w/ Ric Hanson

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – The Argosy riverboat casino on Sioux City has sent layoff notices to all of its more than 300 workers. The notices were sent Wednesday in accordance with a federal law that requires employers with more than 100 employees to provide at least 60 days’ notice of a workplace closing or mass layoff. But Argosy’s parent company, Penn National Gaming Co., says it is not ending its fight to keep open the casino.

The Argosy’s pending closure stems from the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission’s decision to allow a land-based casino in downtown Sioux City to replace the Argosy. Penn National lost its bid to operate the land-based casino to Sioux City Entertainment, which is building and will operate a Hard Rock Casino.

Details are expected to be released later this morning with regard to a pursuit that took place late Wednesday afternoon, in Montgomery County. The chase ended near Red Oak, with the suspect having crashed his vehicle a short time after it ran over stop-sticks designed to deflate the tires. After the vehicle crashed, the suspect took off on foot but was quickly captured. He was taken into custody at around 4:45-p.m.

We’ll have more information later, as it becomes available.

At 5:54 a.m. today, House Speaker Kraig Paulsen asked the House to vote to adjourn for the year. The Senate RULES Committee is meeting, considering a resolution that would give the Senate Oversight Committee the power to subpoena witnesses. Republicans are objecting. Democrats in the Senate say they need to compel witnesses to come forward to talk about Branstad Administration actions that Democrats are questioning.

(Radio Iowa)

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A monthly economic index for nine Midwestern and Plains states hit a three-year high in April, suggesting more economic growth over the next three to six months. A report issued Thursday says the overall Mid-America Business Conditions Index rose to 60.4 from 58.2 in March.
Looking six months ahead, the business confidence portion of the overall index jumped to 64.2 in April from 59.0 in March.

The survey results from supply managers are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests growth, while a score below that suggests decline.

The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

After hours of behind-the-scenes negotiations, the Iowa House has approved a bill that would legalize possession of an oil derived from the marijuana plant as a treatment of severe epilepsy.  The bill passed shortly after 3:30 a.m. on a 75-to-20 vote. Representative Jarad, a Republican from Washington, was the bill’s floor manager. “We’ve been working on this bill an awful lot today,” Klein said. “Where we stand right now is I think that Iowans can be very proud. We’ve come together between the parties, between different factions, urban (and) rural legislators to put together what I believe is a good piece of legislation.”

Representative Bob Kressig, a Democrat from Cedar Falls, credited a small group of parents, mostly mothers, who have epileptic children for lobbying legislators day after day on this issue. “What we’re offering today is hope for these families,” Kressig said. A pharmacist who is a member of the House estimates about 100 patients in Iowa might get a doctor’s recommendation to take the oil if this proposal becomes law. The lifespan of children diagnosed with intractable epilepsy is dramatically shortened not only by the condition, but by the powerful prescription and experimental drugs they take to try to reduce the duration and intensity of their seizures.

The Iowa Senate has approved the bill to decriminalize cannabis oil. The House this morning (Thursday) made some changes in the bill before passing it shortly after 3:30 a.m. Senators must review the bill again and vote to approve the alterations.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

A fifth-grade teacher at the Treynor Community School District has been placed on paid administrative leave. The Daily Non Pareil reports Mike Travis, who also is an assistant softball coach, is under investigation by the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Jeff Danker said Travis had been placed on leave following allegations of misconduct with at least one student.

Treynor School District Attorney Joseph Thornton told the Omaha World-Herald the issues with Travis do not involve any current students. He said it was basically a “personnel matter,” but declined to comment further.

Danker said an investigation is underway he hoped it will be wrapped-up next week. No charges have been filed.

Nearly a dozen young professionals in Atlantic were recognized Wednesday for their achievements and commitment to excellence in their profession and/or community. The 11 individuals received their awards during the Inaugural Young Professionals of Atlantic (YPA) Dessert and Luncheon held at the Atlantic Golf and Country Club.

YPA logo

The YPA is comprised of a group of persons ages 21-to-40, whose mission is to “Connect, engage, and attract young leaders into the Atlantic Community while promoting Atlantic and the surrounding area.” The organization has been established in Atlantic for several years.

YPA Vice-President Lucas Mosier said the young professionals who received awards Wednesday had been nominated in 11 different categories including: education, food/drink/hospitality, health, non-profit/government, professional services, retail/sales, technology, skilled labor/trade, Agriculture, and start-up entrepreneurs.

YPA Award Winners

The winners in their respective categories include: Media-Bennett Blake-Meredith Communications; Education: Nick Ross, Teacher and Coach at Atlantic High School; Food/Drink/and Hospitality-Jacob Weitzel-Owner of Weitzel’s Restaurant; Health-Brad Peerbolte-Peerbolte Chiropractic; Government-John Lund-Assistant to the Atlantic City Administrator; Professional Services-Tom Welchans-Certified CPA, with Gronewald-Bell-Kyhnn & Company; Retail-Hans Krengel, Howards Clothing; Technology-Matthew Klein, Communications Systems and IT Coordinator for AMU; Skilled Labor-Andy Elings, Camblin Mechanical; Agriculture-Ryan Houser, Lindeman Tractor; and Entrepreneur-Brandi Eckels-Owner of, Lou Lou’s Boutique.
And the Young Professional Choice Workplace Award was presented to the Cambridge Law Firm. The award recognizes a company  that effectively attracts, retains and develops young professionals.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Republican Rep. Matt Windschitl has been elected speaker pro tem, a top leadership position in the Iowa House. The 30-year-old Windschitl, of Missouri Valley, replaces retiring Rep. Steve Olson, of DeWitt, who resigned the post Wednesday.

Windschitl was first elected to the House in 2006 and has served as an assistant majority leader for the past five years. The speaker pro tem is part of the leadership team and presides over the chamber when the house speaker is absent.

Reps. Jarad Klein, a Keota farmer, and Lee Hein, a Montezuma farmer, were elected assistant majority leaders.