Rural investments paying dividends in Iowa says USDA boosting towns
The guest column defends US rural policy, citing USDA support in Iowa since 2009. It notes $2 billion in loans and grants, 1,200+ grants to 52 businesses, $137.6 million in guaranteed loans, $247 million for 313 community facilities, 9,600 home loans, and $1.1 billion in farm loans, plus broadband and smart grid investments and a $3.8 million lake-area sewer project. Bill Menner profiles the impact across rural counties and communities.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chuck Hassebrook
Hassebrook
America
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Iowa
Obama
USDA
Gual-Dsda
Wyoming
Leisure Lake
Jackson County
Tom Vilsa
Eight week class on unsupervised play in Central Park draws critics
A columnist recalls offering an eight week $350 class titled TI Won't Supervise Your Kids in Central Park. The plan paired casual supervision with independent play for ages 8 to 18, sparking media frenzy and mixed public reaction about safety and value of free play. Four kids attended the first session, two being the author's friends' children.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Central Park
Hara Marano
Vegas
Good Morning America
Jerry Sandusky
Grandmother fights DHS custody ruling in Iowa protest
Altoona grandmother Jeanne Munson, with two degrees and a clean record aside from speeding tickets, lost custody of her four grandchildren to another family in 2009 on DHS advice. She plans a Sept 22 rally at the Des Moines Capitol to demand stronger grandparent rights and police investigator powers, saying she fought DHS and spent years in debt.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Altoona
Jeanne Munson
Iowa Department of Human Services
DHS
Munson
Iowa
Monson
Des Moines
Also Mentioned on This Page
Bill Menner
Usda Rural Development
Usda.gov
Denise Gerber
Fireright
Blairstown
Liz Martin
the Gazette
South Slope Cooperative Communications
Jim Packingham
Hiawatha
Nathan Lake
Iowa City
Longview Estates
Swisher
South Slope
David DeWitte
the Gazett
Anderson Cooper
Fox TV
the View
Iskenazy
Lenore Creators Syndicate
Home Educators Network
Kiwanis Park
Charleston
Ill
Etop Agamedia.net
Jennifer Hemmingsen
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