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(Radio Iowa) — The president of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) hit on some familiar themes during his address in Iowa, Wednesday, on state of manufacturing. Jay Timmons spoke in Pella at Vermeer Manufacturing, and says with all the advances in the industry — people are still important. “One of the biggest misperceptions is that automation is coming for our jobs. But manufacturers know the truth—technology makes us safer, more effective,” Timmons says. “Some jobs will shift, often to higher-skilled, higher-tech positions, But people, people will always be what make this industry possible.”

Jay Timmons – NAM

He says they are working to change the thinking on manufacturing. “Our members tell us this is their top concern—educating Americans on these opportunities…and finding workers for the hundreds of thousands of manufacturing jobs open today and the four-point-six million jobs that will be open over the coming eight years,” Timmons says. He says the association is launching a program called “Creators Wanted” that will go on a our mobile tour this spring to show some 250-thosuand Americans a hands-on experiences that demonstrate the high-tech opportunities in modern manufacturing and “open their minds” to what the industry offers. Timmons says it’s an important part of building on the success of the manufacturing industry.

“As we start this new decade, manufacturers are indeed at a turning point. The N-A-M’s most recent quarterly Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey found 68percent of manufacturers have a positive outlook for their businesses,” Timmons says. “You might say, two out of three sounds good. But in mid-2018, we were at record high levels of optimism at 90 percent.” Timmons says the survey came before the recent developments in the China and U-S-M-C-A trade deals, so the optimism is expected to increase. He says the industry needs continued support from government. “If our elected leaders choose to enact policies that advance manufacturers’ priorities, our industry is prepared to lift up our entire country,” Timmons says.

Timmons took questions after his speech and told the audience the one thing people can do to help is go to the polls. “Voting matters. Not only that — but speaking up mattters. Coming and talking to elected officials is important — but it’s really important to talk to candidates — because while they are on the campaign trail, they are not only forming their agenda, but they are making promises,” Timmons explained. Timmons says it’s human nature to want to carry out those promises, so the voters need to express their opinions when they have the chance.

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

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Federal officials investigating practices at two Iowa care centers say they plan to visit next month and have asked the state for extensive documents. The state learned in November that the U.S. Department of Justice is investigating the Glenwood Resource Center for possible violations of patient civil rights and the Woodward Resource Center for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Federal officials say in a letter dated Dec. 19 they want lists of former Glenwood employees, residents, grievances involving residents and charts for everyone who has died in the past year. The centers have a mission of helping people with intellectual disabilities.

WASHINGTON (AP) — With all eyes on Democrats as they prepare to cast their ballots in Iowa’s kickoff caucuses, President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign is working to try to persuade Republican voters that they should turn out at their caucus sites, too. The push is complete with a presidential rally next week, GOP-led training sessions and a new video featuring the president’s daughter-in-law. It makes clear that the campaign is trying to avoid the optics of empty Republican rooms on caucus night juxtaposed with Democratic gatherings brimming with enthusiastic voters and keep the focus on Trump.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Pete Buttigieg finds himself in a place that he could hardly have contemplated when he began running for president a year ago: He likely cannot finish lower than second in the Iowa caucuses if he wants to advance in the Democratic presidential nominating campaign. Each of the top four candidates within reach of the lead in Iowa faces his or her own version of the challenge. But the 38-year-old former mayor of a midsize Midwestern city has a particularly high burden of proof in his bid to win the right to face President Donald Trump.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa Finance Authority employee has sued the state for wage discrimination and sex discrimination, alleging the agency pays women significantly more than him. Steve Ferguson says in court documents filed Monday in state court that former IFA Director David Jamison was initially responsible for paying women who do the same work thousands of dollars more than he makes but that the practice continued after Jamison was fired for sexual harassment in 2018. Jamison was known for giving women he liked large pay raises and promotions. Ferguson seeks money for emotional distress and lost wages and benefits.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Federal officials investigating practices at two Iowa care centers say they plan to visit next month and have asked the state for extensive documents. The state learned in November that the U.S. Department of Justice is investigating the Glenwood Resource Center for possible violations of patient civil rights and the Woodward Resource Center for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Federal officials say in a letter dated Dec. 19 they want lists of former Glenwood employees, residents, grievances involving residents and charts for everyone who has died in the past year. The centers have a mission of helping people with intellectual disabilities.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa Finance Authority employee has sued the state for wage discrimination and sex discrimination, alleging the agency pays women significantly more than him. Steve Ferguson says in court documents filed Monday in state court that former IFA Director David Jamison was initially responsible for paying women who do the same work thousands of dollars more than he makes but that the practice continued after Jamison was fired for sexual harassment in 2018.

Jamison was known for giving women he liked large pay raises and promotions. Ferguson seeks money for emotional distress and lost wages and benefits.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – A judge is pausing the prosecution of a man charged with killing University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts while the Iowa Supreme Court consider whether to grant a rare pretrial appeal. Judge Joel Yates on Wednesday stayed the first-degree murder case against Cristhian Bahena-Rivera, the farmhand accused of killing Tibbetts in July 2018.

The stay will continue until the Iowa Supreme Court decides whether to grant Rivera’s appeal of a decision issued by Yates last month that allowed key evidence to be presented to jurors. It’s uncertain whether Rivera’s Feb. 4 trial will proceed as planned.