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Noon Newscast 5.21.19

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Iowa_Blacktop_7-13_(32558721424).jpg
Don Graham "Iowa Blacktop"
/
Wikimedia Commons

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has signed the “Empower Rural Iowa Act”.

She says the goal is to give all Iowans the same opportunities, regardless of where they live.

The "Empower Rural Iowa Act includes $25 million in tax credits for construction in rural communities. 

Lawmakers unanimously passed the plan.

A Democrat from Des Moines plans to run against U.S. Senator Joni Ernst.

Eddie Mauro is a businessman and former high school baseball coach. 

He announced his candidacy in his mother’s hometown of Carroll, Iowa yesterday.

Community leaders in Des Moines are continuing to oppose plans for a $137 million federal courthouse on the city's river.

They questioned the need for a new building on land the city had hoped would be used for a high-profile private development contributing to the tax base.

It has been several years since a YMCA was demolished at the site along the Des Moines River with plans for a private development.

City officials suggested other sites for the courthouse, but federal officials insisted on building on the property in the heart of downtown.

Federal officials say planning for the new courthouse is continuing.

Today’s wet weather isn’t welcome news for Siouxland farmers still trying to get their crops in the fields.

The U.S.D.A reports farmers in Iowa still lag in planting this season.

The latest crop report shows 70% of the corn crop is in the ground.  That’s 5 days behind last year and 9 days behind the 5-year average.   Twenty-percent of the corn did emerge. 

Meanwhile, 27% of the soybean crop has been planted.  That’s also behind average.

Good weather helped farmers in Nebraska get in the fields last week, but they are still behind schedule.   They also had 70% of corn planted.    For soybeans 40% of the crop is in the ground.