Latest Iowa Headlines
All the headlines from our Iowa Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Flooding Causes Classes to be Held in New Buildings at University of Iowa
Sep 2 2008 // The site of a former hardware store is now home to the University of Iowa’s theater performance, music and ceramics classes, a move that reflects the possible confusion after flooding pushed a slate of old classes...
It Figures
Sep 1 2008 // $15 Million Iowa officials estimate it will cost $15 million to bring the state up to speed on flood plain maps. Only 50 of Iowa’s 99 counties have complete maps that meet federal standards. The outdated or...
Governor Culver: Rebuild Iowa Office to Remain Open Indefinitely
Aug 27 2008 // The newly formed Rebuild Iowa Office which is responding to recent natural disasters around the state will remain open indefinitely, said Iowa Gov. Chet Culver. He said it’s “very likely” that the office...
Firm Sues Iowa City Challenging Decision on Flood-damaged Buildings
Aug 22 2008 // A Florida company has filed a lawsuit against Cedar Rapids, Iowa challenging the city’s decision to reject its bid to demolish flood-damaged buildings. Bunnell, Fla.-based Bamaco Inc., filed its lawsuit on August 19...
S&P Advises Floods Could Lead to Ratings Actions on Midwest-Focused Insurers
Aug 21 2008 // An aerial photo shows a flooded area of downtown looking North over Cedar Rapids, Iowa, June 13, 2008. Interstate I-380 can be seen on the left while Mays Island, with Cedar Rapids City Hall, is seen on the right with its...
Flood Recovery Efforts in Iowa Slowed by Government Estimates
Aug 20 2008 // Victims of record flooding are paying mortgages, taxes and repairs on houses that might need to be destroyed, and some are blaming federal and state officials for a slow response. The lengthy process to get federal buyout...
Iowa Insurance Division Rescinds Rebate Bulletin
Aug 19 2008 // A national insurance trade group is praising the Iowa Insurance Division over its decision to rescind a bulletin that would restrict gifts and other small items under the heading of charities or advertising. The Property...
Iowa Town Out of Money After Floods
Aug 14 2008 // City leaders in Palo, Iowa say they have spent the city’s entire general fund budget on flood recovery. Officials say the town, which has about 900 residents and a $300,000 budget, is out of money. City Hall alone...
Insurance Group Seeks Rebate Resolution in Iowa
Aug 12 2008 // Iowa’s law on insurance rebates is clear, and the Des Plaines, Ill.-based the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI). The national group is urging the Insurance Commissioner Susan Voss to work with...
Iowa Woman Ordered to Pay Nearly $50k in Dog Bite Case
Aug 12 2008 // A Dubuque woman has been ordered to pay nearly $50,000 in a lawsuit filed by a man who was bitten by her dog. A judge has ruled that Michelle Kissee is responsible for Jon Gruetzmacher’s injuries. Court records show...
Officials Estimate It Will Cost $15 Million to Update Iowa Flood Maps
Aug 8 2008 // Iowa officials estimate it will cost $15 million to bring the state up to speed on flood plain maps. Only 50 of Iowa’s 99 counties have complete maps that meet federal standards. The outdated or incomplete maps are...
HUD Releases $85 Million to Iowa for Disaster Relief
Aug 6 2008 // The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has released $85 million to help Iowa recover from record flooding. The agency and the offices of congressmen Dave Loebsack, Leonard Boswell and Bruce Braley announced...
Iowa Lawmakers Say More Disaster Funding Expected
Aug 5 2008 // Three members of Iowa’s congressional delegation say House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has assured them that Congress will provide more disaster-related funding. Reps. Leonard Boswell, Bruce Braley and Dave Loebsack, all...
Iowa Gov. Culver: $1.2 Billion in Flood Damages Unmet by Aid
Aug 4 2008 // Iowa Gov. Chet Culver said July 22 that state officials have identified $1.2 billion in flood damage that hasn’t been met by disaster aid, and he’s asking Congress to move quickly to provide more...
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Developing New Floodplain Map
Jul 30 2008 // A new floodplain map under development for Cedar Rapids, Iowa, shows a levee on the Cedar River’s west bank was too low to protect large sections of the city from a 100-year flood. That’s despite the fact that...
Iowa Gov. Culver: $1.2 Billion in Flood Damages Unmet
Jul 24 2008 // Iowa Gov. Chet Culver said July 22 that state officials have identified $1.2 billion in flood damage that hasn’t been met by disaster aid, and he’s asking Congress to move quickly to provide more...
Iowa Lawmaker Proposes Tax Breaks for Flood Victims
Jul 23 2008 // A Democratic state senator from Iowa who represents an area hit hard by record flooding is suggesting the state grant a one-year hiatus in property tax collections to regions most affected by the disaster. “Some of...
Mold Found in FEMA Mobile Homes in Indiana, Iowa
Jul 23 2008 // The discovery of mold in federally provided mobile homes sheltering Indiana and Iowa flood victims has prompted new anger and frustrations for those who have lost their houses. The Federal Emergency Management Agency...
Iowa Flood Victims Given Additional Tax Deadline Extension
Jul 22 2008 // Iowa Gov. Chet Culver has granted flood victims an additional deadline extension for tax returns and for paying state taxes. The deadline is now Aug. 29, a month later than the original date. That’s for returns and...
Midwest’s Flood-prone Communities Consider Government Buyouts
Jul 18 2008 // After the Great Flood of 1993, thousands of properties in flood plains around the Midwest were bought out by the government. Now, weeks after the latest massive flood, buyouts are again being considered in at least five...
