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Iowa early News Headlines: Tue., March 13th 2018

News

March 13th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Trump administration is withdrawing a federal rule that would have required organic meat and egg producers to abide by stricter animal welfare standards. The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Monday it has withdrawn the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices final rule published in January 2017 by former President Barack Obama’s administration.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Republican majority leader of the Iowa Senate resigned Monday after a website published video showing the married lawmaker kissing a statehouse lobbyist. Sen. Bill Dix submitted a one-sentence resignation letter several hours after the liberal website Iowa Starting Line published its report about the Shell Rock Republican. Dix did not comment on the circumstances surrounding his resignation as majority leader and as state senator.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Officials say about 40 jobs will be lost with the closing of a Goldman Sachs call center in Cedar Rapids. Station KCRG reports that Goldman Sachs spokesman Andrew Williams confirmed the company is consolidating the work at its Salt Lake City operation. He also says the Cedar Rapids workers will be able to transfer to the Utah office.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The state says Iowa’s unemployment rate remained steady at 2.9 percent in January. Iowa Workforce Development said in a news release Monday that the December rate of 2.9 percent was revised upward from the preliminary rate of 2.8 percent reported Jan. 23. Iowa’s unemployment rate compares to a 4.1 percent national rate. The department says Iowa gained 900 jobs in January.