http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/ia-news/ en-us Mon, 6 Jul 2009 04:01:07 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2286273/posts Marion man already driving around with Sarah Palin 2012 poster By James Q. Lynch The Gazette j (James Q. Lynch/The Gazette) Harlan Muth of Marion has been displaying a Palin 2012 poster on his van since last fall. Muth hopes the Alaska governor gets into the race for the Republican nomination for president. Harlan Muth isn’t organizing Sarah Palin’s presidential campaign, but pledges as soon as someone does, “I’ll be with ’em. In the meantime, the Marion maintenance contractor is turning heads with his “Sarah Palin 2012” poster prominently displayed on his van. “It’s getting a fantastic response,” Muth, 63,... GazetteOnline http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2286273/posts#comment Mon, 6 Jul 2009 04:01:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2286136/posts On Fox News Sunday this morning, Weekly Standard editor, and FNC contributor, Bill Kristol predicted Sarah Palin’s path to the White House in 2012. He predicted that Palin would become a leader of conservatives, the leader of the GOP, and then president, just like Obama did. According to Kristol, Palin is just like Obama. Here is the video courtesy of Think Progress: (VIDEO AT LINK) Kristol said, "Barack Obama ran for Senate in 2004, was elected to the Senate and the moment he was sworn in began running for president of the United States. He had no Senate leadership record... Politicus USA http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2286136/posts#comment Sun, 5 Jul 2009 22:06:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285585/posts Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's abrupt and unscripted holiday resignation is an odd way to launch a potential presidential bid and certainly no help for a party battered by scandal and fighting for relevancy. From a folksy figure who catapulted from obscure governor to conservative darling and vice presidential nominee, it's merely the latest move in a political drama that has left Republican elders scratching their heads. --snip-- "If this is her launching pad for 2012, it's a curious move," said John Weaver, a former senior strategist for McCain's presidential bids. "Policy is politics, and she has no real accomplishments as... The San Diego Union-Tribune / The Associated Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285585/posts#comment Sat, 4 Jul 2009 20:10:35 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285010/posts Fourth of July Tea Party! QConline.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285010/posts#comment Fri, 3 Jul 2009 19:15:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2284425/posts At virtually any given moment, the news-cycle-driven chattering classes of politics have in the background of their computer screens or the pockets of their briefcases a Big Thumbsucking Magazine Article on a political topic that they read during periods of calm. The Big Article du jour is Todd Purdum's massive profile of Sarah Palin in Vanity Fair.Most of the buzz about the piece deals with a variety of off-the-record snarks about Palin from McCain campaign staff. Indeed, conservative columnist Bill Kristol and McCain campaign manager Steve Schmidt have engaged in a public exchange of insults over alleged leaks to Purdham.... The New Republic http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2284425/posts#comment Thu, 2 Jul 2009 21:28:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2283806/posts Cedar Rapids businessman and flood recovery leader Christian Fong has entered the race for governor, calling for new leadership to restore the Iowa dream. “Sadly, today I see the dream being ripped away from future generations,” Fong said. He’s seeking the Republican nomination to challenge first-term Democratic Gov. Chet Culver. “The dream has to be restored.” Cedar Rapids Gazette(Iowa) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2283806/posts#comment Thu, 2 Jul 2009 02:48:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2283333/posts She was plucked to safety by the crew on a building site nearby after they spotted the plight of her and her husband. The workers used a crane to lower colleague Jason Oglesbee down to lift the woman free of the water and away to safety. While they were able to rescue the woman, her husband drowned after the boat overturned on the Des Moines River, Iowa. Joe Lowe, one of the construction workers, said: "I saw the boat drift down, and he started it up and he hit the bridge base. "Then he tried to wrap it up with... Daily Mail http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2283333/posts#comment Wed, 1 Jul 2009 16:00:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2283369/posts Democrat Al Franken, right, with his wife Frannie Franken smile as they meet the media at their house in MInneapolis Tuesday June 30, 2009 after the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Democrat in the Senate race against Republican Norm Coleman. (AP Photo/Andy King) Al Franken, the newest member of the U.S. Senate, will be the guest speaker at Sen. Tom Harkin's annual steak fry Sept. 13. Franken, who is expected to be seated in the Senate next week after winning recounts and court challenges in his upset of Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman, will headline Harkin's 32nd... The Quad-City Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2283369/posts#comment Wed, 1 Jul 2009 16:52:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2282747/posts (NEW YORK - June 30, 2009) - This week's July 6, 2009, issue of SPORTS ILLUSTRATED, on newsstands tomorrow, features Ed Thomas, head football coach at Aplington-Parkersburg (Iowa) High School, with the billing A GOOD MAN DOWN - TRAGEDY IN THE HEARTLAND: THE MURDER OF A BELOVED HIGH SCHOOL COACH. It was Thomas who had led the townspeople of Parkersburg out of the rubble of a tornado last year, showed them how to live a Christian life and brought honor to a football field he mowed himself. What they can't understand is why Thomas was gunned down by a former... Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2282747/posts#comment Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:35:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2278959/posts This is an extraordinary video feature from ESPN, aired in September, about Aplington-Parkersburg football's role in Parkersburg's recovery from the devastating EF-5 tornado that struck the town last May. The football team, and particularly coach Ed Thomas, was one of the keys to the town maintaining its identity through the tragedy. Over 200 homes, dozens of businesses, and the high school were all destroyed by the tornado on May 25, 2008. The tornado killed 8 people and destroyed nearly half the town. Coach Ed Thomas, a living legend, was instrumental in the rebuilding process. The high school coach of four... ESPN http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2278959/posts#comment Thu, 25 Jun 2009 05:37:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2278637/posts PARKERSBURG, Iowa — Police say a 24-year-old man charged with murdering a prominent Iowa high school football coach was supposed to have been taken to a hospital psychiatric ward after leading police on a car chase. Cedar Falls Police Chief Jeff Olson says he was told Butler County Sheriff's deputies would take Mark Becker to the ward after taking a baseball bat to a Cedar Falls home and leading police on a chase Saturday night. The Sheriff's Office declined to comment on whether deputies took Becker to the ward. Olson says Becker was released from custody at some point but... The Atlanta Journal Constitution http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2278637/posts#comment Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:48:08 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2278375/posts Aplington-Parkersburg High School football coach Ed Thomas was shot multiple times this morning at the school’s weight room and died a short time later at a hospital, officials have confirmed. Thomas was shot at point blank range, including once in the head, according to the school's business manager Pat Gosch. No one else was injured in the incident. The family of Ed Thomas released a statement through Covenenant Medical Center in Waterloo: "The family of Ed Thomas would like the media to know that Ed passed away shortly after arriving at Covenant Medical Center," the statement read. Sports secretary Sue... Cedar Rapids Gazette http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2278375/posts#comment Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:11:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2278504/posts Police have charged a 24-year-old former player in the fatal shooting of a prominent Iowa high school football coach. hostednews http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2278504/posts#comment Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:44:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2274920/posts WASHINGTON - -- He was appointed with fanfare as the public watchdog over the government's multi-billion dollar bailout of the nation's financial system. But now Neil Barofsky is embroiled in a dispute with the Obama administration that delayed one recent inquiry and sparked questions about his ability to freely investigate. The disagreement stems from a claim by the Treasury Department that Barofsky is not entirely independent of the agency he is assigned to examine ¿ a claim that has prompted a stern letter from a Republican senator warning that agency officials are encroaching on the integrity of an office created... Chicago Tribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2274920/posts#comment Fri, 19 Jun 2009 02:58:37 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2274384/posts WASHINGTON - -- He was appointed with fanfare as the public watchdog over the government's multi-billion dollar bailout of the nation's financial system. But now Neil Barofsky is embroiled in a dispute with the Obama administration that delayed one recent inquiry and sparked questions about his ability to freely investigate. The disagreement stems from a claim by the Treasury Department that Barofsky is not entirely independent of the agency he is assigned to examine ¿ a claim that has prompted a stern letter from a Republican senator warning that agency officials are encroaching on the integrity of an office created... Chicago Trib http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2274384/posts#comment Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:17:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2274376/posts ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS EXPECTED OVER PARTS OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY AND MIDWEST TODAY AND TONIGHT... THE NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER IN NORMAN OK IS FORECASTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF TORNADOES...LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS OVER PARTS OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY AND MIDWEST TODAY AND TONIGHT. THE AREAS MOST LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE THIS ACTIVITY INCLUDE IOWA ILLINOIS INDIANA MINNESOTA WISCONSIN ELSEWHERE...SEVERE STORMS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE FROM THE CENTRAL AND NORTHERN PLAINS ACROSS THE OHIO RIVER VALLEY AND APPALACHIANS MOUNTAINS TO THE MID ATLANTIC COAST. A VERY ACTIVE THUNDERSTORM DEVELOPMENT REGIME WILL CONTINUE TODAY OVER AN EXTENSIVE REGION FROM THE PLAINS...ACROSS THE... Storm Prediction Center - Norman Oklahoma http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2274376/posts#comment Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:00:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2272590/posts A Senate Republican is asking for information on any role first lady Michelle Obama's office may have played in her husband's decision to fire the watchdog for the federal AmeriCorps program over his investigation of Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa requested that Alan Solomont, chairman of the government-run Corporation for National and Community Service, which runs the AmeriCorps program, provide "any and all records, e-mail, memoranda, documents, communications or other information" related to contacts with officials in the first lady's office. Michelle Obama's former chief of staff, Jackie Norris, is expected to join the national service... Newsmax http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2272590/posts#comment Tue, 16 Jun 2009 02:14:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2271737/posts If the Republican Party is in danger of being marginalized as a conservative, white male Southern enclave, is Haley Barbour — the longtime Washington power broker and current Mississippi governor — the best person to turn things around? Many rank-and-file Republicans and party leaders say yes, as the 61-year-old Barbour prepares to ramp up his national profile this month with back-to-back trips to the early presidential voting states of Iowa and New Hampshire. Barbour will headline fundraisers in both states, but says the visits are part of his duties as incoming chairman of the Republican Governors Association. Both states have... WXMI-TV / The Associated Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2271737/posts#comment Sun, 14 Jun 2009 22:31:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2271651/posts JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — If the Republican Party is in danger of being marginalized as a conservative, white male Southern enclave, is Haley Barbour — the longtime Washington power broker and current Mississippi governor — the best person to turn things around? Many rank-and-file Republicans and party leaders say yes, as the 61-year-old Barbour prepares to ramp up his national profile this month with back-to-back trips to the early presidential voting states of Iowa and New Hampshire. Barbour will headline fundraisers in both states, but says the visits are part of his duties as incoming chairman of the Republican Governors... AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2271651/posts#comment Sun, 14 Jun 2009 18:50:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2271553/posts I'm not sure about posting Fox/AP, so I'll leave this blank. Fox News/AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2271553/posts#comment Sun, 14 Jun 2009 15:05:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2271496/posts CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (Reuters) –"If this was a foreign country, we would send billions of dollars without the red tape," said Frank King, president of a neighborhood association." Reuters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2271496/posts#comment Sun, 14 Jun 2009 13:32:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2271090/posts July 4, 2009 9:30 AM-12:00 PM Playland park, Council Bluffs http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2271090/posts#comment Sat, 13 Jun 2009 15:43:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2269370/posts Electrolux is laying off about 150 more workers at its Webster City laundry plant as the company moves some of its washer and dryer production to Mexico. The cuts announced Friday will be effective June 15. Company spokesman Tony Evans says the layoffs are temporary and that workers could be recalled if business conditions improve. Including the layoffs announced last week, about 500 Electrolux employees have lost their jobs since last November. Electrolux announced in 2006 that it would eliminate jobs in Webster City because production of its front-loading washing machines and companion dryers would move to Mexico. The company... KTTC.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2269370/posts#comment Thu, 11 Jun 2009 10:03:37 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2269338/posts Doc plans to offer 3rd-term abortions in Kansas Staff from Dr. Tiller's clinic may join the Nebraskan to help train others  Wed., June 10, 2009 OMAHA, Neb. - A Nebraska doctor says he'll perform third-term abortions in Kansas after the slaying of abortion provider George Tiller, even though Tiller's clinic is closed.Dr. LeRoy Carhart declined to discuss his plans in detail during a telephone interview with The Associated Press, but insisted "there will be a place in Kansas for the later second and the medically indicated third-trimester patients very soon." "I just think that until everything is in place, it's... msnbc.,msn.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2269338/posts#comment Thu, 11 Jun 2009 06:05:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2269009/posts DES MOINES, Iowa - Mike Huckabee is returning to the site of one of his biggest presidential primary wins and wading into Iowa state politics -- a move seen as risky but potentially rewarding should he opt for another presidential run. Huckabee will be the draw Wednesday at a Spirit Lake fundraiser for Bob Vander Plaats, a top leader in Huckabee's caucus campaign who is expected to run for governor next year and who has the backing of many social conservatives. "Bob Vander Plaats is an exceptional leader. That's why I'd like to see him win next year," Huckabee said... Chicago Tribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2269009/posts#comment Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:41:31 GMT