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Iowa (early) News Headlines: Mon., April 9 2012

News

April 9th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) — Pioneer Hi-Bred is set to open a new research center in Johnston, bringing 400 new jobs to the area. The company will hold a grand-opening celebration for the $40 million facility today. Governor Terry Branstad, U.S. Senator Charles Grassley and other dignitaries are expected to attend. The center will be used to research plant genetics.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Council Bluffs has gotten $1 million in federal aid for flood repairs and expects to receive another four to $5 million by month’s end. Finance director Art Hill says that the city is pleased with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s response to aid requests. Council Bluffs spent $19.5 million to fight the rising Missouri River for several months last year.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Volunteers from across the state have started to clean up homeless camps in Des Moines. Dozens of people took part in Saturday’s trash pickup. The cleanup was sponsored by Joppa Outreach, a nonprofit that aids the homeless in Des Moines. Volunteers visited about a dozen camps on Saturday. Another cleanup is set for next weekend.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The 2012 U.S. Olympic team wrestling trials are two weeks away. But there’s already interest in bringing the event back to Iowa City in 2016. The president of the Iowa City-Coralville Convention and Visitors Bureau says there is “a real good chance” USA Wrestling will want Iowa City to host the event again.