TAG SEARCH RESULTS FOR: ""

State of Iowa gets $1 billion since 2023 from short term investing

By O. Kay Henderson (Radio Iowa)

State Treasurer Roby Smith says short term investing of unspent state funds has yielded over $1 billion for the State of Iowa since he took office in January of 2023.

“You’ve heard of purchasing power. This is investing power and so we invest it and we have received over $1 billion in the last two and a half years, which is a record amount,” Smith told Radio Iowa. “We’re excited about that.”

A number of people in the treasurer’s office and outside money managers are investing pooled money the Iowa the Veterans Fund and the Road Use Tax Fund. That’s the fund where gas taxes are deposited and used to fix and build Iowa roads and bridges. Any investment earnings go back into those funds. The $4 billion in the Taxpayer Relief Fund where state budget surpluses have been funneled for the past 14 years is also being invested.

“We do a ladder approach where we’ll do investing every month, but a certain amount, so every month it comes due, so you’re not sitting around and waiting for two years,” Smith said. “You’re just having them come due every 30 days.”

Smith said the state has enough liquidity to pay its bills on time — meaning “there’s money in the checking account,” but money that’s not yet spent should be invested.

“If we know a school aid payment goes out the 18th of every month, we can put that money in a short term investment for a week,” Smith said. “Granted, it’s only a week, but if it’s on $100 million, $200 million that’s a lot of money you can bring in and then we move it back right before we have to send it out to the school districts and when you do that kind of investing, that’s what gets you these kind of returns.”

The average return on investment has been around 4.4% since early 2023. “Records are made to be broken. We’re going to see what next year brings,” Smith said, “but what we do is keep the money safe, we keep it liquid, but we also get a competitive rate of return and we put that money to work for the taxpayers.”

State law for the past five decades has required this sort of short term investing. And the law says both state employees and outside financial experts are to handle the deals so it’s a diversified investment team.

Ottumwa City Hall Operations Returning to 105 East Third Street

OTTUMWA — The City of Ottumwa is pleased to announce that City Hall operations will soon return to their home at 105 East Third Street. Staff and services will transition back to the building later this month following recent asbestos abatement, HVAC improvements, and renovations to the first floor. City Administrator, Philip Rath noted of the move, “We understand there is still some cosmetic work and future improvements which were not part of this project to be completed, but it is time staff return to City Hall.”

Please note that City Hall will have very limited functionality due to a soft closing of the facilities from Monday, September 22 through Friday, September 26 as staff and equipment are packed and moved back to City Hall. We strongly encourage those needing to take care of any necessary business at City Hall do so the week of September 15 at the temporary location of the train depot, located at 210 West Main Street, to avoid delays.

Normal operations are planned to resume Monday, September 29.

Local Leaders McGuire and Foster Take the Stage as OHS Drama Co-Directors

OSKALOOSA, IOWA — Oskaloosa High School will open a new chapter in its drama program with the addition of two familiar faces. Andy McGuire and Dr. Tim Foster have been named Co-Directors of High School Drama.

Andy McGuire

McGuire brings more than 17 years of experience in the performing arts as a teacher and administrator. His journey began with directing for the Pella Shakespeare Company, before earning a bachelor’s degree in theatre and building a career across the Midwest, including the Twin Cities, Chicago, and Des Moines.

Since moving to Oskaloosa in 2012, McGuire has served as Education Director and is currently the Executive Director at the George Daily Auditorium. Beyond theatre, he has been deeply involved in community initiatives with his spouse, Allison, including service on local boards, teaching workshops, and speaking on arts and culture for statewide and national organizations.

“Between the Oskaloosa School District, the George Daily Auditorium, and the other partnerships in this community, there is the potential to expand what theatre can accomplish in rural communities,” McGuire said. “I hope the dictionary definition of theatre in the state of Iowa leads to ‘Oskaloosa.’”

Outside of his professional work, McGuire enjoys tabletop games like Dungeons and Dragons, watching films from silent classics to Hitchcock thrillers, and following science fiction and UFO stories. He and his spouse live in Oskaloosa with their two cats, Bitsy and M.

Dr. Tim Foster

A 2008 graduate of Oskaloosa High School, Foster is a third-generation educator at the school. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Music from Creighton University and a PhD in Spanish from Vanderbilt University, with a focus on classical Spanish theater. Foster began his teaching career at the college level in Tennessee and Texas before returning home to teach Spanish at OHS four years ago.

“I am an Osky grad and proud to continue the tradition my family began here,” Foster said. “We want to tell great stories, build creative leaders, and open up our students to infinite possibilities.”

Foster has been active in theater since childhood, performing and working on crew at the George Daily Auditorium. In addition to teaching and directing, he enjoys gardening, music, hiking, and DIY projects. He and his wife are raising four daughters in the district, along with eight nieces and nephews who attend Oskaloosa Schools.

Shared Vision for the Future

Both directors are enthusiastic about the collaboration. Foster noted, “Co-directing with Andy gives us the opportunity to build even closer ties with the George Daily and contribute to the theater ecosystem in Oskaloosa while also increasing opportunities for our high school students.”

McGuire added, “The amount of potential and opportunity in Oskaloosa Schools and the community is mind-boggling. I’m excited to be part of that vision and culture in a new way.”

Together, McGuire and Foster will guide Oskaloosa High School Drama into its next season, strengthening student opportunities while deepening the program’s connections to the community.

Apple to unveil next iPhone amid Trump trade war that could result in higher prices

CUPERTINO (AP) — Apple on Tuesday will unveil its next line-up of iPhones amid a global trade war that’s added a potential price increase to the usual intrigue surrounding the annual evolution of the company’s marquee product.

The new iPhones will be the first to be released since President Donald Trump returned to the White House and unleashed a barrage of tariffs, in what his administration says is an attempt to bring overseas manufacturing back to the U.S. — a crusade that has thrust Apple CEO Tim Cook into the hot seat.

If Apple follows the same naming scheme since the product’s 2007 debut, the new models will be called the iPhone 17. But the Cupertino, California, company recently deviated from tradition with its naming formula for the iPhone operating system. When the next version of its iOS system was previewed at its developers conference in June, Apple revealed the free update will be called iOS 26 in reference to the upcoming year — a marketing technique that automakers have embraced for decades.

Regardless, these new iPhones are still expected to be made in Apple’s manufacturing hubs in China and India, much to the Trump administration’s consternation.

Both Trump and U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick have repeatedly insisted that iPhones be made in the U.S. instead of overseas. It’s an unrealistic demand that analysts say would take years to pull off and would result in a doubling, or even a tripling, of the iPhone’s current average price of about $1,000.

Cook tried to placate Trump by initially pledging that Apple would invest $500 billion i n the U.S. over the next four years, and then upped the ante last month by adding another $100 billion to the commitment. He also gifted Trump a statue featuring a 24-karat gold base.

That kind of diplomacy has helped insulate Apple from Trump’s most severe tariffs. However, the iPhones being brought into the U.S. still face duties of about 25%, stoking speculation that the company will reveal its first across-the-board price increase in five years in an effort to preserve its hefty profit margins.

Since 2020, Apple has charged $800 for its basic iPhone and $1,200 for its top offering, but analysts now believe the company may raise prices by $50 to $100 on some of the new models. If Apple does announce price increases, it will come just weeks after Google held steady on prices for its new Pixel smartphones.

Whatever Apple ends up charging for the next iPhone, the new line-up isn’t expected to be much different from last year’s model — the first to be designed for a wide range of new artificial intelligence features. While the iPhone 16 has proven to be popular, the models didn’t sell quite as well as analysts had anticipated because Apple failed to deliver all the AI-fueled improvements it had promised, including a smarter and more versatile Siri assistant. The Siri improvements have been pushed back until next year.

That has lowered the expectations for this year’s line-up, which will likely include the usual improvements in camera quality and battery life on top of a slightly redesigned appearance. The most significant new twist could be the introduction of an ultra-thin iPhone dubbed “Air” — a moniker Apple already slaps on like its sleekest iPads and Mac computers.

The relatively minor updates to recent iPhone models are raising questions about Apple’s ability to innovate in the fast-moving era of AI, said Forrester Research analyst Thomas Husson. “Apple is reaching a tipping point, and I expect 2026 and 2027 to be pivotal years.”

Apple’s AI follies, combined with its exposure in Trump’s trade war, have weighed on the company’s stock, while the market values of Big Tech peers like Microsoft, Nvidia, Meta Platforms and Google parent Alphabet have been surging.

Although Apple’s stock price is still down by 4% so far this year, the shares have been bouncing back in recent months amid signs it won’t be as hard hit by the tariffs as once feared, and a highly anticipated court ruling cleared the way for the company to continue receiving $20 billion annually to lock in Google’s search engine as the default option on iPhones.

Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report

DES MOINES — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a weather summary each week during this time.

“We’ve heard some initial reports of farmers picking corn this past week in pockets of Iowa. Some early varieties of corn have started to turn quickly due to the dry August,” said Secretary Naig. “This past week’s cooler weather is expected to give way to some mid-September heat, with temperatures likely climbing back into the upper 80s and low 90s by this weekend.”

The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov.

Crop Report
Mostly dry conditions allowed Iowa farmers 6.0 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending September 7, 2025, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Disease pressure in row crops remained a concern to producers. Field activities included cutting and baling hay and harvesting corn silage.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 2 percent very short, 13 percent short, 75 percent adequate and 10 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 1 percent very short, 9 percent short, 79 percent adequate and 11 percent surplus.

Ninety-seven percent of Iowa’s corn reached the dough stage. Eighty percent of corn was dented or beyond, 5 days ahead of last year, but equal to the five-year average. Twenty-six percent of corn has matured. Corn condition rated 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 15 percent fair, 57 percent good and 23 percent excellent. Soybeans setting pods reached 98 percent. Soybeans coloring advanced to 44 percent, 2 days ahead of last year but 1 day behind average. Eleven percent of the soybeans were dropping leaves. Soybean condition rated 1 percent very poor, 3 percent poor, 20 percent fair, 58 percent good and 18 percent excellent.

The third cutting of alfalfa hay reached 93 percent complete. Pasture condition rated 71 percent good to excellent.

Explore the Universe During Front Row with Scott Ransom and Harry Smith ’73

PELLA — Central College and Pella Corporation will welcome Scott Ransom, astronomer with the National Radio Astronomy Observatory and research professor in the astronomy department at the University of Virginia, for a conversation with Harry Smith, a 1973 Central graduate, award-winning broadcast journalist and internationally renowned storyteller.

Ransom will speak at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, in Douwstra Auditorium on Central’s campus. The event is free and open to the public and campus community.

Smith calls Ransom “that rare scientist who can make astrophysics understandable for everyone.” Dr. Ransom has dedicated his career to uncovering the secrets of the universe. His work on exotic pulsars is challenging what we know about space, time and gravity.

“His work is groundbreaking, and he’s fascinating to listen to,” Smith says. “I can’t wait to sit down with him on Central’s campus.”

This event promises more than a lecture – it’s a chance to sit in the front row with two leaders in their fields as they dive into the power of discovery, curiosity and the future of science.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Scott Ransom and Harry Smith as part of the Front Row series – a chance for our community to learn, imagine and be inspired together as they discuss the mysteries of the universe,” says Karmen Gardner, Pella Corporation vice president and executive director of the Pella Rolscreen Foundation.

“Once again, we are honored to host Harry Smith and a world leader in an open conversation on campus,” says Central President Mark Putnam. “This is an extraordinary opportunity for our students and the community to engage directly with leaders in their fields. We are grateful to Pella Corporation for partnering with us to make this possible.”

Ottumwa Man Arrested Following Altercation

OTTUMWA – An Ottumwa man was taken into custody last week after a reported assault in north Ottumwa.

Court records show that on Friday, September 5, at around 4:12pm, 33-year-old Alejandro Mora Coronel was engaged in a violent physical altercation with another individual. During the altercation, Mora Coronel knocked the individual to the ground and then struck them multiple times in the face.

The victim sustained serious injuries that required treatment at a local hospital, including multiple facial fractures and lacerations that required stitches.

Mora Coronel was apprehended on Friday and transported to the Wapello County Jail, where he faces a charge of Willful Injury Causing Serious Injury, a class C felony. He is being held on a $10,000 cash-only bond.

Indians Fall to Burlington in Home Opener

By Sam Parsons

The Oskaloosa Indians played their home opener on a beautiful Friday night versus the Burlington Grayhounds looking for their first win of the 2025 season. The game could not have presented more of a stark contrast to their season opener at Ottumwa, in which they lost 7-0: by the end of the first quarter of Friday night’s game against the Grayhounds, there were already 27 total points on the scoreboard.

Burlington got off to a fast start with an efficient 6-play scoring drive to make it 7-0. They pushed the envelope further by recovering the following kickoff, a pooch kick that landed just beyond the Indians’ front line, and then scoring quickly again. By the time Oskaloosa’s offense got their hands on the football for the first time, they were in a 14-0 hole.

Fortunately, Osky’s offensive unit was up to the task after their scoreless performance in the previous week. Junior quarterback Tyler Edgar had a tremendous bounce-back effort that started by leading a 10-play drive that culminated in a 19-yard touchdown pass to senior wideout Heavon Knox to cut the lead to 14-7.

However, Burlington’s offense continued to run the ball well all night long. Senior running back Keshawn Wyldon had a monstrous night: he finished with 338 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns on 16 carries. Burlington scored on each of their first 4 drives with Wyldon leading the charge, but Osky’s offense matched them with 3 straight scoring drives to open the game. The score at halftime was 26-21 in favor of Burlington.

The third quarter was relatively quiet for both teams, with only one score during the frame (a 25-yard rushing TD for Wyldon). In the fourth quarter, things heated back up: Oskaloosa drove down the field and Edgar tossed his 4th touchdown pass of the night, this time to senior WR Kayne Boender, to cut the Burlington lead to 5 points at 33-28. Edgar finished the night 16/22 passing for 222 yards, 4 TDs, and 0 INTs, while rushing for 126 yards on 14 carries.

But Burlington answered quickly. Wyldon broke free for a 68-yard TD run to extend their lead back into double digits; he would add another 53-yard rushing score to his ledger by the end of the night, and ultimately, time ran out for the Indians’ comeback effort. The final score of the game was 45-31 in favor of Burlington.

Oskaloosa (0-2) will look for their first win of the season on Friday night vs. Mount Pleasant. Coverage will begin around 7pm on KBOE 104.9 FM and kboeradio.com.

Game stats

Mark Volman, who co-founded The Turtles and performed with Flo & Eddie, has died at 78

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Mark Volman, a founding member of the 1960’s pop group The Turtles, whose hits include “Happy Together” and “Elenore,” died in Nashville, Tennessee, on Friday after a brief, unexpected illness, according to his publicist, Ame Van Iden. He was 78.

Volman was known for his exuberant stage presence and distinctive vocals. In a 1967 performance of “Happy Together” posted to YouTube, Volman wears bright orange and dances around with a French horn that he doesn’t appear to play, but does place on bandmate Howard Kaylan’s head.

His significant other, Emily Volman, posted to his official Instagram account that Volman had joked he wanted news of his death to read, ”‘Teen Idol Dead, Drugs Suspected’.”

“I messed up!” she posted. “Sorry, honey.”

She called him a “magical man” who was “goofy and happy and funny and smart and generous and kind and talented and gentle and creative and thoughtful and hardworking and tough and unique.”

The Turtles broke up in 1970 during an acrimonious split with their label, and a contract clause would not allow the members to perform under their own names. So Volman and Kaylan reinvented themselves as the duo Flo & Eddie, earning a reputation for their humor and versatility. They toured with Frank Zappa’s Mothers of Invention, created background vocals for Bruce Springsteen, and wrote music for television shows like Strawberry Shortcake.

“Always funny, always upbeat, and a spirited and inventive performer, we will miss him greatly,” Evan Cohen, Volman’s attorney and longtime friend, posted to Facebook. He wrote that Volman and Kaylan set an example by advocating for the rights of musicians in owning their recordings and band names. They eventually regained control of The Turtles’ music and name and began touring again.

During a “Happy Together” tour in 2011, Volman told The Daily Republic that he constantly heard stories from people about what the hit song meant to them, including many people who played the tune at their weddings.

“That one song changed our entire future forever,” Volman said. “We were very fortunate to be part of a song that has such staying power. That song has really become part of the American life of so many people.”

A “borderline C” student in high school who figured he would do sheet-metal work like his father if his band didn’t take off, Volman enrolled in college at age 45 after visiting a school with his older daughter. He eventually earned a master’s degree and started teaching music business, landing at Belmont University in Nashville in 2005. He would even take students on tour with him as part of his classes, giving them firsthand experience in tour management, stage management, audio engineering and tour accounting.

Speaking about the decision to teach, Volman told the Nashville Scene at the time, “Successful artists are few and far between, and I wanted to attach an element of reality to things. Failure is an option, a good option because it teaches you to pick yourself up. Just because you put out a record that doesn’t succeed, that doesn’t make it a bad record.”

In 2023, he published his memoir, “Happy Forever: My Musical Adventures With The Turtles, Frank Zappa, T. Rex, Flo & Eddie, and More.”

Volman was diagnosed in 2020 with Lewy body dementia, but he continued to perform on annual “Happy Together” tours in the years that followed. He publicly revealed his diagnosis in 2023.

He is survived by Emily Volman; his ex-wife, Pat Volman; and their daughters, Hallie Volman and Sarina Miller; and his brother, Phil Volman.

Unresolved tariff policies fuel uncertainty in Iowa business sector

By O. Kay Henderson (Radio Iowa)

The leaders of two Iowa business groups say compared to national data, it appears Iowa’s job market is stable, but unresolved U-S tariff policies are a concern.

Joe Murphy is president of the Iowa Business Council, which represents 21 of the state’s largest employers.
“Our members are really focused on the future, trying to create innovations, trying to create business models that will sustain through any sort of unpredictability that we’ll see in Iowa’s labor market and Iowa’s overall economic picture,” said Joe Murphy, president of the Iowa Business Council which represents 21 of the state’s largest employers.

Murphy said recent surveys indicate Iowa Business Council members have had “a very positive outlook” for the next six months. “We’re going to determine whether that continues in our next survey here coming up,” Murphy said, “but with respect to hiring, you know, I think we’re holding steady.”

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics announced the national unemployment rate in August rose to four-point-three percent in August, the highest in nearly four years. Iowa Association of Business and Industry president Nicole Crain said Iowa manufacturers are seeing a softening in the national economy.

“In Iowa, we’re still at 3.7% unemployment, so if you’re look at what that means for Iowa manufacturers, Iowa business — that’s still essentially full employment,” Crain said. Full employment, according to economists, represents a situation where nearly everyone who wants to work has a job.

Crain said uncertainty about federal business taxes ended with passage the “Big Beautiful Bill,” but tariffs remain a concern. “We support wanting to have more products made in America, made in Iowa,” Crain said. “Many of our members — 40% — have experienced unfair trade practices, so they understand needing to get that fair balance, but we need to get these deals done.”

Crain and Murphy made their comments this weekend on “Iowa Press” on Iowa PBS.

NEWSLETTER

Stay updated, sign up for our newsletter.