Looking in at Iowa

From Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier via InsuranceNewsNet:

Mar. 18–CEDAR RAPIDS — Federal authorities have moved to seize about $200,000 from an insurance agent and investment broker who allegedly bilked clients out of more than $1 million. …

On Friday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Cedar Rapids entered a forfeiture action against three cashiers checks from bank accounts in the name of [Jack L.] Straw and his companies, Benefit Services Corp. and JLS and Associates. …

Gazette article here.

Cedar Rapids remains Iowa’s manufacturing leader, gaining slightly in 2007, during a time that Iowa lost 2,900 manufacturing jobs. The data is from Iowa Manufacturers Register, a reference directory published annually by Manufacturers’ News, Inc. (MNI) Evanston, IL:

According to MNI’s city data, Cedar Rapids is home to the most industrial employment in Iowa, accounting for 20,129 manufacturing jobs, up a half percent over the year. Des Moines accounts for the second most jobs in the state at 18,742 jobs, down 1% in 2007. Waterloo ranks third with 14,973 employees, up 3.6% over the year while fourth-ranked Davenport is home to 9,446 industrial jobs, down a half percent. Dubuque is home to 9,206 manufacturing jobs, down 4.1% in 2007. …

From Iowa Lottery:

Six Large Prizes Ranging from $10,000 to $400,000 Remain Unclaimed

DES MOINES, Iowa - No ticket sold in Iowa won Saturday’s $276.3 million Powerball® drawing, but several tickets sold in the state were one number away from winning it all, including a ticket sold in Maquoketa that won a $400,000 prize. …

$400,000 prize (matched the five white numbers with the Power Play)
Casey’s, 801 E. Platt St., Maquoketa …