Models weren’t just walking on metal runways at the spring fashion shows, they were wearing metal as well. Metallic fabrics create a space-aged futuristic look that can be out of this world. They time travel too with flapper-inspired looks made popular by the release of the film, “The Great Gatsby.” The dresses pictured here combine the [...]

Gov. Terry Branstad today is hailing the members of split-control Legislature for their landmark session achievements. The five-term GOP governor says lawmakers succeeded in approving significant property tax relief, transformational education reform, and meaningful health modernization that focuses on quality outcomes for low-income patients while modernizing of the Medicaid system. The governor noted that the [...]

  The summer grilling season just got easier — at least that’s what the National Pork Board and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association hope. The two organizations recently announced new names for more than 350 cuts of pork and beef. The change comes on the heels of nearly two years of consumer research in which [...]

DES MOINES – Gov. Terry Branstad and legislative negotiators have hammered out a bipartisan agreement to use federal money to expand health-care coverage to needy Iowans by financing insurance premiums for participants who help manage their costs with healthy choices. The newly named Iowa Health and Wellness Plan contains elements that meets the desires of [...]

The split-control Legislature inched toward adjournment on its 18th day of overtime session Tuesday. House Speaker Kraig Paulsen, R-Hiawatha, said progress on the outstanding issues holding up the session’s end was “excellent” and he told reporters “I think that there’s a very real possibility that we are done tomorrow.” Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council [...]

Key legislators and Gov. Terry Branstad expressed optimism Monday that progress was being made to forge a “hybrid” health care compromise that would merge elements of the governor’s “Healthy Iowa” plan with Senate Democrats’ desire to expand Medicaid to cover low-income, uninsured Iowans. “If we’re going to get something resolved, nobody’s going to get their [...]

It was a record year for United Way of East Central Iowa’s annual volunteer event. The organization received a total of 42 nominations for its volunteer of the year awards. These nominations were narrowed to three in each award category. In the end, more than 9,500 votes were cast. “It jumped from 2,000 votes the [...]

Have you made it to a farmers market yet this season? This time of year expect to find asparagus, spring greens, radishes, rhubarb, spring garlic and turnips. Some also have local eggs and meats. This is also the time of year that the Linn County Master Gardener Hortline is in full swing. Call with questions [...]

IOWA CITY — Gavin Brown faces Lauren Clapp, a Velcro paddle in his right hand. “Do it the highest as you can!” he shouts. Lauren, a sophomore at Regina High School, tosses a ball high in the air. Gavin holds the paddle out, laughing when the ball sticks to it. “My turn,” the 8-year-old cries. [...]

CEDAR RAPIDS — To get the concept, think Cameron Proctor. Without seeking it, Proctor — a 21-year-old master welder and brand-new homeowner with a good credit history and a 30-year mortgage — has become something of a poster boy for a multimillion-dollar neighborhood transformation. It is a change fueled by Four Oaks’ Affordable Housing Network [...]