Braley criticizes biodiesel bill inaction
From the Dubuque Telegraph-Herald

Nineteen workers lost their job at the Western Dubuque Biodiesel plant in Farley this month, and plant officials are pointing the finger at Washington, D.C.

U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, visited the plant Thursday to discuss issues surrounding the biodiesel industry. Read full article…

Governor seeks federal disaster help for winter storms
From Radio Iowa

Governor Chet Culver is sending two letters to President Obama, asking for federal help for areas of the state that have been blasted with hazardous wintry weather. “The winter of 2009/2010 has already been historically severe with the highest snowfall totals in December and January since the late 1800s,” Culver says. Read full article…

All aboard
From the Ottumwa Courier

Rail travel through Ottumwa will get a little smoother thanks to millions in federal funding.

U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack announced $18,309,080 in Recovery Act money for Iowa passenger rail. The Burlington Northern-Santa Fe railway in Ottumwa — whose rails host Amtrak trains in Iowa — will receive $17,309,080 for track construction.
Read full article…

Photo from Bradlauster on Flickr.