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Iowa morning News Headlines – Fri.. Nov. 1st 2012

News

November 2nd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

SMITHLAND, Iowa (AP) — Investigators have ruled out an explosion as the cause of a fatal fire that destroyed an old gas station in Smithland in western Iowa. The owner, 76-year-old Robert Jones, was found dead outside the building on Wednesday. The results of an autopsy are pending. The state fire marshal’s office says officials are still investigating the fire, but they don’t believe it was caused by an explosion. John Ticer says explosions people heard were likely aerosol cans popping from the heat. Ticer says there are no signs of foul play. Smithland is about 40 miles southeast of Sioux City.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Fertilizer maker CF Industries Incorporated says it plans to invest $1.7 billion in Iowa to expand its facility on the south edge of Sioux City. Governor Terry Branstad says the project announced today will be the largest capital investment ever for the state of Iowa. The project will add new ammonia and granular urea production plants, creating 100 new jobs with an average wage of about $20 an hour.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Boss will help President Barack Obama make his closing case to voters in Iowa. First lady Michelle Obama will meet up with the president, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Bruce Springsteen and rapper Jay-Z later Monday in Des Moines. It’s set to be Obama’s last scheduled event of the campaign. Obama plans to return home Monday night to Chicago, where he and the first lady will watch Election Day results.

FORT DODGE, IOWA (AP) — Vice President Joe Biden is making a pitch for bipartisanship, telling voters in Iowa that it’s reassuring to see Democrats and Republicans working together in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. Campaigning yesterday in Fort Dodge, Biden said Americans always work better when they work together.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An ex-Des Moines police officer has been given three years of probation on a weapons charge in violation of his probation in a drug case. Brandon Singleton was fired after he was caught with drugs in his patrol car after he hit a parked car last April. He pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of drug possession and was given a deferred judgment and placed on probation for a year. Yesterday a Polk County judge sentenced Singleton to probation, at the request of both the prosecutor and defense attorney.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State senior guard Chris Babb has been suspended for three games for violating team rules. Cyclones coach Fred Hoiberg says Babb won’t play in Sunday’s exhibition against Minnesota State or in regular season games against Southern and Alabama A&M. Hoiberg declined yesterday any further comment on why Babb is suspended.