From the KCRG-TV9 Newsroom:
Two groups will conduct market studies to help the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission decide if Cedar Rapids should get a casino. The studies will determine how much money it is likely to bring in, how many jobs it would add, and if it would take money and jobs from other casinos in the state. Peninsula Pacific–the group that would build the new casino–estimates a Cedar Rapids location would bring in $80 million for the state. Linn County nonprofits would also get 8 percent of the casino’s revenue. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission is expected to decide on the license for a Cedar Rapids casino on February 6.
Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suspended his presidential campaign, but Iowans will still see his name on the ballot in November. Kennedy said he was planning to remove his name from 10 battleground states where his presence “would be a spoiler.” But while some neighboring states have received requests to remove his name from their ballots, Iowa has not. Yesterday was the deadline for candidates to withdraw from the ballot.
A Hampton man is facing harassment charges for a second time after police say he posted threatening flyers…this time, in the Cedar Falls Public Library. 38-year-old Daniel Embree faces a third degree harassment charge for distributing flyers with threats. Police say the fliers were designed to replicate a hunting license on illegal immigrants. Earlier this month, Embree was arrested in Hampton after police say he posted racist flyers outside Latino-owned businesses and homes in June.
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack came to eastern Iowa yesterday to highlight opportunities for small farms and businesses. The U.S. Department of Agriculture first launched the climate-smart commodities program in 2022. It provides billions of dollars in benefits to farmers through finance partnerships. He hopes the program will help expand and improve agricultural practices to the smallest of farms. The USDA anticipates the projects will help more than 60,000 farms over the next few years.
