Iowa News Blog

Edwards launches ad in New Hampshire

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 15:27:02 +0000

Effort to revive immigration bill faces another vote in Senate

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 15:27:02 +0000

Senators urging the passage of a bill that would legalize millions of illegal immigrants hope to revive bipartisan support for the embattled measure and push it to passage by week's end.

President Bush's team is predicting victory Tuesday on the effort to allow the bill — among the president's top domestic priorities — to go forward.

"We're optimistic," said Joel Kaplan, Bush's deputy chief of staff. "Our intelligence suggests that there will be the votes there."

Giuliani confronts string of bad news

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 15:27:02 +0000

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Republican presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani has confronted a spate of bad news in recent days, from the drug indictment of his South Carolina chairman to criticism for skipping meetings of the Iraq Study Group. Every campaign faces bad news at one time or another, but with a fundraising deadline looming Saturday, the timing couldn't be worse. Most voters are not tuned in, but for those who are giving and raising money for the former New York mayor, the heartburn-inducing...

Effort to revive bipartisan immigration bill faces another vote in Senate

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 15:27:02 +0000

WASHINGTON — Senators urging the passage of a bill that would legalize millions of illegal immigrants hope to revive bipartisan support for the embattled measure and push it to passage by week's end.

President Bush's team is predicting victory Tuesday on the effort to allow the bill — among the president's top domestic priorities — to go forward.

"We're optimistic," said Joel Kaplan, Bush's deputy chief of staff. "Our intelligence suggests that there will be the votes there."

Effort to revive bipartisan immigration bill faces vote

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 15:27:02 +0000

President Bush encouraged the Senate on Tuesday to put aside bitter differences and pass a bill that would legalize millions of illegal immigrants.

Bush appeared optimistic about winning Senate approval by week's end. "We'll be moving our attention to the House after the Senate passes this comprehensive piece of legislation," Bush told business leaders and representatives of religious, Hispanic and agricultural communities. "I think this is an historic opportunity for Congress to act."

"We're optimistic," said Joel Kaplan, Bush's deputy chief of staff. "Our intelligence suggests that there will be the votes there."

Court limits student speech in 'Bong Hits 4 Jesus' case

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 15:27:02 +0000

WASHINGTON — School principals may punish students for holding up signs that favor the use of illegal drugs, the Supreme Court said Monday in a narrow decision limiting students' free-speech rights.

Bush Asks Senate To Pass immigration Bill

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 15:27:02 +0000

President Bush encouraged the Senate on Tuesday to put aside bitter differences and pass a bill that would legalize millions of illegal immigrants.

"We're optimistic," said Joel Kaplan, Bush's deputy chief of staff. "Our intelligence suggests that there will be the votes there."

Review: 'Evan Almighty' sinks under weak restrictions

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 15:27:02 +0000

Hollywood still hasn’t seemed to learn the rule about Jim Carrey. Jim Carrey sequels without Jim Carrey don’t work! Look at the atrocities that were “Son of the Mask” and “Dumb and Dumberer.”

But, when they announced that a sequel to the widely successful “Bruce Almighty” with Steve Carell, it looked like they might have a chance of breaking the curse. Carell, you’ll recall, had a scene-stealing turn as Evan Baxter, Carrey’s obnoxious rival at a Buffalo television news station.

However, “Evan Almighty” never quite pans out due to the direction the film decided to go with a family-oriented, eco-friendly message that’s all well and good, but severely limits the talents of its star.

Obama to Air First Campaign Ads in Iowa

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 15:27:02 +0000

Democratic Sen. Barack Obama is launching two biographical television ads this week, focusing on early voting Iowa in the first commercials of his presidential campaign.

The ads represent a strategic shift for the Obama campaign, which has focused on grass-roots efforts and now will introduce the candidate to a new population of voters watching at home.

Candidates typically hold off on advertising during the slow summer months, but the warp-speed campaign has forced the 2008 contenders to rethink the traditional approach. Republican Mitt Romney and Democrat Bill Richardson have run ads in Iowa - and seen their poll numbers increase.

Cubs 10, Rockies 9

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 15:27:02 +0000

CHICAGO (AP) - This is why the Chicago Cubs are paying Alfonso Soriano $136 million. He hit a game-ending two-run single in the bottom of the ninth to give the Cubs a wild 10 to 9 win over Colorado after the Cubs bullpen blew an 8 to 3 lead in the top of the ninth.

Troy Tulowitzki hit a three-run homer for the Rockies, who scored six runs in the ninth.

After Tulowitzki's homer, a fan charged at Cubs reliever Bobby Howry, who got the win despite giving up three runs. The fan was just a few feet from the mound before security guards tackled him.

Pivotal Vote Looms on Immigration

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 15:27:02 +0000

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Senators urging the passage of a bill that would legalize millions of illegal immigrants hope to revive bipartisan support for the embattled measure and push it to passage by week's end. President Bush's team is predicting victory Tuesday on the effort to allow the bill - among the president's top domestic priorities - to go forward. "We're optimistic," said Joel Kaplan, Bush's deputy chief of staff. "Our intelligence suggests that there will be the votes there." Conservat...

Giuliani facing bad news at a bad time

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 15:27:02 +0000

Iowa Couple Killed in Plane Crash

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 15:27:02 +0000

COLONA, Ill. --An Iowa couple was killed Monday when a small antique plane bound for an air show in North Carolina crashed in northwestern Illinois, authorities said.

Henry County Coroner David Johnson said John and Sheri Horn, both 53 of Cedar Falls, Iowa, were killed when the single-engine plane John Horn was piloting crashed in a soybean field north of Colona.

Johnson said the couple were antique aircraft buffs and were flying the 60-year-old Navion from Waterloo, Iowa, to an air show in Southport, N.C. The cause of the crash was not determined Monday, but Johnson noted the area had been foggy at the time of the crash.

Cubs' Soriano the Hero After Collapse

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 15:27:02 +0000

CHICAGO -- Alfonso Soriano hit a game-ending two-run single to give the Chicago Cubs a 10-9 win over the Colorado Rockies on Monday night, setting off a wild celebration after the Cubs bullpen blew an 8-3 lead in the ninth inning.

Troy Tulowitzki hit a three-run homer for the Rockies, who scored six runs in the ninth.

After Todd Helton doubled in a run with no outs in the ninth off reliever Scott Eyre, Bobby Howry (4-4) was greeted by back-to-back RBI singles from Garrett Atkins and Brad Hawpe. Then Tulowitzki followed with a three-run homer to put the Rockies ahead 9-8. Howry is the closer while Ryan Dempster is unavailable because of a strained oblique muscle.

McCain dismisses drop in polls

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 15:27:02 +0000

GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) Republican presidential candidate John McCain on Monday dismissed polls that show him slipping into single digits, arguing that his campaign is going through the typical ups and downs and will be fine this fall.

In an interview with The Associated Press, the Arizona senator also defended his support for a bipartisan immigration bill, a stance that has undercut his bid in early voting South Carolina.

The top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee acknowledged that his backing for the Iraq war has hurt his candidacy elsewhere in the country.

Sioux City to take Additional Step to Bring in Northwest Facility

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 05:29:08 +0000

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) - Sioux City's City Council is expected on Monday to consider another step to cement financing that will bring a Northwest Airlines reservations center to the city's downtown.

Plans call for a reservations center that would be located on the second floor of the former JCPenney's building. Northwest plans to create at least 330 jobs at the facility.

On Monday, the city council will be asked to give city officials permission to provide fiscal management services to a nonprofit corporation that is helping to facilitate the new facility.

Question Mark

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 05:29:08 +0000

Why do all gas prices have 9/10 cent behind them? Instead of putting the price per gallon as $2.89 9/10 per gallon, make it read $2.90 per gallon. It would only be 1 cent more total on 10 gallons. – L.D. "Lonnie" Nunley, Bristol Virginia

This is one of those questions with more than one answer, I discovered.

Ron Adams of Buchanan Oil Company in Abingdon said he really didn’t know the reason why, but he "always assumed it was because it looked better."

Senate heads toward more key votes on immigration bill; outcome too close to call

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 05:29:08 +0000

WASHINGTON ? Senators pushing a new immigration policy appealed Sunday to wavering supporters ahead of renewed debate on securing the borders and dealing with 12 million undocumented immigrants.

A fragile compromise was pulled from the Senate in early June, then resurrected after bipartisan negotiations with the White House. The bill awaits a crucial test vote this week. With several senators distancing themselves from the proposal, the outcome was too close to call.

Senator Edward Kennedy discusses immigration reform legislation during a news conference in Washington Thursday, June 21, 2007. Senator Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., is at right. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook)

Beck Remembered for Hard Work, Outlook

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 05:29:08 +0000

When news of Rod Beck's early death spread through the major leagues' clubhouses Sunday, former teammates and opponents of the colorful reliever shared countless stories with a common theme.

Though Beck was a fearsome closer for 13 major league seasons, he was even more admired for his genial nature and old-fashioned approach to the game he loved.

Beck, a three-time All-Star who earned 286 career saves, was found dead in his home Saturday. He was 38.

Relief pitcher Rod Beck dead at 38

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 05:29:08 +0000

Rod Beck was a menacing sight on the mound, with a bushy mustache and a searing stare that intimidated batters throughout his 13-year career as one of baseball's best closers.Yet his friends in the game knew Beck as a hardworking teammate and a jovial character whose early death saddened players all around the major leagues.Beck, an All-Star relief pitcher who earned 286 career saves, was found dead in his home Saturday. He was 38."He was a great guy _ always happy, always picking guys up," said...

Old shows get new view

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 05:29:08 +0000

Copies of vintage TV shows that have languished in collectors' closets for decades increasingly are being uploaded onto the YouTube social networking site, available to a wide audience

Tribune Newspapers

Old-time television is making a comeback. Not on television, though.

Foul play not suspected in death of ex-pitcher Rod Beck; 38-year-old was found at Arizona home

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 05:29:08 +0000

When news of Rod Beck's early death spread through the major leagues' clubhouses Sunday, former teammates and opponents of the colorful reliever shared countless stories with a common theme.

Though Beck was a fearsome closer for 13 major league seasons, he was even more admired for his genial nature and old-fashioned approach to the game he loved.

Beck, a three-time All-Star who earned 286 career saves, was found dead in his home Saturday. He was 38.

US Track & Field Championship Results

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 05:29:08 +0000

Heat 1_1, q-Rodney Martin, Nike, 20.35. 2, q-Rubin Williams, Tennessee, 20.51. 3, q-Jeremy Wariner, adidas, 20.64. 4, q-Shawn Crawford, Nike, 20.74. 5, Kyle Farmer, unattached, 20.79. 6, Philippe Derosier, unattached, 20.95. 7, Evander Wells, Tennessee, 21.15. 8, Bernard Williams, adidas, 22.34. Xavier Carter, Nike, DNF.Heat 2_1, q-Tyson Gay, adidas, 20.15. 2, q-Wallace Spearmon, Nike, 20.33. 3, q-Jordan Vaden, adidas, 20.43. 4, q-Kerron Clement, Nike, 20.61. 5, Joshua Johnson, unattached, 20.70...

Obituaries for Monday, June 25, 2007

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 05:29:08 +0000

Dorothy M. Flynn | Duane Becker | Walter J. WenzelDorothy M. FlynnAug. 17, 1917 June 21, 2007Dorothy M. Flynn, 89, of Winona died Thursday, June 21, 2007, at St. Anne Extended Healthcare in Winona.Dorothy was born Aug. 17, 1917, to Joseph and Mary (Hillsinger) Stoltz in Glidden, Wis. When Dorothy was little, she used to dance the Charleston for nickels at her dad’s store. She graduated from Glidden High School and worked at her dad’s department store.On Dec. 31, 1938, Dorothy marrie...

Beck, 'The Shooter,' dies at 38

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 05:29:08 +0000

Rod Beck, an All-Star relief pitcher who wore a bushy mustache while earning 286 career saves, has died. He was 38.

Beck was found Saturday by police officers responding to a call to his home in suburban Phoenix, police department spokesman Andy Hill said Sunday. Foul play is not suspected, though the cause of death might not be known for several days.

With unruly hair framing a menacing stare and an aggressive arm swing before delivering a pitch, the outgoing right-hander was a colorful baseball personality and a three-time All-Star. He spent the first seven of his 13 major league seasons with the San Francisco Giants.