 th annual Tulip Festival is underway in Orange City, Iowa. There’s more than wooden shoes hitting the freshly-washed main street or Central Avenue as they call it in Orange City. “I love it. Everything about it, the people are friendly, perfect weather” The community of 6,000 attracts an estimated 100,000 people during a three-day duration, including Kathy Van Bruggen from Spencer. “I’m from Lake Charles, LA.. moved up here over 30-years ago.” Kathy followed her husband to northwest, Iowa

Morningside Days kicked off Thursday, April 16th with a parade that also honored the memory of a man who cared about the community. Kristi Nathaniel spent the evening with her son Brian in lawn chairs along a parade route. “I’ll be honest I love this time of year. So, I get very get excited about Morningside Days and the Morningside Days Parade. I just love parades.” Morningside Days started in 1950 as a way to help promote local businesses and people who live here. REPORTER: What do you like

051719 532 The Trump administration reached agreements with Canada and Mexico to lift tariffs on metals imported from those countries. The deal resolves a yearlong standoff that inflamed North Atlantic tensions and complicated efforts to ratify a revised trade deal. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and U.S. Senator Joni Ernst praised the deal. Ernst issued a statement saying the deal was huge news for Iowa, especially the state’s farmers and manufacturers. Iowa’s senior U.S. Senator met with residents

051719 504 Iowa's unemployment rate remained at 2.4% in April for the 10th month in a row. Iowa Workforce Development reported Friday the jobless rate held steady, where it has been since July 2018. Iowa has the nation's third-lowest rate, behind only Vermont and North Dakota, and tied with New Hampshire. Nebraska's unemployment rate inched up to 2.9% in April, even though more people entered or re-entered the job market, the state labor commissioner said Friday. The Nebraska figure had been 2.8

051719 432 Iowa’s senior U.S. Senator visited business owners and residents impacted by flooding in eastern Iowa Friday. Republican Senator Chuck Grassley heard from community leaders in the cities of Davenport and Buffalo, which were hit by record high crests of the Mississippi River. Grassley says he’s pushing for federal disaster aid in Congress. Senate leaders have set a deadline of Memorial Day. 0517grassley: 17 “We’re going to have a vote one way or the other, we should not go home for the

051719 404 The Trump administration has reached agreements with Canada and Mexico to lift tariffs on metals imported from those countries, resolving a yearlong standoff that inflamed North Atlantic tensions and complicated efforts to ratify a revised trade deal. Gov. Kim Reynolds commented on the agreement today, saying that it represents a significant step forward for Iowa’s agriculture and manufacturing industries.” Mexico and Canada are Iowa’s top two trading partners, and the removal of

The Iowa Supreme Court has upheld a 2017 law that removed bargaining rights for many state employees. In cases filed by the Iowa State Education Association and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the court ruled 4-3 today the law withstands constitutional challenges. Justices concluded the Legislature was rational in giving certain public safety employees the right to bargain over many more issues than those in unions in which fewer than one-third of members are

051619 532 Rural bankers say they are slightly less confident about the economy than they were last month. That’s according to The Rural Mainstreet survey for May. The survey's confidence index, is at its lowest level in almost two years. The report released today shows the survey's overall index dropping from 50 in April to 48.5 this month. Any score above 50 suggests a growing economy, while a score below 50 indicates a shrinking economy. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the