Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad's administration is shelling out nearly $150,000 a month for a Kentucky firm to serve as cheerleader for his "Connect Every Iowan" initiative aimed at expanding high-speed Internet service to rural communities.

A troubled eastern Iowa zoo near Manchester has been cited for three more Animal Welfare Act (AWA) violations stemming from an attempted inspection of the facility in February and a weather-shortened inspection in March by U.S. Agriculture Department veterinarians.

Quad City Times Sunday and weekday circulation continued its downward trend in 2014, according to figures in the Lee Enterprise annual report sent shareholders earlier this year.

Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. Wednesday (2/25) reported earnings of $5.4 million (13 cents per share) for the third quarter ended Jan. 25 with nearly all of its 15 gaming venues showing gains in net revenue, including increases at all three of its Iowa properties.

Lee Enterprises, Inc. – owner of the Quad City Times – reported first quarter earnings Thursday (2/5) of $10 million, down more than 17 percent for the same three months a year ago.

In a rare public discussion among Bettendorf aldermen about downtown and riverfront redevelopment, the city council and staff this week conceded they have no consensus on where they're headed and agreed to work toward a unified vision for the area.

An animal rights group has taken its efforts to close the troubled Cricket Hollow Zoo near Manchester, Iowa to the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C.