DES MOINES, Iowa, Dec. 8 -- Drake University issued the following news release: The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University has named Iowan Lisa Bluder as the 2024 Robert D. and Billie Ray Pillar of Character Award recipient. Lisa Bluder, head Women's Basketball Coach at the University of Iowa, will accept the award on April 19 at The Ray Center's All-Star Evening in West Des Moines. An All-Star Evening is presented by Hy-Vee and benefits The Ray Center's programs, including CHARAC  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 -- The Democratic National Committee issued the following news release: This week, whether they were on the debate stage in Alabama or at a town hall in Iowa, the MAGA extremists running for president continued to spew their unpopular and losing agenda that would rip away Americans' health care, undermine our democracy, and raise costs for working families. Meanwhile, DNC Chair Jaime Harrison hit the airwaves to share a very different vision for America by outlining President  more

DES MOINES, Iowa, Dec. 8 -- The Iowa Economic Development Authority issued the following news on Dec. 7, 2023: At today's meeting, the Enhance Iowa Board awarded $1,400,000 in Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) grants to an event center in North Liberty and an indoor aquatic center in Ames. Additionally, the board awarded $503,572 in Sports Tourism grants to promote the National Junior High Finals Rodeo event in Des Moines and the Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend in Newton. Details for the proj  more

DES MOINES, Iowa, Dec. 8 -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issued the following news release: DNR staff work with individuals, businesses and communities to help them protect our natural resources by complying with state and federal laws. This approach is very effective. In the few cases where compliance cannot be achieved, the DNR issues enforcement actions. The following list summarizes recent enforcement actions. Find the entire, original orders on DNR's website at www.iowadnr.gov/  more

DES MOINES, Iowa, Dec. 8 -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issued the following news release: The DNR Air Quality Bureau has the following draft permits up for review. The permits help protect Iowans' health and the air where we live. DNR's permitting staff review the applications to ensure facilities comply with state and federal air quality standards. The public has the right and is encouraged to comment on draft permits. DNR considers public comments before finalizing the permits.   more

DES MOINES, Iowa, Dec. 8 -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issued the following news release on Dec. 7, 2023: The Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will have their monthly business meeting Dec. 19. The meeting is open to the public. The meeting starts at 10 a.m. at the Wallace State Office Building, Conference Room 2 North, 502 East Ninth St, Des Moines. The public can also attend via video conference or by phone. To join by   more

DES MOINES, Iowa, Dec. 8 -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issued the following news release: Iowa's Nonpoint Source Management Plan Vision document and public presentation are now available for public review and comment on the DNR Watershed Improvement webpage: https://www.iowadnr.gov/Environmental-Protection/Water-Quality/Watershed-Improvement/Nonpoint-Source-Plan The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency requires each state to update its Nonpoint Source (NPS) Management Plan every  more

DES MOINES, Iowa, Dec. 8 -- Iowa Secretary of State Paul D. Pate issued the following news release on Dec. 7, 2023: Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate today announced the Iowa Youth Straw Poll will take place across the state on Tuesday, January 9. Less than one week before Iowans participate in the Iowa presidential caucuses, thousands of Iowa students will make their voices heard in the Iowa Youth Straw Poll and vote for their preferred candidates for U.S. President. The Iowa Youth Straw Poll  more

AMES, Iowa, Dec. 8 -- Iowa State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences issued the following news release: Growing up in the small, rural community of Ryan, Iowa, Grace Reiss knew she wanted to gain international experience while in college. She has met that goal, and along the way, her outgoing and friendly personality has fostered a welcoming environment at Iowa State University and around the world. Those efforts earned her the fall 2023 College of Agriculture and Life Scienc  more

JACKSON, Mississippi, Dec. 9 -- The Mississippi Department of Education issued the following news release: Mississippi is one of seven states to receive an A grade in the 2023 National Report Card on State Efforts to Improve Financial Literacy in High Schools released this month. Other states receiving A grades are Alabama, Iowa, Missouri, Tennessee, Utah and Virginia. The report was produced by the Center for Financial Literacy at Champlain College in Vermont. The center issued A grades to s  more

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa, Dec. 8 -- The University of Northern Iowa issued the following news release: The University of Northern Iowa (UNI) Family Business Center will offer a conversation about "Balancing a Legacy Family Business and a Next Gen's New Venture" on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024, at 8 a.m. Central Standard Time via Zoom. Matthew Cathy, the youngest member of the third generation in the Cathy family, will share his experience growing up in the famous family of Chick-fil-A and now leading his o  more