Iowa News

IOWA CAPITOL FOCUS        Iowa GOP lawmakers say focus not on gay marriage        DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Since Iowa’s legislative session started a month ago, Republican lawmakers have filed bills on school funding, taxes and abortion, but so far haven’t taken up gay marriage legislation.        Republicans have failed in recent years to begin the process of overturning the 2009 state Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage. Their efforts have been stopped by Senate Democrats, and with Democrats retaining control of that chamber, some question the value of introducing another gay marriage bill.        Republican Senator Dennis Guth says he planned to introduce legislation seeking an end to gay marriage, but he acknowledged it likely wouldn’t advance.        Asked if Republicans would file a bill seeking a constitutional amendment to outlaw gay marriage, House Majority Leader Linda Upmeyer noted, “It may or may not be.”

ICY FATAL        Iowa woman dies, 2 hurt in crash on icy road        (Information in the following story is from: Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, http://www.wcfcourier.com)        GRUNDY CENTER, Iowa (AP) – Iowa authorities say icy roads contributed to a one-vehicle accident that killed one woman and injured two other people.        The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports the accident happened early Sunday in Grundy County on Highway 14.        The Grundy County Sheriff’s office says the accident happened about three miles south of Parkersburg around 1:30 a.m.        The sheriff’s office says 44-year-old Deann Eilers of Holland lost control of her Jeep while driving south. The SUV went into a ditch and hit a utility pole.        One of the passengers, 44-year-old Sheila Cole of Grundy Center died in the crash. Eilers and another passenger, 49-year-old Harvin Rust of Grundy Center were injured.        A third passenger, 48-year-old Susan Halbach of Grundy Center, escaped injury.

ICE DEATH        Iowa man killed while ice fishing identified        ATLANTIC, Iowa (AP) – Iowa authorities have identified the man who died after falling through the ice on a private pond.        The Adair County Sheriff’s office tells Atlantic radio station KJAN-AM 62-year-old James Wallace of Casey died this weekend.        Wallace fell through the ice of a gravel pit in northern Adair County on Friday night, and his body was recovered Saturday morning.        The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says recent warmer temperatures have made ice conditions unpredictable, so people are urged to use caution on and around ice on lakes and ponds.

ETHANOL-CORN SHORTAGE        Corn shortage idles 20 ethanol plants nationwide        ST. LOUIS (AP) – The persistent drought is taking a toll on producers of ethanol, with corn becoming so scarce that nearly two dozen ethanol plants have been forced to halt production.        The Renewable Fuels Association, an ethanol industry trade group, provided data to The Associated Press showing that 20 of the nation’s 211 ethanol plants have ceased production over the past year, including five in January. While most expect to resume, they won’t likely do so until after 2013 corn is harvested in late August or September.        Industry experts don’t expect an ethanol shortage because millions of barrels are stockpiled and the remaining 191 plants are still producing.        But there is growing concern about the high price of corn and what happens if the drought lingers through another corn-growing season.

PRINCIPAL HEADQUARTERS        Principal plans $238.5M renovations in Des Moines        (Information in the following story is from: The Des Moines Register, http://www.desmoinesregister.com)        DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Principal Financial Group plans to invest $238.5 million in renovations to its downtown Des Moines headquarters.        The Des Moines Register reports Principal’s 10-year project could begin as soon as this summer. But the company wants to secure financial incentives from the city and possibly the state.        Principal senior vice president Ralph Eucher says the renovations remain only a proposal at this stage. The project hasn’t been approved by Principal’s board.        If the city approves, Principal could receive as much as $250,000 in incentives over 10 years.        The Des Moines City Council will discuss the project on Monday.        Principal employs more than 6,000 workers in the Des Moines area.

MIDAMERICAN ENERGY-NUCLEAR        Iowa utility still weighing future nuclear plant        DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – MidAmerican Energy is still considering building a new nuclear power plant as part of its long-term plans in Iowa.        The Des Moines Register reports MidAmerican President William Fehrman told state regulators the utility may try to build a nuclear plant at some point.        MidAmerican, which is owned by Warren Buffett’s Omaha, Nebraska based Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated, is converting coal plants at Council Bluffs and Sioux City to natural gas. And it has invested heavily in 2,200 megawatts of wind power capacity.        But Fehrman says he wants to make sure MidAmerican has a diverse mix of fuels, and he’s not convinced that natural gas will remain as cheap as it is now.        The utility will provide more details of its plans this summer in a report to regulators.

FEEDLOT SUCCESS        Experts offer tips to Neb., Iowa feedlot operators        GERING, Neb. (AP) – Feedlot operators in Nebraska and Iowa can get advice this month from experts about dealing with high feed costs and drought.        The annual beef feedlot roundtables will be held February 19th through 21st in Gering, Holdrege and West Point. The events will be broadcast to locations in Iowa.        The sessions will focus on the latest in feedlot health, nutrition and economics. The event is sponsored by University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, Iowa State University Extension and the Nebraska Beef Council.        The presenters include a mix of university and industry experts who will offer tips on dealing with the current high feed prices and what alternatives exist.        Registration costs $30 ahead of time or $40 at the door. More details are available online at H T T P colon slash slash Panhandle DOT UNL DOT edu.

DRAKE-EVANSVILLE        Ryan scores 33, Evansville tops Drake 84-78 in OT        EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) – Colt Ryan scored 33 points Sunday night and Evansville defeated Drake 84-78 in overtime Sunday night.        Ryan, who made a 3-pointer with 18 seconds to play in regulation to tie the game at 66, was 14 of 15 from the free-throw line – making all 10 of his attempts in overtime – for the Purple Aces (14-11, 7-6 Missouri Valley).        Ben Simons led the Bulldogs (11-13, 5-8) with 27 points on 9-of-12 shooting, including 5 of 7 from 3-point range in Evansville, Indiana.        Richard Carter scored 13 points, Seth VanDeest scored 11 and Jordan Clarke had 10 points and 14 rebounds for Drake.

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