Briefs
Iowa’s continuing unemployment claims now top 170,000
More than 28,000 Iowa workers filed new claims for unemployment last week, state officials reported Thursday. The new claims bring the number of continuing weekly unemployment claims in Iowa to 170,990. The number of initial claims filed between April 19 and April 26 totaled 28,827, according to Iowa Workforce Development. All but 1,712 of those […]
Iowa seeks young, healthy poll workers
State election officials in Iowa are recruiting healthy, younger poll workers for the June 2 primary to take the place of older Iowans vulnerable to COVID-19. “We need younger, healthy Iowans to help staff our polling locations to ensure a clean, smooth election process,” Secretary of State Paul Pate said in a news release. “Also, […]
Iowans who refuse to return to work may lose unemployment benefits
Iowans who refuse to return to work when recalled by their employer after a layoff or furlough triggered by COVID-19 may not be entitled to unemployment benefits, state officials said Monday. The announcement by Iowa Workforce Development follows reports that Iowans working at meatpacking plants and grocery stores stores are refusing to report for work […]
Metro opera cancels season
The Des Moines Metro Opera has canceled the summer season due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The DMMO board of directors has voted to honor all 200 artists’ contracts for the season. Ticket holders may get a credit for next season, a full or partial refund or donate the value of the tickets to the opera. […]
Iowa AG accuses Orange City man of price gouging
The Iowa Attorney General’s Office is suing an Orange City man, accusing him of price gouging in the sale of more than 250 household items like toilet paper and paper towels. Michael Evan Noteboom, 52, of Orange City, is accused of overcharging for necessary products while ignoring warnings from the attorney general’s office, according to […]
Another 384 Iowans reported positive for COVID-19; six deaths
The number of Iowans who have tested positive for COVID-19 has increased by 384 and another six Iowans with the virus have died, the Iowa Department of Public Health reported Sunday. The state started ramping up COVID-19 testing Saturday with its first drive-through site associated with the Test Iowa program. People who wish to participate […]
Iowa state campground closures extended; parks open
State park campgrounds and other facilities will remain closed until at least May 14, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources announced Friday. The parks will remain open for day use, but shelters, playgrounds, lodges, restrooms, museums and visitors centers will be closed along with the campgrounds. Park visitors must stay at least 6 feet apart […]
ADM temporarily closes CR ethanol plant
Ag giant Archer Daniels Midland has closed its 90-employee Cedar Rapids corn ethanol plant for at least four months due to reduced demand during the COVID-19 pandemic. ADM said the workers will get medical benefits during the furloughs and may apply for state and federal unemployment benefits. They also may apply for other ADM jobs. […]
DART bus maintenance worker tests positive for COVID-19
A maintenance worker for the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) has tested positive for COVID-19, the agency reported Wednesday. The employee had most recently been working alone on a vehicle that had been out of service for months. The person first experienced symptoms Monday and has been off work for several days. DART […]
Iowa initial unemployment claims see smaller rise but remain high
Unemployment claims in Iowa continued to rise, with 27,912 new claims filed for the week ending April 18, Iowa Workforce Development reported Thursday. But the number of new claims was 36% less than the previous week’s. That included 26,192 Iowans and 1,720 people who work in Iowa but live in another state. The number of […]
Vote-by-mail begins Thursday for June 2 primary
Iowa’s vote-by-mail process is beginning this week for the June 2 primary. County auditors will begin mailing absentee ballots Thursday to voters who have requested them. Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate and county auditors have been encouraging all Iowa voters to vote by mail to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Pate’s office is mailing […]
Sagging economy hits U.S. architecture contracts with record drop
Demand for architecture services in the United States saw a record drop in March as the COVID-19 pandemic worsened, the American Institute of Architects reported Wednesday. AIA’s Architecture Billings Index for design services fell to 33.3 in March. Anything below 50 shows a shrinking market. The new project inquiries index fell to 23.8. The design […]