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By: Channel 9 Eyewitness News (AP) A Department of Natural Resources biologist says Iowa's pheasant population likely will decline this year because of the cool and wet spring. DNR upland wildlifeMore>> DNR upland wildlife biologist Todd Bogenschutz says Iowa's pheasant population usually increases after mild winters and dry, warm springs. This year, a snowy winter was followed by record-setting cold temperatures and rain.More>> Laurel, NE Economy To Receive a Boost
By: Sam Doerr sdoerr@kcautv.com Agrex, a grain merchandising company based in Kansas is coming to Laurel, Nebraska. And by doing so they are single handedly changing the economy there. Ground was brokeMore>> Agrex, a grain merchandising company based in Kansas is coming to Laurel, Nebraska. And by doing so they are single handedly changing the economy there.More>> By: Channel 9 Eyewitness News news@kcautv.com A man in his mid 20s has slipped and fallen into the Missouri River.More>> Police have released the name of the man who was swept away in the Missouri River early Friday morning.More>> SD Domestic Abuse Law Hits Snag Over Same Sex Couples
By: Channel 9 Eyewitness Newsnews@kcautv.comPIERRE, S.D. (AP) A South Dakota legislative panel has started a study of the state's domestic abuse laws, but it has delayed a discussion on whether thoseMore>> Lawmakers could not agree on whether protections provided by the domestic abuse laws should extend to same-sex couples.More>> by Channel 9 Eyewitness News news@kcautv.com At around 12:30 this morning, authorities responded to an accident at 2001 Rebecca Street. Officer Rick Kinnaman said the driver didn't have any major injuriesMore>> Authorities responded to a roll-over crash at 2001 Rebecca StreetMore>> By Staci DaSilva sdasilva@kcautv.com A petition in front of the Iowa Department of Education right now would toughen restrictions regarding school start dates. Governor Terry Branstad said on MondayMore>> The Iowa Great Lakes loses half its revenue when school starts in August, according to its Chamber of Commerce.More>> Goat Farmers Trying Apple Cider Vinegar
By: Sam Doerr sdoerr@kcautv.com From weight-loss to cancer prevention, the benefits of apple cider vinegar are thought to be endless. And now two local farmers are trying it out on goats. A decisionMore>> From weight-loss to cancer prevention, the benefits of apple cider vinegar are thought to be endless. And now two local farmers are trying it out on goats.More>> By: Jenna Rehnstrom jrehnstrom@kcautv.com When was the last time the family had their picture taken? In this Angie's List report, more about working with a professional photographer to get that perfectMore>> When was the last time the family had their picture taken? In this Angie's List report, more about working with a professional photographer to get that perfect picture.More>> By: Channel 9 Eyewitness News news@kcautv.com DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) _ Iowa residents can get information on state parks and outdoor recreation through a new mobile app. Gov. Terry Branstad announcedMore>> Iowa residents can get information on state parks and outdoor recreation through a new mobile app.More>> PIERRE, S.D. (AP) _ A South Dakota legislative panel has started a study of the state's domestic abuse laws, but it has delayed a discussion on whether those laws should cover people in same-sex relationships. TheMore>> A South Dakota legislative panel has started a study of the state's domestic abuse laws, but it has delayed a discussion on whether those laws should cover people in same-sex relationships.More>>
By: Scott Larson
slarson@kcautv.com
The renewable energy industry has received a shot in the arm with the president signing the Fiscal Cliff bill into law. The ethanol industry was holding its breath alongside those in the wind energy sector leading up to the Fiscal Cliff. As part of the sweeping changes, critical tax credits for the ethanol industry were due to expire. But the industry received a big break when the bill was passed including those tax credits.
While the new bill will help ethanol plants continue operations, it's providing little comfort for Eamoun Byrne, the CEO of Plymouth Energy in Merrill, IA. Eamoun says, "The common theme among all the bills was the temporary nature of all of them."
Plymouth Energy is looking at expanding into cellulosic fuels, but without long–term certainty, it makes for tough decisions. The equipment to expand requires a commitment in the range of one hundred million dollars. Eamoun points to the demand for ethanol fuels as an indicator for a bright future, saying, "Ethanol is here to stay. The fuel that you and I use on a daily basis contains ten percent ethanol. We're producing in the region of thirteen billion gallons on an annual basis. That's eliminating thirteen billion gallons of foreign imported oil."
But with the lack of long–term support, things remain up in the air. Eamoun says one thing that could really help them out is a good crop of corn – it would offer greater stability after last year's drought.
