WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of the Treasury today announced that it had agreed to sell all of its remaining 10,291,553 shares of First BanCorp. (FBP) common stock, exiting Treasury’s largest…
Category: Business
The NorthIowaToday.com Business Section. Business stories and a directory of top North Iowa businesses.
McDonald’s to use fresh beef patties in Quarter Pounder burgers instead of frozen
MASON CITY – You’ll be in the drive thru even more often once these tasty delights sizzle on that big flat cooking surface. McDonald’s USA today announced that by mid-2018, it will…
Economic Development Board approves awards to support over $74 million in capital investments in Iowa
DES MOINES, IA – The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) board awarded direct financial assistance and tax benefits to four companies for job creation and expansion projects. These awards will assist in the…
U.S. economy adds 235,000 jobs
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. economy added 235,000 new jobs as the unemployment rate dropped to 4.7%, a report from the labor department shows. Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 235,000 in…
Federal consumer watchdog sues nation’s largest student loan company for cheating borrowers
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is suing the nation’s largest servicer of both federal and private student loans for systematically and illegally failing borrowers at every stage…
McKesson agrees to pay record $150 million settlement for failure to report suspicious orders of pharmaceutical drugs
WASHINGTON, DC – McKesson Corporation (McKesson), one of the nation’s largest distributors of pharmaceutical drugs, agreed to pay a record $150 million civil penalty for alleged violations of the Controlled Substances Act…
Strong harvest reported in Iowa and nationwide in 2016
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Corn for grain production in Iowa for 2016 is estimated at 2.74 billion bushels, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service Crop Production 2016 Summary report. This record…
Volkswagen agrees to plead guilty and pay $4.3 billion in criminal and civil penalties in conspiracy to cheat U.S. emissions tests
WASHINGTON, D.C. – VW to Pay $2.8 Billion Criminal Fine in Guilty Plea and $1.5 Billion Settlement of Civil Environmental, Customs and Financial Violations; Monitor to Be Appointed to Oversee the Parent…
Donald Trump beams as Fiat-Chrysler confirms $1 Billion in new investment and 2,000 new jobs in Ohio and Michigan
AUBURN HILLS, MICHIGAN – Fiat-Chrysler today confirmed the next phase of its industrialization plan by announcing a total $1 billion investment in plants in Michigan and Ohio, and the addition of 2,000…
Air Choice One announces EAS contract renewal for Mason City
ST. LOUIS, MO – The Department of Transportation (DOT) recently re-selected Air Choice One to provide Essential Air Service (EAS) to Mason City, IA for the next four years. Air Choice One…
Ford cancels auto plant in Mexico, will add 700 new jobs in U.S. instead
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – In a major announcement today, Ford Motor Company will not build a new plant in Mexico and will instead invest in and bring 700 new jobs here in the…
Protected: Associates of Iowa dental clinic slapped with $300K settlement for false and unnecessary procedures
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CENT Credit Union purchasing and renovating two vacant buildings in Mason City; moving two current locations
MASON CITY – CENT Credit Union is formally announcing the purchase and renovation of two vacant buildings in Mason City for use as CENT locations: The CENTer: CENT has purchased the former…
Wind turbines may have beneficial effects for crops, according to Iowa State University research
AMES, Iowa – A multi-year study led by an Iowa State University scientist suggests the turbines commonly used in the state to capture wind energy may have a positive effect on crops….
Trump says businesses who abandon U.S. for financial gain can expect “retribution or consequence”
NEW YORK – President-elect Donald J. Trump had some sobering, tough words for businesses who attempt to abandon the U.S. and fire workers, promising “retribution or consequence” for offenders. “The U.S. is…
EPA hikes renewable fuel volumes by 6 per cent for 2017
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The EPA finalized volume requirements and associated percentage standards that apply under the RFS program in calendar year 2017 for cellulosic biofuel, biomass-based diesel, advanced biofuel, and total renewable…
Chamber of Commerce “pleased” that overtime pay hike blocked for 4 million Americans
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Roughly 4 million Americans will have less money in their pockets after a federal judge approved a preliminary injunction blocking an Obama administration rule that would have extended overtime…
Bipartisan bill planned to make hearing aids more accessible and affordable
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Monday, U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) announced that they will introduce the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2016. The bipartisan legislation would make certain types…
FDA approves devices that could prevent recurrent strokes
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The FDA has approved a device made in Minnesota that could reduce the risk to people who suffer from recurrent strokes. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved…
Op-Ed: Pass the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)
From U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker At many points throughout our history, our nation has faced the choice between economic engagement or isolationism. Today, amid a heated debate over trade and…
Former crooks can look for work at two Iowa job fairs
CEDAR RAPIDS and SIOUX CITY—Two upcoming job fairs will provide individuals with a criminal record the opportunity to meet with employers willing to give them a second chance. The “Untapped Workforce” job…
Realtor Rick Mathes to flee Mason City ahead of “economic winter” he predicted
MASON CITY – Rick Mathes, a local realtor who predicted an “economic winter” for Mason City after the Prestage slaughterhouse he strongly supported was turned away, has given up on Mason City…
Ford says all production of small cars moving to Mexico
DETROIT, MI – Investors were told today by Ford Motor Company’s CEO that all small car production is heading to Mexico. It has now been widely reported that Mark Fields, Ford CEO,…
Iowa dog groomer boots pooch, busts ribs
IOWA CITY – A sordid tale of animal cruelty seems to be playing out in Iowa City, where a young man allegedly kicked a dog left in his care and caused serious…
Renovations begin at Target Center in Minneapolis
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – Starting now for the next 18 months, construction crews will improve Target Center inside and out, making the building a world-class venue for sports, concerts and other events. The…
Schoneman working to fill two Mason City shopping centers
MASON CITY – A local real estate agent is working on a brighter future for two down-and-out shopping destinations. Southport shopping center and Southbridge Mall in Mason City have seen better days. Stores…
Alliant Energy proposes rate increase in Wisconsin
MADISON, WISCONSIN – Alliant Energy, which serves customers in Wisconsin and Iowa, is proposing to adjust its rates for electricity and natural gas for 2017 and 2018 in Wisconsin in a filing…
Cerro Gordo Health Department employee earns certified infection control credential
MASON CITY – The Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. has announced that Karen Crimmings, RN, Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Service Manager with the Cerro Gordo County Department…
Dr. Ron Prestage: “Thinly-veiled racism” and “kooks” ruined his hog plant in Mason City
MASON CITY – Less than two days after a historic vote by the Mason City council which ended the prospects of his hog slaughterhouse getting built in town, Dr. Ron Prestage blamed…
FDA bans e-cig’s for minors
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The FDA today announced a new regulation restricting youth access to all tobacco products, including e-cigs, hookah and more. Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration finalized a rule extending its authority to…
HSBC Bank slapped with huge penalty due to sleazy tactics
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Reserve Board on Friday announced a $131 million penalty against HSBC North America Holdings, Inc. and HSBC Finance Corporation for deficiencies in residential mortgage loan servicing and…
Police: Beware of fake Iowa auto dealership selling cars
AMES – Police in Ames are warning of an auto dealership with a website that is attempting to sell cars – but the business doesn’t actually exist. According to the Ames police…
Girl Scouts of Iowa announces new CEO
DES MOINES – Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa recently announced that Beth Shelton will be joining the organization as the new Chief Executive Officer. Shelton has extensive experience with non-profits such as…
Wall Street oversight opponents get win with no extra funding for agency that oversees activities
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Regulation of Wall Street didn’t advance in the bi-partisan omnibus spending bill passed last week by Congress, as the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) got no funding increase. The…
Summary of $1.15 trillion bipartisan omnibus spending bill
WASHINGTON, D.C.— The federal government last week released a summary of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016, the fiscal year 2016 omnibus appropriations bill that totals $1.15 trillion in discretionary spending in compliance…
Gov. Branstad signs executive order to address cybersecurity
DES MOINES – Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today announced in their Monday morning press conference that Gov. Branstad has signed Executive Order Eighty-Seven that will combat cybersecurity threats in Iowa. …
Winnebago announces new President and CEO, expansion to Twin Cities
FOREST CITY, IOWA – Winnebago Industries, Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael J. Happe as its President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of its board of directors,…
Estate gift will allow agency to provide services for animals
CHARLES CITY – The Floyd County Community Foundation (FCCF) is excited to announce that the Floyd County (PAWS) Humane Society has started a permanent endowment fund. The endowment fund will support activities…
ISU veterinarian urges pork producers to stay vigilant as Senecavirus strain grows more prevalent
AMES, Iowa – A once uncommon virus in pigs that’s appearing this year with greater frequency should keep pork producers and local veterinarians vigilant but is no cause for panic, according to…
FDA wants to ban indoor tanning for anyone under age 18
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Big government interference or just keeping kids cancer-free? That’s the question being asked today after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) unleashed proposals to ban indoor tanning for…