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Iowa early News Headlines: Tue., Nov. 6th 2012

News

November 6th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — President Barack Obama has asked Iowa voters to help him finish what they started in the state four years ago. Obama spoke to more than 20,000 people last night at his last political rally as a candidate. Obama’s 2008 caucus victory in Iowa jumpstarted his road to the White House.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Redistricting and well-funded challengers has forced each member of the state’s House delegation to work hard for another two-year term in Washington. All of Iowa’s four congressional races are seen as competitive in today’s general election. Voters will be tasked with deciding which party will control the Legislature and whether to retain an Iowa Supreme Court justice who supported gay marriage.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Three groups hoping to develop a land-based casino in the Sioux City area have submitted bids to state gambling regulators. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission had a deadline yesterday for applications for Woodbury County’s gambling license. State regulators decided to replace the riverboat casino with a land-based casino and put the license up for bid. The commission will award it in April.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Governor Terry Branstad wants a further review of state salaries to address gender pay equity and competitiveness concerns. A new salary database shows Iowa employed nearly 33,000 women last year with a median salary of almost $46,000. That’s 91 percent of the median salary of $50,000 for the 27,000 men in state government jobs. Branstad begins talks with state employee unions next month on new contracts slated to take effect in July 2013.