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Posted August 11, 2014in Iowa Watchdog

No receipts, no problem: Consulting firm paid $200K for undocumented expenses

DES MOINES, Iowa — They say college is nothing like the real world. The state university system’s Board of Regents is proving that lack of realism isn’t confined to undergraduates. [...]

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Posted August 06, 2014in Iowa Watchdog

Raises for everyone, just don’t ask how

DES MOINES, Iowa — U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley knew he was on safe ground when he made a campaign stop at La Querica in Norwalk, where he promoted his plan to [...]

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Posted August 06, 2014in Iowa Watchdog

Shirts or shoes? Iowa’s sales tax holiday wrapped in confusion

DES MOINES, Iowa — People can now buy a bowling shirt in Iowa without paying sales tax. But if you want to buy tax-free bowling shoes to go with that shirt, you’re [...]

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Posted August 06, 2014in Iowa Watchdog
  • Comments Off on State budget review points out pension problem

State budget review points out pension problem

DES MOINES, Iowa — There’s good news and bad news in the new state budget. First, the new state budget spends $171 million more than it takes in during the [...]

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Posted August 01, 2014in Iowa Watchdog

Sioux City tries to steer around anti-speed camera law

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Sioux City Police Department’s attempt to squeeze every dollar out of the city’s speed cameras may cause it to lose access to important information on [...]

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Posted July 25, 2014in Iowa Watchdog

Federal officials won’t answer questions about immigrant children in Iowa

DES MOINES, Iowa — An irked Gov. Terry Branstad and U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, are still waiting to learn the whereabouts of 139 immigrant children placed without notice by [...]

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Posted July 24, 2014in Iowa Watchdog

Iowa county’s voter rolls filled with deceased residents

DES MOINES, Iowa — Betty Ellis doesn’t know why 100 dead people were registered to vote in Wright County. That’s a problem. Ellis is the county auditor and in charge [...]

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Posted July 22, 2014in Iowa Watchdog

Snake handler can’t charm fearful neighbors, who shut down his business

AMES, Iowa — The door to the small room at the back of Kyle Thompson’s basement is locked. A sign on the door warns visitors what’s inside — snakes, more [...]

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Posted July 18, 2014in Iowa Watchdog

MN commissioner’s moonlighting raises conflict of interest questions

ST. PAUL, Minn. — His resume posted on the Iowa Public Employment Relations Board website stands out: “Conducted hundreds of grievance hearings and mediation sessions.” So does his  daily fee: [...]

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Posted July 11, 2014in Iowa Watchdog

Tax mistake leads to sale of half a church

DES MOINES, Iowa — Pastor Robert Garcia has half a church. The rear half of Iglesia Emanuel Independiete in Muscatine is now owned by Oak Helm Partners, a real estate investment [...]

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