DECORAH, Iowa, Sept. 29 -- Luther College issued the following news: President Jenifer K. Ward has announced the appointment of Bill Smith as vice president for communication, beginning Oct. 16. Smith comes to the college from Arkansas State University, where he has served since 2013, most recently as chief communications officer. At Luther, Smith will serve as the head of the newly constituted Division of Communication, encompassing the offices of marketing and communications as well as campu  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee issued the following news release: Zach Nunn and House Republicans are committed to shutting down the federal government, which Nunn has admitted "will cost every Iowan more." But now, he's trying to minimize the impact of a shutdown and claim "most things will continue as normal." As his trainwreck of a party barrels toward a shutdown in less than two days, Nunn even bragged that they're on a "pathway to success." Here's  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, Sept. 29 -- The Illinois Commerce Commission issued the following news release: The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has approved multiple projects to improve highway-rail safety in the Peoria Metro Area. Stipulated Agreements 2291 and 2292 require new automatic flashing light signals and gate installations at 10 Iowa Interstate Railroad crossings in Marshall and Peoria Counties. The improvements will be made at County Line Road (AAR/DOT #603966H) near Bureau; at Linco  more

AMES, Iowa, Sept. 29 -- Iowa State University issued the following news release: Humans from the very beginning have found beauty in the rhythms of nature, but one Iowa State University professor is turning the data produced by plants and the environment into a literal work of art. Johnny DiBlasi, an assistant professor of art and visual culture, recently received a $10,000 grant from the Iowa Arts Council to develop "Transcoded Ecologies," a project that fuses artificial intelligence and plan  more