DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) – The Iowa Association of Business and Industry announced Wednesday the winner of its 2026 Coolest Thing Made in Iowa competition. In partnership with Nicolet National Bank, ABI named the Mi-T-M ePowerStation as this year’s winner. The product is manufactured by Mi-T-M Corporation in Peosta. Mi-T-M describes the ePowerStation as a portable, silent, emission-free power source delivering up to 6,000 watts of continuous output with customizable configurations. The company says it offers a quiet alternative to gas generators for indoor and outdoor use, including jobsites, events, film sets and food trucks, while eliminating fuel costs, fumes and noise. ABI said 51 Iowa cities nominated 68 products from manufacturers for this year’s competition, showcasing the depth and diversity of the state’s manufacturing sector. The bracket-style contest moved through public voting, narrowing the field to four finalists competing for the top honor. “ABI has long been proud to champion and advocate for Iowa manufacturers, and this year’s winner is another strong example of that legacy,” said ABI President Nicole Crain. “From traditional manufacturing roots to today’s advanced energy solutions, Iowa companies continue to evolve and lead. ABI is proud to celebrate the people and businesses behind this vital part of our economy.”
NORTH LIBERTY, Iowa (KCRG) – A Tiffin man was sentenced to four years of probation after police say he stole and attempted to sell $60,000 worth of medical and construction equipment from the University of Iowa Health Care campus in North Liberty. 56-year-old Kevin Grimm pleaded guilty to first-degree theft in March. Grimm was originally charged with ongoing criminal conduct, which was dropped in the plea agreement. He had previously pleaded not guilty to both charges. According to court documents, Grimm used his position as a contractor to access and take medical and construction equipment over a several-month period while the hospital was being built. Grimm advertised the stolen equipment as “new” on websites including eBay and Facebook Marketplace, selling the items at a discounted rate. Court documents say he was still actively selling the stolen equipment at the time of his arrest. Some of the medical equipment Grimm is accused of stealing includes devices restricted by the Food and Drug Administration. Those devices are permitted only to doctors with a current national provider identification number, those directly supervised by a physician, or individuals with a prescription from a physician. He must also pay restitution of $72,285.12 to the University of Iowa.
DES MOINES, Iowa (Iowa Capital Dispatch/KCRG) – Five Midwest senators defended ethanol production and year-round E15 sales Wednesday in a letter to the Wall Street Journal. U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst from Iowa, Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts from Nebraska and Roger Marshall from Kansas submitted the letter to the newspaper in response to a column that criticized the ethanol industry. Specifically, the columnist accused ethanol lobbyists of delaying the Farm Bill in the U.S. House of Representatives, attempting to pass measures that “would benefit the ethanol industry at the expense of consumers and small refiners.” The five senators defended ethanol, specifically E15 fuel that contains 15% ethanol, as an affordable solution to rising gas prices across the U.S, describing it as a “net positive” for Americans. “Expanding E15 availability lowers gas prices by 20 to 40 cents per gallon on average. That could mean around $400 per year in savings for a U.S. household—precious dollars that could be spent on other needs,” the letter said. The senators said they believe nationwide distribution and sales of E15 has bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress, and “a handful of oil refineries” are trying to stop E15 legislation from being passed. “E15 has been in the marketplace by presidential waiver for eight years. In that time, not one refinery has closed because of E15 availability,” the letter said. The letter concluded with the five senators saying that the passage of E15 legislation is at the “forefront” of their legislative agenda: “We know E15 will lower prices at the pump, and we’re committed to providing affordable options for families. Securing year-round, nationwide E15 is at the forefront of our agenda.” A bill that makes the sale of E15 year-round passed the House in May, but faces an uncertain path in the Senate, where the bill would need 60 votes to pass.
WATERLOO, Iowa (KCRG) – A principal and track coach at an eastern Iowa school is facing an additional charge after police say he had an inappropriate relationship with a student. 40-year-old Lucas Tanney, of Waterloo, was charged with sexual exploitation by a school employee and grooming. Tanney serves as principal for 6th through 12th grades at Valley Lutheran School. Waterloo police received a report May 28 claiming he had an inappropriate relationship with a juvenile female student. He was also the victim’s track coach. Investigators found that unlawful sexual conduct happened at Tanney’s home. Tanney admitted to police that he engaged in sending explicit pictures and messages to the victim. Court records show Tanney also admitted to sending sexually explicit messages to two former students 10 years ago, while employed by the district. Tanney has been removed from the Valley Lutheran School website. The school has not responded to a request for comment about his employment status. Tanney faces up to five years in prison, if convicted. A preliminary hearing is set for June 11 at 1:30 p.m.
